Above the range
Common causes of a high Lithium Level
- Dehydration or sodium depletion
- Renal impairment
- NSAID or thiazide interaction
- Overdose
Looking for the other direction? See what causes a low Lithium Level.
All tests · Therapeutic Drug Levels · Lithium Level
Above the range
What causes a high Lithium Level?
Normal range 0.6-1.2 mEq/L (0.6-1.2 mmol/L SI). Specimen: Serum (trough, 12 h post-dose). See the full Lithium Level reference page for critical values and nursing considerations.
What is the normal range for Lithium Level?
The standard teaching reference range for Lithium Level is 0.6-1.2 mEq/L in conventional units, or 0.6-1.2 mmol/L in SI units. This value is measured in serum (trough, 12 h post-dose).
| Specimen | Serum (trough, 12 h post-dose) |
|---|---|
| Conventional range | 0.6-1.2 mEq/L |
| SI range | 0.6-1.2 mmol/L |
| Critical value | > 1.5 mEq/L is toxic; > 2.0 is a medical emergency |
| Panel | Therapeutic Drug Levels |
Full details, including nursing considerations, on the Lithium Level normal range page. Reference ranges vary by laboratory, method, age, sex, and population - always use the range printed on the actual result.
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