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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Should I Ask The Psychiatrist To Discontinue Lithium Prescription And Increase Depakote As Now I Am Cured Of Renal Insufficiency?

I am a 58 year old white male. My BUN is 18. My Creatinine is 1.5. My GFR is 48. I have been told this means I have renal insufficiency. According to the WebMD article you cannot regain kidney function that you have lost. I am currently taking 600mg Lithium Carbonate. I went down from 900mg. After I did this my nephrologist told me it was cured. Now he has retired and I do not know if I should ask my psychiatrist to discontinue the lithium altogether and increase my Depakote. What do you think?
Mon, 27 Jan 2014
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Psychiatrist 's  Response
hi
thanks for using healthcare magic

I think there need to shift to other mood stabilizer. In renal failure, lithium dose is decreased which has already done in ur case. If u r maintaining well on same dose, then keep taking it. Just regular get ur serum lithium done. Level should less than 1.0 mmol Li/l,. it would decrease the chances of lithium intoxication. Rest u can discuss with ur psychiatrist.

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Should I Ask The Psychiatrist To Discontinue Lithium Prescription And Increase Depakote As Now I Am Cured Of Renal Insufficiency?

hi thanks for using healthcare magic I think there need to shift to other mood stabilizer. In renal failure, lithium dose is decreased which has already done in ur case. If u r maintaining well on same dose, then keep taking it. Just regular get ur serum lithium done. Level should less than 1.0 mmol Li/l,. it would decrease the chances of lithium intoxication. Rest u can discuss with ur psychiatrist. Thanks