Vanadium and other trace elements in patients taking lithium.

The serum concentrations of 24 trace elements were measured by neutron activation analysis in 32 patients on long-term lithium treatment and 32 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Whole blood and hair samples were also taken from a number of these subjects. Compared to controls, patients on lithium were found to have a lower serum vanadium, a lower serum cobalt, and an elevated serum aluminium level. These findings are discussed.