Lithium-associated hypothyroidism and thyroid papillary carcinoma: a case report

Abstract

Ionizing radiation, some hereditary factors, and chronic thyroid-stimulating hormone elevation increases the risk of differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Lithium salts are used in the treatment of affective (mood) disorders as well as a variety of other psychiatric conditions. There have been occasional reports of hematologic and solid neoplasms associated with lithium use. We report a patient who developed hypothyroidism and subsequently, thyroid papillary carcinoma while on lithium treatment for bipolar affective disorder.