We offer a range of diagnostic tests, and these also include diagnostic tests for mental disorders and mental health issues. One of the major tests that are done to track the progression of mental health disorders like bipolar disorders is the Serum Lithium test. The test is often done to check if the person’s blood lithium levels are within normal range or if they are unnatural.
A fluctuation in the blood serum lithium level can show that the patient might have bipolar disorder. The lithium test is also done to know if the bipolar disorder medicines administered to the person are working or not. Therefore, our Serum Lithium test is very important for monitoring the treatment of mental health patients. This is a test done after the doctor or psychiatrist recommends the test.
What is bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a condition that affects a lot of mentally disturbed people. This disorder is characterised by extreme mood swings and forgetfulness. A person with bipolarity is very whimsical and uncertain in his or her behaviour. The mood swings that people suffer from when they are bipolar can be very opposing and extreme. For example, a person can laugh in one second and then cry or scream out of agony the next.
The disorder is identified by signs of extreme mood changes from the spectrum of happy to sad. The patient might also show signs of mania and hypomania when he is bipolar. Bipolar disorder can be a very dangerous disorder, and therefore, tests are very necessary for the same. The lithium level is monitored to know if the patient's condition is deteriorating or improved. We offer lithium tests within an affordable price range for patients at risk for bipolar disorder.
Why is the Serum Lithium test important?
The Lithium blood test is done to monitor the levels of lithium in blood. Lithium is an element that is used for anti-depression and anti-psychosis treatment. However, lithium is a tricky substance because it has a narrow therapeutic range. Therefore, the patient needs regular serum lithium tests when under treatment so that lithium toxicity can be avoided in the case. Lithium toxicity can lead to many more complications and health issues in the patient.
Lithium is used to maintain the moods of the patient and keep him or her calm. Lithium is administered so that the patient does not overthink or overreact in certain situations. There is also a risk of lithium poisoning, so the doctor keeps an eye out for the signs and recommends the blood lithium test if needed. At Agilus Diagnostics, we offer Serum lithium tests so that doctors can know the dosage of lithium they can give to their patients and also monitor the effect of the medicines given to treat bipolar.
Why do you need a Lithium test?
If you are someone who is going to start medication for bipolar disorder or are undergoing treatment, you might have to go for a serum lithium test after talking to your doctor. The doctor might also ask you to take a Lithium test if you experience any symptoms of lithium poisoning and toxicity.
Too much of one element can cause complications in your body. To keep your health optimal and treat the symptoms of lithium toxicity, the doctor will have to first know about the level of lithium in your blood. You might be advised to take the Serum Lithium test if you are suffering from these signs.
Seizures
If you are getting seizures and losing consciousness quite often, it can be a sign that a lithium test is needed. If you were not prone to seizures before but now, after starting the medication, you are getting seizures, and your doctor will recommend a lithium test.
Sleepiness
Antidepressants and other mental health disorder medicines often cause sleepiness in people, but sleepiness should not be extreme. The person should be able to wake up after at least 10 hours of sleep and function normally. If the person is always feeling drowsy and struggling to concentrate on generic actions because of the medications he is taking, then there could be lithium toxicity in his blood. Therefore, the patient is recommended a blood serum test for lithium level observation.
Erratic heartbeat
If you are someone who has a healthy physical frame, even if you have had some mental health issues like depression and bipolarity and you have recently developed an erratic heartbeat, it could be in response to the high levels of lithium that you are taking in as medicine. If you see that your heartbeat is fluctuating or has sped up randomly, you should consult with the doctor. The doctor will ask you to take a lithium test at Agilus Diagnostics and also might refer you to a cardiologist.
Also Read: Depression – Stages, Types, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment
Risky behaviour
If you show any kind of poor judgement pattern again and again, which leads to risky behaviour, the doctor might examine you and then suggest a Lithium test as a follow-up. An extreme sign of bipolarity is the thought of suicide. One will not think of suicide until he has severe depression and has lost the sense of self-preservation. If you see such signs and experience such thoughts, inform your family members and go to the doctor.
Apart from these signs, the usual signs of depression, extreme mood swings, and harming behaviour to self and others can also be indications for which the Lithium test is suggested.
How is Lithium measured and interpreted in the test?
The interpretation of the Blood Lithium test needs the skills of a trained pathologist or toxicologist. The blood examination report should be seen by your doctor, and you should not self-diagnose. The safe therapeutic range of Lithium is 0.6-1.2 mEq/L. The toxicity levels of lithium in the blood are higher than these values, which will alarm any healthcare professional.
Conclusion
At Agilus Diagnostics, you can take any kind of healthcare test that relates to your physical and mental health parameters. After you are recommended for the Lithium test by your doctor, you should come to our centre with a family member and get tested for the blood serum levels of this element.
Agilus Diagnostics, a subsidiary of Fortis Healthcare Limited
