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Understanding lithium lab results

Caregivers: Dementia | Last Active: 5 hours ago | Replies (7)

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@annedallas wrote: "...lithium level to be "under 0.3 L" and the reference range to be "0.6-1.2 mmol/L"..."

@memoriestomoments helpfully replied: "...LO is most likely 0.3 mmol/L under the lower end..."

I'm quite surprised to see no further discussion about this. Many comments here on Mayo Connect address the chance that Lithium level in the brain may both cause and cure MCI and Alzheimer's (see the other Connect topics and google this: harvard 2025 alzheimer's).

Having read the two comments above, I'm curious if Lithium Orotate (LiO) dose could be adjusted based on the target range. I was unclear whether the fluid mentioned is blood or spinal fluid, so I asked Google Gemini and got this:
"A target range of 0.6 - 1.2 mmol/L (often also expressed as mEq/L) refers to blood (specifically serum or plasma) when monitoring the concentration of the medication lithium. This specific range is used for psychiatric maintenance therapy to ensure the drug is effective at stabilizing mood while avoiding dangerous toxicity. The optimal target within this window depends on the individual and the condition being treated."

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Replies to "@annedallas wrote: "...lithium level to be "under 0.3 L" and the reference range to be "0.6-1.2..."

I find it very interesting that taking 20 mg a day LiO resulted in blood lithium below the normal range! I read that the blood draw should be done 10-12 hours after the last dose. How much does it fluctuate? Are those of us taking it taking the right dose? I believe the "mouse data" translated to human dosage was 12 mg per day. My LO has an appt with her neurologist in Oct. I'm going to request a blood test. She's been taking 10 mg a day for 11 months with no improvement in her condition. In fact her short term memory has continued to deteriorate. Are there reports from anyone else?