Is it true that lithium can be used to treat an overactive thyroid condition?
Lithium does have effects on the thyroid that include reduction in the release of thyroid hormone release. These effects have prompted the occasional transient use of lithium in severely hyperthyroid subjects. Lithium has also been used to reduce the severity of rebound hyperthyroidism and enhance the effectiveness of radioactive iodine treatment in patients withdrawn from medications (such as PTU or methimazole) who are being treated with radioactive iodine. See Treatment with Lithium Prevents Serum Thyroid Hormone Increase after Thionamide Withdrawal and Radioiodine Therapy in Patients with Graves’ Disease. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2002 Oct 1;87(10):4490-4495.