Lithium Therapy for Mood Disorder and Effects on the Thyroid Gland
Tracking # 20-665181
Course overview
Lithium is used as a long-term therapy and treatment of bipolar affective disorder. It is also used to treat other mental illnesses such as depression and schizophrenia. Lithium is known to potentially affect thyroid function. Depending on the signals from the pituitary gland, the thyroid gland produces more or less of T3 and T4. High levels of T3 and T4 levels leads to hyperthyroidism, while low T3 and T4 in the body causes hypothyroidism. Lithium can impact thyroid function in several ways. It may increase iodine content within the thyroid gland, reduce the thyroid gland's ability to produce thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), block the release of thyroid hormones from the thyroid gland, and alter the structure of the protein thyroglobulin, which is involved in the making of thyroid hormone in the thyroid gland. Due to these effects, lithium may cause goiter as well as hypothyroidism. It is also linked to hyperthyroidism in some people, although this is rare. No Test Required!
Subject areas
This course counts toward the state boards and subject areas below.
Arkansas State Board of Nursing
Certified Nurse Midwife
Certified Nurse Practitioner
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Licensed Practical Nurse
Licensed Psychiatric Technician Nurse
Registered Nurse
Registered Nurse Practitioner
District of Columbia Board of Nursing
Certified Nurse Midwife
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Licensed Practical Nurse
Nurse Practitioner
Registered Nurse
Registered Nurse Anesthetist
Florida Board of Nursing
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
Licensed Practical Nurse
Registered Nurse
Georgia Board of Nursing
Licensed Practical Nurse
Registered Professional Nurse
New Mexico Board of Nursing
Certified Nurse Practitioner
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Licensed Practical Nurse
Registered Nurse
South Carolina Board of Nursing
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
Licensed Practical Nurse
Registered Nurse
West Virginia Board of Registered Nurses
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
Registered Nurse
Disclosure statements
Policy Statement
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the policies of NurseCe4Less.com and the continuing nursing education requirements of the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation for registered nurses.
Continuing Education Credit Designation
This educational activity is credited for 2.5 hours at completion of the activity. Pharmacy content is 2.5 hours.
Statement of Learning Need
Lithium is an effective treatment for bipolar disorder and symptoms of acute mania and depression. Clinicians need to understand lithium’s use in certain patients, its side effects and toxicity, and to recognize lithium drug effect upon body organs, such as the thyroid gland. Laboratory monitoring guidelines remain important in the use of lithium to treat a mood disorder.
Course Purpose
To provide health clinicians with knowledge of the effective uses of lithium and its effect upon the thyroid gland.
Target Audience
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, Registered Nurses, and other Interdisciplinary Health Team Members.
Disclosures
Kellie Wilson, PharmD, William Cook, PhD, Douglas Lawrence, MA, Susan DePasquale, MSN, FPMHNP-BC – all have no disclosures. There is no commercial support.