Active substances and pharmaceuticals concerned
| Name of active substance | Trade name | Affected micronutrients |
| Lithium | Quilonorm® Priadel® Lithiofor® |
Sodium Idodine |
| Name of active substance | Trade name | Affected micronutrients |
| Lithium | Quilonorm® Priadel® Lithiofor® |
Sodium Idodine |
| Mechanism of interaction | |
| Sodium | Increased intake of sodium in the form of common salt results in a reduced effect of lithium. The renal excretion is thus increased. Because sodium and lithium have the same resorption channel, lithium intoxication can also occur if the intake of sodium and fluid is too low. |
| Iodine | Thyroid function must be checked before starting lithium therapy, as the absorption of iodide into the cells is blocked by lithium. Triiodothyronine and levothyroxine are not released by adenylate cyclase inhibition. If there is a poor iodine supply, the thyroid gland is only able to produce sufficient hormones during lithium therapy by forming strum. |
| Negative consequences of the interaction | Possible symptoms | |
| Sodium | Loss of action or intoxication |
|
| Iodine | Digestive disorders |
|
| References |
| Gröber U. Mikronährstoffe. Metabolic Tuning – Prävention – Therapie. 3. Auflage, 2011 Gröber U. Arzneimittel und Mikronährstoffe. Medikationsorientierte Supplementierung. 3. Akt. und erw. Auflage, 2014. Lazarus JH. The effects of lithium therapy on thyroid and thyrotropin-releasing hormone. Thyroid. 1998 Oct;8(10):909-13. Spaulding SW et al. Effect of increased iodide intake on thyroid function in subjects on chronic lithium therapy. Acta Endocrinol (Copenh). 1977 Feb;84(2):290-6. Stargrove Mitchell Bebel, Treasure Jonathan, McKee Dwight L.: Herb, Nutrient, and Drug Interactions: Clinical Implications and Therapeutic Strategies. 2008 |