Posted by Ritch on April 29, 2003, at 23:38:29
In reply to How OFTEN should one have Lithium, Depakote tests?, posted by Janelle on April 29, 2003, at 13:12:00
> How often should one have blood level tests for Lithium and Depakote? My pdoc is very *casual* about this and I only get them every few MONTHS.
>
> However, I should add that I'm on low doses of each (250 mg/night Depakote, 450 mg/night Lithium Carbonate)
>
> HELP! Thanks.The only times I ever had serum levels done of lithium was when I was taking higher doses than what you are taking. Most likely, your pdoc will want "routine" levels every six months to a year just for records. I've never been anywhere near toxic on lithium blood draws over the years. There was one time where I was taking 1500mg/day and I think my blood level was around 1.0 mEQ. Lithium dosages of 600mg/day yielded serum levels somewhere between .3-.5mEQ from what I remember. Depakote-wise I don't think I ever had more than two blood pulls. The highest I ever saw was around .30mg/mL taking 500mg/day. That is barely at the bottom of the "therapeutic range" from what I understand. Taking 250mg/day I think I drew an "18" on a Depakote draw (I think that would be .18mg/mL).
poster:Ritch
thread:223178
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030429/msgs/223326.html