Feel sick but labs are ok

So I was on lithium for a year and a half, and my level came back toxic last month. I'm not sure how long I was toxic for. When they discovered I was toxic, I was sent to the ER to get an IV. After that, I got blood taken every day for a week, testing for different things like lithium level, electrolytes, and kidney function.

Around this time I started to notice differences like I was thirsty all the time, and was urinating large quantities of dilute urine. The blood labs indicated there was a problem with my kidney function, and the urine test indicated my kidneys weren't concentrating my urine.

Since then, it seems to be hit and miss. Most of the time it's the same, extreme thirst, large volume of dilute urine. But maybe once or twice a day, I'll pee and it's totally normal looking.

In addition, I feel sick. Nausea, dizziness, fatigue. I thought it was an electrolyte imbalance but I got that checked today and my electrolytes are fine.

I did a 24 hour urine test, finished that this morning, and the volume was much greater than normal (7 L in 24 hours) but my psychiatrist says the tests all came back normal.

It's frustrating to feel so worn down, I'm not sleeping at night because I'm peeing every hour, but the labs don't indicate a problem. My psychiatrist is referring me to a nephrologist, and I'm also going to talk to my endocrinologist.

Am I being a hypochondriac?

No. You obviously contracted diabetes insipidus from lithium use and they know that and are sending you to a nephrologist to confirm.

I read about nephrogenic diabetes insipidus and wanted to bring that up because it seemed to fit really well, but didn't want to diagnose myself. I thought something would show in the 24 hour urine test? The initial kidney tests said I wasn't concentrating my urine, and it still looks like that's the case, but my pdoc didn't mention it after yesterday's test. She said everything was fine. I kind of hope everything is fine, but I have a nagging feeling that it's not.

Thanks for making me feel less crazy.

I don't know what is going on for you but ... i'd keep trying to get answers and don't let anyone tell you that you are a hypochondriac
lab results don't always seem to be that helpful

You know how you feel, and you don't feel well. Just because tests haven't shown anything yet (at least as far as you've been told) doesn't mean that there's nothing wrong. I was sick for nearly 3 years before I was diagnosed with MS, and I had seen many different specialists and had many different tests duirng that time. My T and one of my docs kept encouraging me to trust that I knew what my body was saying, regardless of whether or not the docs or the tests were giving any answers. I hope you get some answers soon.

Its possible that if u still have ur gallbladder that you need to do a gallbladder/liver cleanse. ..if u are toxic that would be my first concern.

Thanks everyone. I am thankful that my psychiatrist, who caught the lithium toxicity/kidney problem, is referring me to a specialist, even though the labs aren't showing anything notable (as far as I know). In the case of diabetes insipidus at least, I've read there are more specific tests that can be done. And maybe the labs look clean to someone who specializes in psychiatry, but would show something different to a nephrologist or an endocrinologist. If it IS diabetes insipidus, that's covered by an endocrinologist anyway, so when I see mine at the end of the month, I'll see what he says.

CaptainChaos79, they tested my liver function as well as my kidney function, and the liver came back ok, it was the kidneys that came back abnormal. I'm not really experiencing any gallbladder or liver symptoms, but am definitely experiencing kidney-related symptoms. I will look into gallbladder cleanses though. Also, my levels aren't coming back toxic any more. My psychiatrist cut the dose in half and my levels dropped. It's being lowered further today. In 2 weeks I should be off lithium entirely.

It sounds like your body is obviously experiencing a problem, not just something in your head. Good luck on your future tests and I hope time "fixes" some of the problems, that your body heals itself okay. Some of these things can take a long time to get/feel right, even thought the tests all are okay.

I have an appointment with a nephrologist on May 21.

Hope they can clarify what is going on and help if there's a problem.

My urine changed from super diluted to abnormally dark (not brown, but darker than I've ever seen it) overnight. I'm a little worried now. Maybe it's returning to normal, but I've never seen it like that. I guess I'll keep watching. It doesn't sound like diabetes insipidus anymore.

Sounds like diabetes to me. I agree with the poster above.

That almost sounds like kidney failure.

Question: Have you eaten beets in the last 24 hours? That will color your urine.

I haven't eaten beets. Sounding like kidney failure is what scared me, but now it's back to super diluted again. I know what my pee normally looks like, and it hasn't looked normal for a month.

Very strange. I'm no doc, so don't quote me. Good luck with that.

Update: everything seems to be returning to normal, kidney-wise. My urine looks normal most of the time, it's more prone to being super diluted and larger volume at night, but maybe that's normal. I'm still seeing the specialist next week but I think everything's fine. Only problem is my blood pressure. It's been high for quite some time, most of my meds are known for raising blood pressure. My endocrinologist wants me to talk to my GP about blood pressure meds, but 1) I'm only 30, and 2) my GP keeps rescheduling my appointment.

Do keep us posted, TheatreKid.
I wish you well.

I'm just coming off toxic lithium level and dealing with lots of somatic malaise.
Feeling weak and wimpy as a newborn kitten. Definitely not good.