New-ish to lithium - sodium wasting

Hello All,

I'm new to the board. I'm suffering from mood swings/anxiety associated with mercury poisoning, which have left my lithium levels at rock bottom, and I'd like to start taking up to 5mg elemental lithium (in the form of orotate). However, I'm nervous to start because I'm suffering from significant sodium wasting due to poor adrenal function, and have to consume salt throughout the day to avoid dehydration and muscle twitches, etc. The information I've read says that you shouldn't take it if you have sodium wasting, because the kidneys will not excrete lithium. But I imagine this is more important for people taking much higher doses. So, I wondered if anyone had any views on this?

I once took up to 800mg carbonate many years ago, but the goalposts have moved now, and I'm nervous about ending up lithium toxic.

Also, because I'm not taking it at the behest of a doctor, lab work isn't immediately open to me. Are there any private labs that people might know about that could do blood testing for lithium?

Thanks so much for reading.

Len

Post Edited (lmm33) : 1/8/2014 7:21:02 AM (GMT-7)

Wow Len,

I'm so glad you are out there seeking ideas and advice in the hope of finding good information.

I am so surprised that you could be prescribed lithium without the monthly testing to ensure you don't get toxic. Lithium toxicity is a risk that thorough doctors in good health system pay very close attention to via regular testing - even without the extenuating circumstances you are in!

From how you have written your post it seems that poor adrenal function has created the sodium wasting problem that creates the likelihood that your kidneys will not metabolise lithium carbonate well? Am I correct?

I don't know enough about mercury poisoning but is there a next best solution that can be metabolised through the liver to help avoid exaccerbating any pre-existing kidney issues.

I hope I have understood you correctly. Please correct me if I haven't and I'd be happy to try and brainstorm possible ways to get you back healthy and fighting fit without risking worsening health.

Good luck mate.

Cheers,

Jade.

Hey,
Lithium is metabolised through the kidneys. That is why I suggested looking at options that won't exacerbate any pre-existing issues. I don't have any experience with mercury poisoning and sodium wasting, so I'm just trying to apply my lateral thinking to something I have no idea about in the hope I may help you have a brain wave with the far superior information you would have already accessed. I also have physical issues creating bipolar symptoms. My psychiatrist is extremely supportive and advocates for my genetic metabolic issues to be managed by the health system. No, we haven't go anywhere, but gee it makes a difference having that support and another trained, knowledgeable brain to bounce ideas of. Moreover, she is so empathetic to my suffering and is wonderful at validating and encouraging me. We all need cheerleaders. My GP is the same. These are not the first doctors I came across. I had to seek out doctors who would challenge me and value add to my own efforts. I have met very good doctors who didn't quite have that fire in the belly and I refused to let myself be put in the too hard basket. I just kept asking people if they knew any good doctors. That is how I found my GP. My psychiatrist was just a happy fluke from an internet search after saying no to a series of pdocs who didn't cut the mustard. I don't mean to sound haughty. We have to be focussed and resilient to prevail when it comes to the more obscure and sometimes expensive to treat illnesses. Always stick to what has empirical evidence to make it regarded the most effective rather that getting sidetracked by kooks with the sole agenda of separating you from your money. Good luck and keep us posted. I'm intrigued by your journey... also it is difficult to find places to post for physical illnesses creating bipolar symptoms and I've never been pulled up for posting here, so I hope that may make you feel more at ease :). Keep up the good fight!