INTERRELATION AMONG SERUM LITHIUM LEVELS AND BONE METABOLISM AND SOME BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS IN PRE AND POST-MENAUPOSAL WOMEN

Abstract

The target of this study is to determine the interrelation among serum Li level on bone metabolism (Ca, P, Parathormon, and Vitamin-D), sex and metabolic hormones (estrogen, FSH, LH and TSH), and some biochemical parameters in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. The study is carried out with 10 women: 5 premenopausal and 5 postmenopausal women. The serum Li levels, bone metabolism indicators (i.e., ALP, Ca, P, Mg, Cu, Zn) and some biochemical parameters such as serum tryglyceride, alkalene phosphatase, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL and cholesterol levels were determined. The estrogen blood level of women in menopause period was found to be lower than that of women in pre-menopause period (p<0.01) and the FSH level was found to be higher (p<0.01). In the lipid profile the triglyceride level in the post-menopause period was found to be low (p<0.05) and HDL (p<0.001), LDL (p<0.001) and the cholesterol levels were found to be high (p<0.001). The alkalene phosphatase (p<0.001) and Vitamin-D levels (p<0.001) were found to decrease. When the mineral levels were investigated no meaningful difference was observed in the serum magnesium and copper levels while zinc (p<0.01) and phosphorus (p<0.005) levels were observed to increase, the calcium levels (p<0.05) decreased and Li levels considerably decreased (p<0.0001). According to the results obtained it was determined for the first time that Li defficiency can be related with menopause and the related diseases and thus Li therapy can be used in developing new treatment protocols of menopause as an alternative method.