Lithium Supplementation

[LukeMV]

This link sent me to an error page

[DrT]

Well just search on Google Scholar “Lithium” AND “Strawbridge” as author.

Jeez…I’m not going to spoon feed you!!

[LukeMV]

@DrT

Strawbridge, R., Young, A.H. Lithium: how low can you go?. Int J Bipolar Disord 12 , 4 (2024)

You’re right. Thanks for sharing. This is certainly helpful.

fixed link here Lithium: how low can you go? - PMC (nih.gov)

[Neo]

I haven’t read that paper (yet), but do note that goals for bipolar disease even at the low end might be higher than what you want for longevity. See e.g. posts by john hemming on the topic on the forum and/or see how low Bryan Johnson’s dose it.

[DeStrider]

I felt that there was a bigger impact at 5 mg vs 1 mg. Of course, it could all be the placebo effect, but when dealing with a psychological effect in the first place, it may be an important part of the supplement.

[John_Hemming]

WNT is not necessarily psychological. I did notice a buzz from starting Lithium, however.

[LukeMV]

So I just did a lithium blood test. It is called “Lithium (Eskalith R) Serum”

My result is LOW <0.1. The reference range is 0.5-1.2nmol

Was that the correct test and does that mean I should supplement with lithium orotate, and if so, how much should I take?

[John_Hemming]

I would be surprised if the range is nano moles.

Lithium (Eskalith(R)), Serum » Pathology Laboratories » College of Medicine...

[LukeMV]

Actually now that I think of it, the lab range is probably for people who take lithium medication, right?

[Neo]

@LukeMV

the lab range is probably for people who take lithium medication, right?

That it what people discussed earlier on the forum

[Neo]

Any response to @John_Hemming ’s question about your units

[LukeMV]

Sorry I double checked. The lab range/result is in mmol. Not nmol

[DeStrider]

Either way, supplementing with 5 mg of lithium orotate probably won’t be bad for you. The Double wood brand is 5 cents a capsule. So 1.50 for a month.

[John_Hemming]

Thanks. Generally tests I have seen cannot measure much below 50-100 microMolar. Being as I am to be something in the sub 50 micro molar range that is a bit of a nuisance, but as yet this is an inexact science anyway.

[LukeMV]

Ok I’m ordering it. I’ve dosed 1-5mg before but only stopped a couple months ago so I’ll hop back on.

[adssx]

Some tap water studies contradict others, for instance: Low‐level lithium in drinking water and subsequent risk of dementia: Cohort study 2023

Lithium levels were positively associated with the risk of dementia in women (highest in second quartile, HR 1.17, 95%CI 1.04–1.32), but there was no relationship in men (highest in second quartile, HR 0.95, 95% CI 0.81–1.12). The pattern of association was explored further by decile, and in females there was an association between lithium level and increased dementia risk compared to the lowest decile (0.55–0.68 μg/L) in all deciles except the highest, corresponding with lithium levels 0.68–2.1 μg/L.
Lithium levels in drinking water are very low across Scotland which limited detection of potential effect. Our results do not support an association between extremely low levels of lithium and later dementia risk. We found a trend to increased risk in females at lithium levels below but not above 2.1 μg/L.

Lithium in drinking water and Alzheimer’s dementia: Epidemiological Findings from National Data Base of Japan 2022

The adjusted model showed a significant inverse association of lithium levels with female, but not with male, or total prevalence of AD.

Also diverging results when it comes to longitudinal studies looking at high-dose lithium therapy in psychiatry:

Lithium Therapy’s Potential to Lower Dementia Risk and the Prevalence of Alzheimer’s Disease: A Meta-Analysis 2024

The forest plot results showed that taking lithium therapy reduced the risk of AD (RR 0.59, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.44–0.78) and is also protective in reducing the risk of dementia (RR 0.66, 95% CI: 0.56–0.77). The duration of lithium therapy was able to affect dementia incidence (RR 0.70, 95% CI: 0.55–0.88); however, it is unclear how this effect might manifest in AD.

Lithium and risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia and venous thromboembolism 2023

Regarding neurological disorders, lithium treatment was associated with higher risk for dementia (HR = 2.64, 99% CI = 2.38–2.94) and Parkinson’s disease (HR = 3.82, 99% CI = 3.13–4.66), seizures (HR = 2.32, 99% CI = 2.04–2.63) and collapse (HR = 1.54, 99% CI = 1.32–1.79)

[desertshores]

From your cited paper:
“We conclude that individuals prescribed lithium have a lower risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, but no marked effect on dementia, compared to individuals with a mood or psychotic disorder not prescribed lithium. Venous thromboembolism, Parkinson’s disease, and kidney disease were significantly more prevalent in individuals prescribed lithium.”

Prescribed doses of lithium are generally an order of magnitudes higher than the 5 to 20 mg of lithium orotate advocated by many in the forum

[adssx]

@desertshores

Prescribed doses of lithium are generally an order of magnitudes higher than the 5 to 20 mg of lithium orotate advocated by many in the forum

Yes, that’s what I wrote. But it’s still interesting. And on the other hand, the water studies at very low doses (but over a long period of time most likely) find negative or neutral results in men.

[John_Hemming]

Higher dose lithium inhibits some citrate transporters and i think that is what can cause nephrotoxicity

Blood serum has a normal level of citrate.

[adssx]

Chinese paper on lithium & AD: Frontiers | Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential of lithium in Alzheimer’s disease: repurposing an old class of drugs

@DrFraser