Question:
I give Lithium Orotate to my bipolar son–along with his current regimen of vitamins and amino acids—to address his mania. It is wonderful not to have to be concerned about Lithium Orotate’s toxicity. My son’s psychiatrist is quite interested in this safer form of lithium. However, he uses blood test results to determine a “there therapeutic level” when setting dosages. Even though blood tests are not required for testing toxicity, can they be used to determine whether a patient has a therapeutic amount of the lithium in their system? Would it be the same blood test? Would the results be interpreted the same way? I would appreciate any information I can share with my son’s psychiatrist. – Debbie
Answer:
Dear Debbie, Prescription lithium, is poorly absorbed by the cells where it needs to be, to do its job. Therefore, blood levels need to be fairly, high to “drive it into the cells.” Unfortunately, these “therapeutic” blood levels are dangerously close to the toxic level. That’s why patients on prescription lithium need to be carefully monitored. The level needs to be high enough to push the lithium into the cells, but not too high to harm the kidneys and liver. However, with the Lithium Orotate, it is not necessary to reach “therapeutic” blood levels because Lithium Orotate seems to go right into the cells where it belongs, and where it can do its intended job.