Posted by Larry Hoover on March 21, 2007, at 14:20:13
In reply to Lithium- body production? Larry? anyone?, posted by spriggy on March 21, 2007, at 1:44:39
> My Lyme doctor ran a hair elemental analaysis test on me.
> I got the results today.I have little faith in hair analysis. Well, no faith in it, actually. Only if another test backs it up, and really, that means I have faith in the other test.....
The thing is, hair is both dead, and outside of the body. It is, at most, a historical record of uncertain age, and uncertain connection to whole-body biochemistry. At worst, being outside the body, it is subject to all manner of degradative and distorting influences. You'd have to account for all the factors that could influence test results, if you could even think of them all. There is no substitute for bloodwork, IMHO. That's why doctors poke ya, instead of snipping yer hair. Well, most doctors.
> I found it very strange that my Lithium levels were virtually "non existent." They say the range should be <= .302
Should be? To three decimal places? Errrk!
> And yet mine could not even be detected.
Well, I just looked at sources I trust, and there are no accepted reference ranges for lithium in hair. In fact, there are only three elements for which there are accepted ranges (according to ASTDR), methyl mercury, arsenic, and lead. All are heavy metals. Lithium is the lightest metal known, with entirely different chemistry. Moreover, lithium is very soluble, and hair is porous. I hope I'm not getting into overkill.
> What role would this play (if any) on depression?
Blood lithium levels can influence mood.
> My doctor suggested I take lithium orotate?I don't have a problem with that. I can't see how it could hurt, and it may help. But, I would argue for its use based on your psych symptoms, and family history, not your hair analysis.
> I have never been diagnosed BP but my dad has and his mother was. Would a low lithium count be a reason for it?Although artificially increasing lithium content in the blood is a treatment for bipolar disorder, the converse has not been shown. I.e., low lithium is not a known cause of anything.
> I am wondering if this is a genetic thing that maybe my father and grandmother was never tested for?It's probably a genetic thing, whether or not it has anything to do with this tangent of thought.
> Also wonder if it plays into my own occasional deep depression and anxiety?Now, that is where lithium might help. But as I say, my conclusion is based entirely on your symptoms, and family history, rather than your hair analysis.
Take care, S.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:742711
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070320/msgs/742869.html