Lithium effects on calcium, magnesium and phosphate in man: effects on balance, bone mineral content, faecal and urinary excretion

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Abstract
Calcium, magnesium and phosphate metabolism was studied in lithium‐treated patients, using a metabolic balance technique. Two groups of patients participated in the study: 1) Patients who were to start on a prophylactic lithium treatment, and 2) Long‐term lithium‐treated patients whose treatment was to be terminated.Lithium treatment produced a positive balance in both calcium, phosphate and magnesium. By continuous lithium treatment the effect on magnesium wore off, whereas the effect on calcium and phosphate persisted. In urine, lithium induced a decrease in both calcium and phosphate excretion, whereas the excretion of magnesium was increased. Bone mineral content was measured by photon absorption, and lithium treatment resulted in a decrease in bone mineral content occurring within the first 6 months of lithium treatment. In the patients, bioavailability of the Li2CO3 preparation was found to be about 95 %, and the patients contained about one 24‐h dose of lithium just before the next dose of lithium was administered.

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