I currently take lithium and a few other meds. Recently a friend of mine who is also on lithium (and has been for many years) had her blood work show signs of kidney failure from the lithium. They are putting her on dialisus. Do I need to be concerned. My Pdoc will not take me off of this for anything and she does not do the blood test like it is supposed to be done. I can't even honestly tell you when my last lithium level was drawn. Has anyone else had issuses with kidney failure and lithium?

[gardenergirl]

I haven't had kidney issues with lithium. My pdoc does take a lithium level about once a year it seems. I'm on 600 mg along with a couple of other meds. I'm concerned that your doc doesn't check yours as it's part of the standard of care for lithium. Can you talk to your doc about this? Or maybe your GP could order the labs?

gg

[cartoonhero]

I haven't had issues with renal function, even though I have only one properly functional kidney (I have compensatory enlargement). I am on 1350mg and have blood drawn every three months to check both renal and thyroid function.

[BK68]

I was on lithium for 26 years and then developed renal failure. I have since had a kidney trensplant and now my body refuses to tolerate lithium at all. I am still searching for a med (or a combo) that will work as well as the lithium did for me.

Wow, I can't believe your doc is not checking your kidney function on lithium. When I first started on it, I was checked & it showed my cretine (sp?) levels were too high so he said to drink lots more water & he would test again. Still too high so he did an ultrasound to make sure there was not a tumor on the kidney causing the problem. No tumor so had to get off the lithium. Too bad as it did wonders for my bipolar. Then began a year long qwest for the right combo of meds that would work for me (currently take 6). Insist on the kidney function test. It says right on the insert that this should be done or ask your pharmacist.--Suzy

[BK68]

What meds are working for you? I was on lithium for 26 years and it worked great. Now I can no longer take it, and nothing seems to work for me.