The window between the therapeutic dose of lithium and the toxic dose is almost vanishingly small. Differences in physiology may mean that what's the proper dose for one person is toxic for another.

If you or someone you care for is taking lithium for bipolar disorder, it's essential to know not just the symptoms of lithium intoxication, but also what circumstances are most likely to lead to it.

Lithium poisoning is no joke. When it's properly and promptly treated, most people recover with no aftereffects. But if it's not treated, or if treatment is delayed too long, it can have permanent consequences or lead to death. Read this vital information on Lithium Toxicity.

Photo: wonderferret / Flickr

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Learn more or join the conversation!
_{NEWSLETTER | FORUM | BIO | FACEBOOK | TWITTER}
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Bipolar depression expresses itself in dozens of ways. One group of symptoms comes under the heading of emotional pain - the sadness, guilt feelings, helplessness and other feelings that contribute to the misery of depression.

These symptoms aren't unique to bipolar depression or major depressive disorder by any means. Take a look at how this cluster of symptoms fits into the overall diagnosis of a bipolar depressive episode:

Emotional Pain in Bipolar Depression

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Learn more or join the conversation!
_{NEWSLETTER | FORUM | BIO | FACEBOOK | TWITTER}
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

A new review published today in The Lancet found that in addition to the known potential for causing weight gain, taking lithium may increase the activity of the thyroid and parathyroid glands. Because of the increased risk for hyperparathyroidism, it is now recommended that doctors check blood calcium levels, an indicator for parathyroid activity, before beginning lithium therapy and periodically while the patient is taking lithium.

Lithium is a first-line treatment for bipolar disorder and may be used as add-on treatment for major depression.

The review found that patients taking lithium gained more weight than those taking a placebo, but less than those taking Zyprexa (olanzapine).

For more information:

• Lithium Drug Profile
• Hyperparathyroidism
• Hyperthyroidism

_{Source:
McKnight, R, et al. Lithium toxicity profile: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet. 20 Jan 2012}

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Learn more or join the conversation!
_{NEWSLETTER | FORUM | BIO | FACEBOOK | TWITTER}
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

You might need this information in a compact form that guides you through the basic information about bipolar disorder because you're newly diagnosed. You might need it because someone in your family has been diagnosed, or you've just learned that a friend, someone you're dating, or someone you work with is bipolar. You might even be writing a term paper on bipolar disorder. No matter what the reason, you want to learn about BP from the ground up - so I've put together one page that will guide you through the first steps to knowledge.

This will be a series of walk-through pages, and by the time you've gone through them all, you'll have a strong understanding of what bipolar disorder is, the symptoms, the moods, the complexities and more. Watch this blog for the next in the series!

Get Started: Introducing Bipolar Disorder

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Learn more or join the conversation!
_{NEWSLETTER | FORUM | BIO | FACEBOOK | TWITTER}
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .