Hi I am 64 year old male have been diagnosed with Bipolar for 30 years, for the last 25 years I have been on Lithium Carbonate 800mg, and since September I have taken 600mg per day.
I visited my PDoc in September, I had a decrease in memory. He tested my memory and decided there was not a problem and put my memory down to anxiety. However whilst there he wanted to check my last lot of serum levels so rang through, it had been 6 months since a blood test and my serum level had been at 0.9. He decided that because of my age he wanted to decrease the Lithium and get my range between 0.4 and 0.6 so decreased the Lithium to the 600mg I take now, then I was to have a blood test again after 4 weeks. The blood test was taken and my serum level went up to 1 I am slightly confused by this, as you would naturally suspect if you decrease the Lithium your serum levels would decrease. I then wondered if my memory problems and other problems were because I have in fact been suffering long term toxicity (well long term in 6 months). My other symptoms have been a pain in my back, around the kidneys but it does in fact move to other areas in my lower back, the pain is intense. I also have a decreased urine output. I read that I am supposed to be drinking a lot more than I have over the last 25 years, and wondered if this may be a cause of my back pain, the only thing that is confusing me is the pain does move at times but always lands back around my kidneys. I have not had any specific bloods done to check this, however my urine was checked for infection and was said to be fine should this mean there is nothing wrong? I also have a fine tremor in both hands, and my eye sight has deteriorated. My Lithium use has caused hyperthyroidism and I now have diabetes also. I have various other problems that I have not contributed to Lithium but am now wonder, I have a feeling of weakness in my body and also am always tired and fall asleep easily. I certainly am not toxic with a serum level of 1 but what could be the symptoms of the result of having been toxic? Should I be concerned or am I worrying needlessly.
Long Term Lithium Side Effects
Posted - 12/28/2012 : 15:54:00
