Thread: Lithium levels
View Single Post
 
Old Sep 21, 2015, 09:50 PM
BeyondtheRainbow's Avatar
BeyondtheRainbow BeyondtheRainbow is offline
Legendary
 
Member Since: Apr 2015
Location: US
Posts: 10,160
They'll probably determine how often you are tested based on where your levels are at the prior test. With doses like that I'd guess you'll be on the high side but it's all very individual so if you really metabolize it fast then you could be mid-range or low.

You should always request a level be done if you have any symptoms of toxicity that can't be explained otherwise (or that can be but seem to go on too long or that concern you--trust me because I didn't and I was going in and out of toxicity for 6 months before we caught it and I was very sick that whole 6 months). Things to watch for are increase nausea/vomiting, unsteady gait, balance problems, slurred speech, trouble talking (I had trouble finding words every time I was toxic), increased thirst, headaches, diarrhea. I also had hallucinations once when my levels were really high and fortunately my pdoc realized that it was most likely from the lithium and sent me to the medical ER instead of psych.

The lab will release the levels to your dr. Different drs do things differently; some call with results regardless of whether they are normal and some will only call if they are abnormal. You can always call and ask for the results and I'd recommend this. If you keep track of your levels with each blood test then you'll be able to say "I'm feeling this and my last level was this, could we do a level to be sure?" and sound like you know what you are asking for.

Levels can vary; we just were talking about this. I was on a low dose, just 650 mg/day of lithium for years after my 2nd toxicity. My levels were usually .4-.6. I didn't get tested with the 3rd toxicity but I'm sure they were quite high based on how scary sick I got. Just a couple months before my levels had been .8 which we didn't worry about since I wasn't having symptoms and it was completely within the range of normal. But obviously things were creeping up and we should have done labs again sooner than planned. (I think I was due for them and waiting to get to the hospital at the 12 hour mark when the toxicity happened).

It does get easier as you get used to it and hopefully you'll never deal with a toxicity.
__________________
Bipolar 1, PTSD, GAD, OCD.
Clozapine 250 mg, Emsam 12 mg/day patch, topamax 25 mg, ,Gabapentin 1600 mg & 100-2 PRN,. 2.5 mg clonazepam., 75 mg Seroquel and 12.5 mg PRNx2 daily