Since Dr Michael Nehls, author of The Indoctrinated Brain, recently mentioned Lithium,
I did a quick search in this old book...

The Prescription for Nutritional Healing, third edition
by James F. Balch and Phyllis A. Balch CNC
was released in November 2000.
Since this book is almost 24 years old, some of the following info may now be outdated or obsolete.
With that in mind, here is some random info being quoted from this book about Lithium...
Lithium: A trace mineral that may help depression.
Lithium, a trace mineral used as a drug to treat manic-depressive disorders, can sometimes cause thyroid malfunction.

Lithium's most important role is to prevent and decrease the occurrence of manic episodes.
Most of the following is on paper page 504...
The side effects of lithium can include diarrhoea (diarrhea), oedema (edema), frequent urination, kidney dysfunction, nausea, slight hand tremors, stomach cramps, thirst, thyroid enlargement, weight gain, and worsening of skin conditions such as acne and psoriasis. Toxic levels of lithium in the blood can cause blurred vision, confusion, muscle twitching, nausea, slurred speech, tremors, and vomiting.
Lithium levels can be elevated to dangerous levels by changes in the diet, strenuous exercise, surgery, or illness, especially influenza.
If you must take lithium, try to keep your weight at a regular level and avoid crash dieting, as lithium levels are elevated by sudden weight loss.