Yup gold standard as Valentina mentioned..

I took if for a few years, Was toxic a couple times... Oooo that is so not fun , so blood work is needed to check your levels, I had it done every 3-4 months once I hit theraputic level. but while increasing I did blood work weekly, it wasnt a big deal. I ran low level at 900mg , but 1200mg a day and I was skating the "toxic line"

It caused me to break out like a 12 year old,, Sucks when your 43! I found using a retinol face cream cleared it up after a couple months. I also had some GI upset the first couple months.

Did it help my mood? Yes I was a total train wreck at the time I was desperate for help so that I could find some level ground to where I was able to learn non medications ways to help find stability.

I did decided to stop taking it due to concerns about blasting my thyroid and kidneys all to hell.