Welcome to PsychEd — the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners. This episode is an introduction to the use and monitoring of lithium in bipolar disorder. Join Tingting Yan (CC4) and Dr. Alex Raben (staff psychiatrist at CAMH and lecturer at the University of Toronto) for a lively case-based discussion.
The learning objectives for this episode are as follows:
By the end of this episode, the listener will be able to…
Describe the indications and process for starting lithium
Monitor and interpret serum lithium levels
List short and long-term adverse effects of lithium
Produced by: Tingting Yan CC4, Dr. Alex Raben (staff psychiatrist)
Hosts: Tingting Yan, Alex Raben
Audio editing by: Alex Raben
Show notes by: Alex Raben
Contents:
Learning objectives: 00:44
Lithium background and brief history: 2:48
Women’s health and lithium: 5:28
Underutilization of lithium: 8:02
Baseline blood work for lithium: 11:32
Choosing a lithium starting dose: 14:32
Lithium serum levels: 16:17
Lithium titration: 20:46
Lithium toxicity: 23:48
Lithium side effects: 26:52
Summary: 32:11
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CPA Note: The views expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of the Canadian Psychiatric Association.
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