title: Effect of lithium on thyroid function in adolescents with mood disorder.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of the study was to determine thyroid gland volume and the frequency of thyroid dysfunction by using ultrasonography and laboratory parameters (TSH, T3, and T4) in long term lithium treated adolescent patients with mood disorder.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a cross-sectional study, we performed ultrasonography and thyroid function test in 30 adolescent patients on long-term lithium treatment for mood disorder. Patients with adequate serum lithium levels for one year or more were taken for the study. Ultrasonography examinations of thyroid gland and thyroid function test were performed in these patients. Patients who were on other mood stabilizers were taken up as controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels and ultrasonographically measured thyroid volume were significantly higher in patients receiving lithium in comparison to patients with other mood stabilizers. A significant positive correlation was found between total thyroid volume and TSH levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adolescent mood disorder patients on long term lithium therapy have increased thyroid volume and isolated increases in serum TSH levels compared to those on other mood stabilizers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, IMS & SUM Hospital, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. Electronic address: ratisethy@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Rati Ranjan
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Sethy
authors.affiliation: Center for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Central institute of psychiatry, Kanke, Ranchi, India.
authors.forename: Vinod Kumar
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Sinha
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018020:Lithium Compounds / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013960:Thyroid Function Tests; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects*; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D018020:Lithium Compounds; D013972:Thyrotropin