Lithium Orotate for children...reviews/experiences?

[emma1325]

Hi,

My daughter is being tested for heavy metal toxicity.  She has extreme mood swings, ADHD symptoms and violent tantrums.  Until the test results came back, the doctor suggested lithium orotate, the smallest dose (I think 5 mg).

She's been on it for five days now, and we haven't noticed a single difference in her moods.  She is still very jumpy and moody.

I'm hoping the lithium will still help, but needs more time to get into her system...but I wanted to ask here if anyone has any experience with lithium orotate.

Thanks!

[ssh]

How old is your DD? I 'd be hesitant giving a young child any kind of lithium because of the toxicity. One study listed possible side effects of lithium orotate as including diarrhea, vomiting, drowsiness, muscle weakness, lack of coordination, blurred vision and ringing in the ears. When a psychiatrist prescribes pharmaceutical lithium they monitor blood levels to help prevent toxicity. Lithium orotate is more bio-reactive so more of it's absorbed and there's less in the blood. I don't know if they monitor for toxicity levels with natural lithuim salts. Pharmaceutical lithium reacts with some other drugs  including ibuprofen.

Could the heavy metal toxicity be causing your DD's symptoms? I think mood swings and depression have been associated with heavy metal toxicity. I'd rule out other things before going with a bipolar disorder treatment. ADHD and bipolar disorder share symptoms but respond to different treatments.

[emma1325]

Originally Posted by ssh 

How old is your DD? I 'd be hesitant giving a young child any kind of lithium because of the toxicity. One study listed possible side effects of lithium orotate as including diarrhea, vomiting, drowsiness, muscle weakness, lack of coordination, blurred vision and ringing in the ears. When a psychiatrist prescribes pharmaceutical lithium they monitor blood levels to help prevent toxicity. Lithium orotate is more bio-reactive so more of it's absorbed and there's less in the blood. I don't know if they monitor for toxicity levels with natural lithuim salts. Pharmaceutical lithium reacts with some other drugs  including ibuprofen.

Could the heavy metal toxicity be causing your DD's symptoms? I think mood swings and depression have been associated with heavy metal toxicity. I'd rule out other things before going with a bipolar disorder treatment. ADHD and bipolar disorder share symptoms but respond to different treatments.

Hi...she's seven.  The doctor, who is an md (internal medicine), specializes in toxicity, and is very natural-minded, seems to think that metal toxicity and lithium deficiency could be related in certain individuals, or at least present together.  The hair analysis that we had done tested for heavy metal poisoning and also lithium levels. (We get the results back within a couple of weeks.) The doctor suspects she'll be both high in metals and low in lithium, which is why she suggested putting her on the lithium now.

She doesn't moniter blood levels unless you request, but said that in her experience with this form of lithium, side effects are nearly non-existent.  If any are noticed, they are very mild.  And my daughter isn't on any other medication so there's no chance of drug interaction.

So yes, we believe the metal toxicity could be responsible for her mood swings.  But also that lithium deficiency could be a related issue.  I'm just really hoping that we can find a treatment plan that works for her.  Her problems with mood are pretty severe and have been interfering with school and our atmosphere at home.

[ssh]

It does seem like a really low dose. Some psych meds can take weeks to have the desired effect.  Hopefully the results on your DD's test will be back soon. Physical exercise can also have a very positive effect on moods and bipolar disorder so can having regular amounts of sleep.

[concernedmom11]

Lithium is a heavy metal and has no known function in the human body or any other living organism. It is not a necessary biological element for life. Lithium in the "natural" or orotate form as well as the "un-natural" carbonate form both have adverse consequences in the body. Here is an example of the endocrine disrupting effects of lithium in females. This is a clinical study abstract.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0006899386914459

The orotate form of lithium is also more bioavailable and therefore builds up in the brain more quickly, leading to increased chances of toxicity. Another clinical study abstract...

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18072162

Increased kidney toxicity from orotate salts...

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.2042-7158.1979.tb13461.x/abstract

DO NOT BELIEVE THE HYPE ON THE INTERNET OR FROM NATROPATHIC DOCTORS ABOUT LITHIUM OROTATE. IT IS NOT SAFE. (Chelation can be safe.. lithium orotate is NOT!)