Nickan Research Institute Journal of Parathyroid Disease 2345-6558 4 2 2016 04 01 Hypercalcemia and hyperparathyroidism in long-term lithium administration 66 68 EN Mahrang Hedaiaty Mahsa Hedaiaty Journal Article Lithium compounds are commonly used in the treatment and prophylaxis of mood disorders, multiple sclerosis, stroke insults, neurotoxicity associated to human immunodeficiency virus and Huntington disease. Although the clinical benefit of lithium salt has known over the long term, it is related to the risk of development of numerous adverse effects such as hyperparathyroidism and hypercalcemia. The exact pathogenic mechanism for abnormality or impairment in parathyroid during lithium therapy is however unknown. Lithium-associated hyperparathyroidism is often asymptomatic. The manifestations are resulted of the detrimental effects of chronic excessive secretion of parathyroid hormone following hypercalcemia to human body tissues. The calcium, parathyroid hormone and 1,25-hydroxycholecalciferol concentrations in blood should be monitored periodically during lithium treatment. Sometimes the cessation of lithium administration does not lead to normocalcemia, thus parathyroidectomy may indicate. Psychiatrists should be noted in screening for hyperparathyroidism and hypercalcemia in their older patients taking lithium, both prior to starting administration and at least annually thereafter.