Bipolar Support Group

How often should Lithium levels be drawn, especially at the beginning?

Good question my son takes Lithium and often wonder this same question on how often should lithium levels be drawn. Let me know if you hear anything on this or I will do the same if I hear anything first.

Thanks! Mckinneymom

my pdoc was very loose about this. He said the levels always reflect the clinical picture. In other words, if your shaking like a leaf, confused and walking into walls, the level will be high. So I had one level taken at the beginning just to see we were in the ball park (was 0.80) at 900mg. Thyroid also checked out ok. We upped the dose to 1200 and, as I feel fine, are not doing another level for the time being. I believe other pdocs are much more stringent.

ok, if it was my son, i would want something more formal

I get my levels checked every 3 or 4 months. I take 900 mgs at night. My level is 0.80

thank you for your reply...

My son started out on 600mg a day but needed to jump it up to 900 and is doing just fine today. In every person it takes a different dose. I had been wondering though is why I asked about the levels of lihium.

thanks!

Have a great day!

I'm just concerned about what mine are right now. Is asking okay?

YES<YES<YES!