Lithium Determination Helps Optimize Treatment and Avoid Toxicity

A new and improved kit is intended for the quantitative in vitro determination of lithium in serum and is suitable for use on a wide range of clinical analyzers.

The new reagent is liquid stable for ease of use and offers an improved open vial stability of 14 days at 10 °C. Other features include a wide measuring range of 0.281 mmol/L - 3.00 mmol/L, precision, traceability to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST; Gaithersburg, MD, USA) reference method, and limited interference from bilirubin, triglycerides, and hemoglobin.

Lithium has a narrow therapeutic and toxic range--it causes kidney damage in some patients. It is important to monitor lithium levels in serum to optimize the therapeutic effect and ensure compliance.

Frequently used as a mood stabilizer in the treatment of bipolar disorder, lithium carbonate acts by enhancing reuptake of neurotransmitters and reducing their concentration in the neuronal junction. The result is a sedating effect on the central nervous system (CNS).

A product of Randox (Crumlin, UK) the lithium kit augments a wide range of tests for monitoring the use of drugs with very small therapeutic ranges. The company's assays include digoxin, gentamicin, phenytoin, theophylline, valproic acid, phenobarbital, and carbamazepine.

Randox also provides therapeutic drug quality controls, which are 100% human in origin and contain a comprehensive menu of 18 analytes. They have accurately assigned method specific target values and ranges quoted for the most common instruments and methods.

Related Links:
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Randox