I just started taking lithium for bipolar disorder yesterday. My doctor did not tell me it could seriously damage my thyroid, and now I am very very scared of the idea. I don't not want to gain weight indefinitely or have to deal with serious issues that would impact my mental health even more, just by taking a medication to medicate it in the first place.
All over the internet I see how the thyroid can be affected by lithium patients in up to 50% of patients. My question is, they never talk about the average dose used to really affect the thyroid.
I take 120-150 mg a day (forgot the number), and I'm wondering how susceptible I am to the side affect. It really scares me. I hope this crosses over to the thyroid community but this is my first time on the website and I was hoping someone could help me ballpark and answer. Thanks!