Can Stage 3 CKD Caused by Lithium Be Reversed

A:

Lithium has long been used to treat bipolar disorders and actually it has been used to treat gout and kidney stones. Lithium can help dissolve uric acid crystals so as to help prevent and treat kidney stones.

However kidney dysfunction and kidney problems have been found among those that have taken lithium for long time. If lithium level in the blood is within normal and safe range, it will not cause any kidney problems or other disorders. However high dosage or long term intake of lithium put the patients at higher risk to develop chronic kidney disease or even acute renal failure.

A variety of kidney problems caused by lithium have been reported including nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, renal tubular acidosis, nephrotic syndrome and chronic interstitial nephritis, acute renal failure, etc.

Why too much lithium can cause so harmful damages to the kidneys? This is because too much lithium can make the kidneys unable to hold water any more. Patients will experience frequent and rapid urination and dehydration. In severe conditions, acute renal failure can be caused and patients may even die within several days, therefore high dosage of lithium should be avoided. Ask for the doctor for the proper and safe dosage according to your specific conditions. Or ask the doctor to see if there is more natural alternatives for lithium.

Chronic kidney disease is most often caused in case of long term intake of lithium. Patients can have a series of typical symptoms of kidney problems such as swelling, protein in urine, etc. Often kidney damages caused by lithium can not be reversed even with timely treatments, therefore the best treatment is early and effective prevention.

For your conditions, you are now at stage 3 CKD which means that your kidneys are moderately impaired. If the lithium can be stopped and further deterioration is prevented, you can stay in this stage for many years without progressing into the end stage renal disease.