Lithium test

Avatar for schitz
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-06-2004
Lithium test
5
Fri, 05-06-2005 - 12:47pm

A friend of mine told me yesterday that I am almost certainly a "chemical" (as opposed to a non chemical who is just generally messed up...behaviourally psychologically, whatever) and he suggested that the psychs are all wrong, well misleading and that there is a test for bipolar and that your base lithium levels will tell you if you are bipolar and whether lithium will work for you. He also said that carbamezepine (and something else I can't remember) is naturally occuring in your body. I really don't think so. I tried to search on it but I really couldn't find much. He said it was an amino acid. I think what I read is that it is an amino acid transporter.

Any opinons on this?

Amanda

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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-24-2003
In reply to: schitz
Fri, 05-06-2005 - 3:29pm

Amanda:

I think your friend means well, but I don't think they have their info correct. All the lithium levels will show is what level of lithium is in your blood. The theraputic level is very small and boarders on the toxic level. Also, everything I have read, and my pdoc has said, is that BP is a physical disease. End of story. Not that it is SOMETIMES a physical disease...it IS a physical disease.

Wouldn't it be great if there WAS a test for BP - sure would make things a lot easier for many people!

You hang in there :)
Tracey

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2005
In reply to: schitz
Sat, 05-07-2005 - 2:30pm

Hello Tracey. can you tell me what are symptoms of Lithium toxicity in blood?

valerie

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: schitz
Sun, 05-08-2005 - 10:08am

Amen to that Tracey!!!!


Hugs & Positive Thoughts Always,

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: schitz
Sun, 05-08-2005 - 10:15am

  • Symptoms



    • Nausea and vomiting



    • Diarrhea



    • Weakness and fatigue



    • Lethargy and confusion



    • Tremor



    • Seizure

Physical: Depending on the degree of toxicity, the physical examination may reveal no abnormalities, subtle signs of toxicity, or overt abnormalities.

  • Mild-to- moderate toxicity



    • Generalized weakness



    • Fine resting tremor



    • Mild confusion


  • Moderate-to-severe toxicity



    • Severe tremor



    • Muscle fasciculations



    • Choreoathetosis



    • Hyperreflexia



    • Clonus



    • Opisthotonos



    • Stupor



    • Seizures



    • Coma



    • Signs of cardiovascular collapse

Hugs & Positive Thoughts Always,

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2005
In reply to: schitz
Sun, 05-08-2005 - 4:58pm

Gee whiz!! thanks! lol!

valerie