lithium levels

[Beetzart]

I got my lithium levels a couple of weeks ago and the doc said they are too low; I take 600mg. The pdoc said this shouldn't be the case as 600mg should give a thearaputic level and he said I can't be taking my med properly!

I am taking it correctly; every night at around 10pm. I always assumed 600mg was quite low for lithium, is this the case?

Cheers

[sorrel]

That is a strange statement from him -- first of all the relationship between levels and dose varies somewhat for each person, and furthermore 600mg IS a low dose. Most often people take 900-1200mg.

[blackbird]

600mg is low, I am only beginning to get therapeutic levels at a dose of 1000mg

blackbird x

[witchywoman]

I find that odd too. At 600mg my level was .6. He moved me up to 900mg because of some depression and now my level is .8. I've seen people here taking more lithium with the same level as me. It does vary person to person.

[steves]

i take 900-1200. I am at 900 now haven't had a level in a while but last time it took to 1200 to get right.

[DarkendHour]

my level is low at 1200mg a day.... started on 1350 a day.. but had to go back for insurance reasons... so I don't know what my level is at 1350 yet.

Different people need different amounts.. even the same person can need different amounts throughout their life.

Edit = hit the wrong number button lol

[Guest]

A therapeutic blood level is between 0.5 and 0.8. Above 0.8 and it's toxicity levels.

It's worth checking what mg you're prescribed, and what mg your tablets are. I take 800mgs but it's two 400mg tablets. Could you be taking too few tablets by mistake?

It's worth checking that you are eating enough, drinking enough and you're not under the weather with any infections etc that might be messing with your levels.

[AnneMarie]

To my knowledge, toxicity starts over 1.2 serum level. My regular level is between .8 - 1.1, depending on dosing and the phase of the moon or whatever. My doc gets nervous and reduces my dose when it goes over 1.0, but I've yet to have any real toxicity symptoms.

[sorrel]

In the US the official "therapeutic range" is 0.6 to 1.2.

I have had a level of 1.2 and was totally fine, FWIW.

[crazynotstupid]

And I've had symptoms of toxicity while at 900 mg and was very likely in the therapeutic range as none of my levels had ever shown me going near a toxic range. Just goes to show. The diabetes likely doesn't help though.

#1 I think your doc is a dip and #2 you might try splitting your dose if that is possible.

[leadinglady]

I was told today by the psych nurse that normal lith levels are 0.5 to 1.5 and I'm at 0.9. I also have nystagmus. Am I toxic and they are ignoring it or what?

[whoamihere]

I take 1350 mg of Eskalith CR per day and my levels are around 0.8 I would definitely get a second opinion if I were you, what your doc is telling you just doesn't make sense based on what you've said in your post.

[crtclms]

There used to be a belief that lithium levels had to be over 1.0 to be effective, but that has been debunked. The psychiatric nurse is not current on the literature. Levels as low as .4 have (rarely) been effective. My dad really prefers his patients not to go over .9. But there are always outliers, who can handle higher levels, or who are treatable with very low levels. I think your p-doc is jumping the gun.

[papertrees]

I took 900mg two years ago and my serum level was 0.9. Now, I'm taking the same amount, and my level is 0.5. So what gives? I do not understand why this is so... Nothing changed. My weight, diet and physical activity have remained the same. Anybody have a clue?