title: [Lithium-induced hyperparathyroidism].
abstract: Lithium is a medication successfully being used for the treatment of bipolar disorder. Lithium-induced hyperparathyroidism (LIH) is a little known complication that may arise due to the use of lithium. Symptoms of LIH are often similar to the underlying psychiatric illness for which lithium was indicated. It is thus difficult to differentiate between these, resulting in significant 'doctors' delay' in the diagnosis of LIH. The authors present three cases in this article. In the first case concerning a 51-year-old woman, they illustrate that LIH and subsequent hypercalcaemia are often diagnosed by coincidence. In the second case concerning a 47-year-old woman, they show that it can be quite complicated to locate the underlying aberration of the parathyroid and that medication may be an eligible alternative to surgery. In the third case, a 56-year-old woman, they show the need for cogency regarding appropriate surgical strategy as recurrences are quite common.
authors.affiliation: Universitair Medisch Centrum Utrecht, Afd. Heelkunde, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Bernard M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Houweling
authors.forename: Bas A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Twigt
authors.forename: Eline J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Regeer
authors.forename: Ralph W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Kupka
authors.forename: Gerlof D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Valk
authors.forename: Menno R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Vriens
mesh_terms: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006934:Hypercalcemia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology; D006961:Hyperparathyroidism / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D008094:Lithium / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D008094:Lithium