HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients
Book a video visit
HealthTap
Telehealth
A member asked:

How long does it take for someone to acquire a therapeutic lithium level?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

Lithium level: Assuming the dose is correct, about 5 days after starting the medication. Lithium levels can be obtained in order to determine whether a therapeutic level has been achieved. If not, the dose can be adjusted and another blood level can be obtained until the level has been reached. Generally the level is between 0.5 to 1.2.

Dr Pappas and 3 doctors agreed

Answered 8/19/2017

5.7k views

Thank

Related Questions

A member asked:

What's the therapeutic level for lithium carbonate tabs (lithobid)?

5 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

A member asked:

Lithium level is 0.5. Below theraputic range. What is a normal theraputic range. Im always low. 1200mg a day. 600/am &pm?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

Hello.... I was prescribed clonazepam 0.5mg for anxiety.... I have mood disorder my lithium levels are low can I take lithium orotate?

8 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

A member asked:

How long does take to lithium leave the body and have normal blood levels for a person taking 1200 lithobid (lithium carbonate) and changing med?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

What is dystonia and what causes it? Started lithium therapy 3 weeks ago and developed involuntary muscle movements mostly in back and all of torso 2 weeks later. Lithium level still below therapeutic, now stopped med 3 days ago

A doctor has provided 1 answer

Sponsored Content
HealthTap Medical Group does not endorse products or services. Sponsored content revenues support our mission to make health information free and accessible to all.Learn more

People also searched for:

How long does it take for lithium carbonate to be effective for bipolar II symptoms? And what is theraputic level? Thanks.
Stopped Lithium cold turkey for a month now. Starting to get everything together. How much longer should it take?
I take lithium 1250mg per day, and have a serum level of 0.8. How much should I increase my dose by to get to a serum level of 0.9 - 1?
I take lithium, how often should I have my levels checked. My psychiatrist has not checked them for 2 years ?
Can mobic (meloxicam) affect lithium levels? I take 600 of lithium and start 7.5mg bid today.

Telemedicine

Primary Care
Manage Your Conditions
Women's Health
Children's Health
Men's Health
Senior Health
Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle
Sexual Health
Mental & Behavioral Health
Travel Medicine
Urgent Care
Ask your question
Didn't find what you're looking for?

90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more.

Ask your question

More of what we treat

Allergies
Antibiotics
Asthma
High Blood Pressure
Prescriptions
Type 2 Diabetes
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.
HealthTap
HIPAA logo
HIPAASecure
Soc 2 Type 2 logo
SOC 2 Type 2Certified
JCAHO Accredited
JCAHOAccredited
Member App

Download HealthTap

Video visit and message your doctor

Member App QR Code
Play Store Member LinkApp Store Member Link

Questions?

+1 (888) 828-0841support@healthtap.com
LinkedInTwitter
HomeTermsPrivacyCookiesDMCAHealth TopicsDoctors DirectoryDoctor Q&A by Specialty
Copyright 2026 HealthTap, Inc.