phoenix, not sure if you know this but you need to make sure that they check your blood count, kidney and thyroid function and determing your medical history may request a 24hr urine test along with an ECG. These test are simply to make sure it is safe to start you on lithium. Once you start lithium at around the fifth day doctor will take a blood sampe to check the level of lithium. This test should be done after about 12 hrs of taken lithium. If level is not correct doctor will adjust lithium and in the next five days recheck. Once level has been matched blood test will be less often like two to three months. Lithium is also used to treat mania, as a mood stablizer or to boost the effect of an antidepressant.