Endocrine aspects of lithium therapy in Tourette's syndrome

The use of Lithium Carbonate (Li2CO3) therapy in Gilles de la Tourette syndrome is reported in one patient. The patient, a 22-year-old male, was treated with a daily dose of 900 mg of Li2CO3 to attain therapeutic blood serum lithium concentration between 0.76 and 0.87 mEq/L. Renal function tests, urine analysis and thyroid function tests were monitored in addition to determinations of serum gonadotropins and testosterone concentrations throughout the 8 months of the study. The neuroendocrine measurements indicate blunting of Thyrotropin Stimulating Hormone (TSH) response, to Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone (TRH) stimulation test, which may be due to lithium therapy. The patient's growth and development were normal. This case represents the first report of blunting of TSH response to TRH in Tourette's disease. The fact that this disease has an onset during childhood suggests the importance of monitoring various endocrine functions during lithium therapy.