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In the present cross-sectional study, thyroid functions (viz. thyroid radioiodine uptake [RAIU] and serum T3, T4, and thyroidstimulating hormone [TSH]) were evaluated in 24 healthy controls and 132 outdoor affective disorder patients. Eleven of these patients were to receive lithium (Li) and the remaining 121 patients were at different stages of Li treatment ranging from 0.7 to 240 mo. RAIU was found to increase significantly throughout the Li therapy and was associated with the corresponding rise in TSH levels. In totality, Li treatment induced subclinical hypothyroidism in 51/132 (39%) of patients. However, 8/51 patients who belonged to known iodine-deficient belt had abnormally high TSH (range 15.2–76.0 uIU/mL), low T4 (5.3 ± 2.5 Hg/dL), and normal T3 and at least 4 of these 8 patients were clinically hypothyroid. T4 levels declined significantly ( p < 0.05) with Li treatment ranging from 61 to 240 mo as compared to the corresponding values in the pre-Li group. The T3/T4 ratio was found to be significantly higher with Li treatment ranging from 0.7 to 6 mo in comparison with the pre-Li group and this value returned to base levels after long-term Li therapy. High T3 and T4 were observed in 13% and 12% of the patients, respectively, as compared to the corresponding control values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of lead as an environmental pollutant on the I-131 uptake and retention in rat thyroid was assayed alone and in combination with lithium treatment. Lead treatment significantly stimulated the 2- and 24-h uptake of I-131 in the thyroid, and the 24-h uptake showed the maximum stimulation after 3 mo of lead treatment. On the contrary, lithium supplementation reduced the uptake significantly and the maximum decrease was noticed after 2 mo of lithium administration. Further, simultaneous lead and lithium treatment resulted in more pronounced increase in the uptake of I-131 by the thyroid, which was maximum after 3 mo of combined treatment. The thyroidal biological half-life of I-131 ( T ) was found to be increased significantly following lead and lithium treatments when given separately. Interestingly, combined lead and lithium treatment given up to 2 mo further prolonged the T of I-131, thus reflecting its increased retention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]