How long can a pt. take lithium before. they have kidney problems?

Depends....: Lithium use can cause damage to your kidneys. Regular lithium blood levels together with kidney function tests like creatinine and GFR will assist in determining the right dose as well as finding early signs of liver damage which may require stopping lithium. Your md should be monitoring this regularly. You and your md need to work as a team.

Depends.: Lithium is a salt, an electrolyte, just like the table salt on your food. The kidney regulates the electrolytes in your body. With lithium, because it is similar to sodium and potassium, the kidney treats the lithium as if it were one of those others. And, as such, each person is unique. I've had patients on lithium for decades without problems, and some for only a year.Which is why blood is got.