Ministry of Health in Gaza conducts a lithium toxicity examination to maintain the health of psychiatric patients
According to Dr. Yahya Khader, head of General Administration of Psychiatric Health, Ministry of Health in Gaza announced that the ministry has begun conducting a lithium toxicity examination for psychiatric patients in the Al-Rantisi Children’s Hospital laboratory to maintain the health of psychiatric patients during the past year 2019, to control the drugs that are followed within the patient treatment protocol.
He noted that this examination is not available in private laboratories because it is rarely used except in the case of psychiatric patients.
Dr. Khader added that the element of lithium is used in the preparation of multiple drugs and medications, mainly in the treatment of some mental illnesses like bipolar, depression and schizophrenia. Although lithium is effective in treating these psychological diseases and reducing their severity, it has serious side effects on the kidneys and thyroid gland, so lithium toxicity examination in the blood of those who undergo lithium treatment should be done regularly.
