Lithium distribution ratios in psychiatrically normal subjects.

Lithium was administered as the carbonate to 6 psychiatrically normal subjects for 11 days. The distribution of lithium between the erythrocytes and plasma, and the effect of exogenous lithium on intracellular and extracellular electrolytes was studied. The ratio of the concentrations of lithium in the erythrocytes and plasma was apparently lower in the normal group than in the patients diagnosed to have affective disorders.