My pdoc is leaving, so I asked for a lithium level check. I got the results online and while the lithium is low because I've been cutting down, the kidney function is also low, for the second time in a row. The lab notes state that a level below 60 twice in 3 months could indicate stage three kidney disease.

Question:

Is this concerning? My pdoc was out all last week and not back until Tuesday. I will email her about this then, but in the meantime, how much should I worry?

Also, if it is concerning, and I stop taking lithium, will kidney function return to normal?

Please note if you have had experience with this, as opposed to if it's something you've only read about. Thanks!

[~Christina]

Its very concerning. My renal function was just under the okay line, I called my Pdoc, he told me to stop Lithium and we would retest in a week. I did and the following tests showed everything looked good. I did go back on slowly and had blood tests weekly for at least 2 months ( My request). I did decided to go off Lithium lil bit down the road. I was concerned of possible long term renal damage.

Are you drinking enough fluids daily? If your not getting enough it can show up in the renal testing.

Let your Pdoc know.

Thank you Christina. I drink a lot of water. Close to a gallon a day. The low levels have come in the past two tests--December and now February. I may skip the next few days until I hear from my pdoc.

Did you end up finding a good substitute for lithium? It's been the one that's worked the best for me, but no way am I risking kidney failure.

[~Christina]

I was also on Lamictal , but that really only helps the depressive end of things.

I just went med free a few months sooner than I actually planned.

[Hexagram]

I had to stop taking lithium due to decreased kidney function several years ago. I switched to Depakote and haven't had any issues with my kidneys since.

My husband actually went into kidney failure from lithium, had to have dialysis, was in ICU, and his kidneys recovered nicely with no long- term damage. No more lithium, that's for sure, but the good news is that it is recoverable.

[TRNRMOM]

i was on 450mg. lithium for 35 yrs. and had renal issues about a yr. ago. got off it completely. kidneys are improved. read up on lithium toxicity and everything you need to know about lithium and kidney damage is there.

[Blue_Bird]

Lithium shut my kidneys down when it got to a toxic level, was in the ICU for a week and on dialysis. They're back to normal now, I'm probably lucky it didn't do any permanent damage.

Wow--thanks so much for your replies, everyone. This is incredibly helpful. Looks like no more lithium for me. I'm not going to mess with it, not when I've taken every precaution.

I never had problems with it personally, but after seeing what it did to my husband, I absolutely refuse to ever go back on it again. Just not worth the risk. I like my kidneys.

[jesusplay]

I recommend you see your primary care doctor.

Thanks. My pdoc gets back on Tuesday. I will email her. Even so, I fully participate in making these decisions and often get better information from those with first hand experience than the professionals.

Many years ago, I took effexor when it was still fairly new and my then pdoc insisted that my symptoms (brain zaps and shivers, eyeballs clicking) were not from withdrawal, but the internet boards were hot with reports of that rotten drug. Now, of course, the docs admit there are nasty withdrawal effects for some people. And that is just one reason I make my own decisions about these things. The lab rats always know before anyone else.

[bipolar2007]

How long was your husband on lithium?

Originally Posted by bipolar2007

How long was your husband on lithium?

I'm guessing you are asking me?

My husband had been on lithium for several years. He was being monitored, etc., but he also has some complex medical issues and while they don't really know what went awry, his kidneys started failing so his lithium level increased because they weren't filtering his system like they should. I started noticing odd physical and behavior changes (severe tremors, confusion) and I called his pdoc. She had me take him immediately to the ER and bloodwork showed his lithium level was 3.3 (.8-1.2 is normal therapeudic range). They put him on dialysis that night and he was in the ICU for 8 days. He went into psychosis because the dialysis pulled all meds off his system so quickly. It was awful and traumatic and not something I ever want to go through again.