Side Effects of Lithium

The Principle of Balance in Nutrients

The famous quote by Renaissance physician Paracelsus, “All things are poison / and nothing is without poison / the dosage alone makes it so a thing is not a poison,” highlights the importance of maintaining a balance in all things for good health. This principle applies to nutrients as well, as straying beyond the optimal range can have serious consequences. All nutrients, including lithium, can be toxic when taken in excess or lead to deficiency when taken in insufficient amounts.

Lithium: A Powerful Promoter of Health

Lithium is an essential micronutrient that promotes health when taken in trace quantities or at “nutritional” dose ranges. However, at large pharmaceutical doses, such as those used to treat bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and psychosis, lithium can have side effects and be toxic if dosages exceed prescribed amounts. Patients taking lithium carbonate must be closely monitored and undergo routine blood testing due to the potential for kidney damage, blurred vision, muscular weakness, and thyroid issues.

The Safety of Lithium Orotate

In contrast, lithium orotate has a dose ranging up to a maximum of 30mg/day and is safe and well-tolerated with minimal-to-nonexistent side effects. At this “nutritional” or low dose range, lithium orotate is among the more effective treatments currently available for a wide range of mental health conditions. It is a natural tool in the modern therapeutic arsenal that can confer tremendous benefits and is often used in clinical practice.