I have never had a kidney stone and I'm 43 yrs. old. I started taking Lithium in March of 2009. Since summer of 2009, the creatine in my urine has been slightly elevated. In January of this year, my kidney function was only at 56%, so my primary Dr. sent me to a specialist who did 3 tests to find out I had a kidney stone in my left tube leading from kidney that measured 2mm. She shocked the stone, but said there were several smaller stones higher up in that same kidney. She also put a stent in to keep the tube from collapsing. She also told me that the lodged stone had grown from 2mm to 1 cm in one week!! It had been lodged for a long time. The x-ray she did the day of surgery revealed another large impassible stone in the right kidney. So after the left kidney heals, I have to have surgery again. I drink a ton of water and except for milk water only, and nothing else has changed except starting the lithium in March of 2009. I'm really hoping this isn't the cause and I would have to stop taking the Lithium cuz it's my miracle med. and I only take 450 mg a day becuz of sensitivity to it, but it does it's job.
Can Lithium, being a salt cause kidney stones?
Question posted by cspecialmom1111 on 19 March 2011
Last updated on 14 May 2015 by Kerry5
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3 Answers
Yes, lithium can cause kidney stones. I'm facing that myself right now. Just found out I have stones in both kidneys and they will have to pass on their own. Not looking forward to it. Trying to change my diet and fluid intake to try to make things easier.
I've been on lithium for almost 20 years and it has also caused stage 3 chronic kidney failure. Lithium is a miracle drug for sure but it sure can do damage.
I have a kidney stone currently and one back in Dec 2013 and my urologist said to eat a low sodium diet. The stone I have now was there in Dec but in the opposite kidney I was having complications with.
I also see a psychiatrist and we are talking about starting Lithium I was concerned about my kidney function so she waited but she did say that Lithium depletes sodium so I wouldn't have to watch sodium as diligently if I go on it. I asked my urologist his opinion on my kidney and the lithium he said tell your dr your kidney is fine now and that lithium is fine to take.
Lithium is unlikely to be the cause of your kidney stones.
The biggest risk factor is dehydration so make sure you keep up with your fluids!
https://www.drugs.com/health-guide/kidney-stones.html
Related topics
nephrolithiasis, creatine, lithium
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