Learn More About Lithium Orotate

Like any medicine or substance in the natural world, awareness and care must be taken when taking herbal and mineral supplements. Lithium orotate is an extremely powerful naturally-occurring chemical, and therefore one must be educated as to the possible side effects of taking it. While we should be aware of these side effects, they are not usually common, and can also be controlled through dosage.

Dosage: Common dosages of lithium range from 120mg to 450 mg. Lithium orotate requires a lower dosage. It is recommended to start with a low dose, and to slowly monitor any side effects before increasing the dosage. What is more, side effects tend to disappear with sustained use of lithium orotate, and reputable sources state that side effects tend to be minimal, and are rarely a cause to discontinue to the use of the substance.

Possible Side Effects of Lithium Orotate

Lithium side effects may include, but are not limited to: hand tremors, nervous tics, frequent urination, excessive thirst and/or nausea, sensations of apathy, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach irritation and general loss of appetite.

Mood changes: Lithium is a mood stabilizing agent, and therefore, any changes in mood should be monitored.

In extreme circumstances, drowsiness, muscular weakness, poor coordination, ringing in the ears. and/or blurred vision. Patients with bipolar illness may also experience weight gain, mental sluggishness, problems with memory, or the development of skin conditions, such as psoriasis and acne.

Blood poisoning is also a big concern with lithium, but is more likely in prescribed brands than in over-the-counter lithium orotate. Prescribed brands have higher amounts of the drug in each dose, and are usually not in the form of orotate, meaning that the absorption rate is low, and therefore higher levels of lithium are needed to offer the desired effect. In this sense, lithium orotate is much safer than offer forms of lithium because they are not as concentrated.

Because of the possibility of blood toxicity, consult a health practitioner before taking lithium. Similarly, it is usually recommended that one should have their blood drawn regularly to monitor lithium levels in the blood stream. Plasma concentrations below .5-.6 mEg/l show little side effects. Concentrations from 1.0 onward usually lead to more intense side effects, and levels above 2.0 can even be fatal.

If taking lithium for an extended period of time, one should be aware of the possibility of developing hypothyroidism, a condition where kidney functioning is impaired from removing substances out of the blood. Again, this is more the case when taking non-orotate forms of lithium, due to absorption capacities.

Avoid taking lithium orotate completely if:

• You have a prescribed mental imbalance such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. In these cases, first consult with your health care provider for more information.
• You are pregnant or nursing.
• You have renal or cardiovascular diseases.
• You suffer from severe dehydration or exhaustion.
• You have recently experienced sodium depletion.
• You are taking diuretics or ACE inhibitors.
• You have Addison’s disease or any form of kidney disease

Dealing with Lithium Side Effects

Frequent urination can be remedied by taking lithium only once, as opposed to several times throughout the day. If you experience excess thirst, drinking more water can help. Stomach irritation can be remedied by only taking lithium after meals. Stay very hydrated while taking lithium. Avoid taking other medications that dehydrate the body, such as ibuprofen.

~Dr. G

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