The British Journal of Psychiatry 130: 148-150 (1977)
© 1977 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
Usefulness of saliva lithium estimation
A Verghese, N Indrani, K Kuruvilla and PG Hill
Estimation of lithium in 24 samples of serum and saliva show that there is
a very high correlation between the lithium levels in serum and saliva (r=
+ 0-88). The ratio found in our patients is very similar to that reported
from North America. Estimation of lithium in saliva at different periods of
time show there is a good degree of stability for saliva lithium levels.
Thus saliva can be used as a substitute for serum for lithium monitoring.
The practical advantages of this are discussed.