[Hyperparathyroidism induced by lithium. A new case].
BACKGROUND
Lithium salts, used for the first time in 1949, had proved to be a highly effective preventive measure in bipolar illness. The first report of lithium-induced hyperparathyroidism was suggested by Garfinkel et al. in 1973. About 40 cases have been reported since, suggesting an enhancement of occurrence of hyperparathyroidism in patients cured by lithium carbonate. We report here a new case discovered by a systematic measurement of calcemia after a surgical intervention for a hip joint prosthesis.


METHODS
Unusual metabolic features associated with this case of hyperparathyroidism include low urinary calcium excretion, normal cyclic AMP excretion and lack of calcic nephrolithiasis. The mechanism probably results from lithium linking with the calcium receptor on the parathyroid and then stimulating PTH secretion. In the same way it could enhance the tubular reabsorption of urinary calcium. Lithium withdrawal is often inefficient in clinical and laboratory test abnormalities and surgery is usually required.


CONCLUSIONS
It is very important to recognise this particular secondary effect of lithium therapy because clinical symptoms of hypercalcemia can simulate a worsening of the bipolar illness.
Pieri-Balandraud
N
N
Service de rééducation fonctionnelle, hôpital Renée-Sabran, boulevard Edouard-Herriot, 83406 Giens, France.
Hugueny
P
P
Henry
J F
JF
Tournebise
H
H
Dupont
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D006961:Hyperparathyroidism / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism; D016651:Lithium Carbonate / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000097:blood
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D018692:Antimanic Agents; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D016651:Lithium Carbonate; D002118:Calcium