How does salt intake affect lithium levels?

Salt consumption can cause fluctuations in serum lithium levels. While taking lithium, do not make sudden changes to your salt intake. A sudden decrease in sodium intake (a component of salt) may result in higher serum lithium levels, while a sudden increase in sodium might prompt your lithium levels to fall.

Why does sodium affect lithium?

Sodium restriction enhances the renal tubular reabsorption of lithium (20), thus leading to potentially toxic serum levels of lithium. Serum potassium concentrations can have variable effects on serum lithium levels.

How does water intake affect lithium levels?

Because lithium is a salt, it’s dissolved in the body of water. Now if the person’s dehydrated or if they take medications that reduce the body water, then the lithium levels can go up. So it’s important that the amount of lithium in a person’s body be monitored by a simple blood test.

Does low sodium cause lithium toxicity?

Hyponatremia is a facilitating factor of lithium intoxication. Serum sodium levels should be regularly checked with serum lithium.

Do you limit fluid intake with lithium?

In addition, high fluid intake may increase lithium excretion. It is recommended that patients taking lithium maintain consistent dietary sodium consumption and adequate fluid intake, during the initial stabilization period and throughout treatment .

What can affect lithium levels?

Less salt can make your lithium levels rise, while increasing your salt intake can cause it to fall. Caffeine intake. Caffeine found in coffee, tea, and soft drinks may have an effect on lithium levels. Less caffeine can cause your lithium levels to rise, while more can cause it to lower.

Why is fluid intake important with lithium?

Both salt and fluid can affect the levels of lithium in your blood, so it’s important to consume a steady amount every day.

Does lithium salts cause water retention?

Lithium often triggers increased thirstiness. Quenching your thirst with high-calorie beverages, such as full-calorie soda or fruit juice, is a possible contributor to weight gain. Lithium might also cause sodium and water retention in people who consume a high-salt diet, which can lead to added bodyweight.

What can elevate lithium levels?

Volume depletion from diuretics, dehydration, febrile illness, or gastrointestinal loss can lead to elevated lithium levels in the serum[9]. The serum elimination half-life of lithium can vary from 12 to 27 hours.

What happens if lithium levels are too low?

At a level of 1.2 mEq/L, lithium can start to cause problems. If your levels are too high, you could get lithium poisoning and need treatment right away. Too much lithium can be fatal. If your levels are too low, the medicine may not help your condition.

How do you stay hydrated when taking lithium?

Ensure you keep adequately hydrated while taking lithium and maintain an adequate salt intake (your doctor will discuss this requirement). The risk of side effects of lithium is increased if you are dehydrated, or if you are excessively hydrated.