Why is it important to detect lithium in biological samples?

In biological samples, it is important to detect lithium properly in order to diagnose lithium poisoning. Specifically, healthcare workers measure the amount of lithium in an individual's blood to determine if they are experiencing lithium toxicity or not. It is also important to detect lithium levels if an individual is taking lithium as a treatment for bipolar disorder. This is because levels of lithium are affected by each person’s metabolism and other factors differently, and doctor’s must ensure that the correct dosage is being given for each patient. Specifically, blood  sampling of lithium should be carried out 1 week following the first dose, then weekly in the first month, and once a month in the following 3-6 months.