[Lithium carbonate-induced hyperparathyroidism in a patient after removal of a parathyroid adenoma]

Lithium compounds are widely used and effective drugs in the treatment of mood disorders. However, despite their efficacy, the use of lithium salts is limited by their narrow therapeutic window. Treatment with lithium salts may be associated with the risk of development of numerous adverse effects. Endocrine complications include: thyroid dysfunction, nephrogenic diabetes insipidus and hyperparathyroidism. Because symptoms of lithium-induced hyperparathyroidism may resemble those of the underlying disorder, hyperparathyroidism sometimes remains undetected. The pathogenic mechanism for parathyroid dysfunction in lithium-treated patients is still unclear. We report a patient who had undergone removal of a parathyroid adenoma and later developed lithium-induced hyperparathyroidism. Cessation of lithium treatment normalised parathyroid function.The described case suggests that patients with preexisting parathyroid disorders may be particularly susceptible to the development of lithium-induced hyperparathyroidism.