Weight Gain Associated With Lithium Intake

Lithium is associated with many medications. For several severe types of diseases the treatment medications include a significant amount of Lithium dosage. Lithium is specifically used for bipolar disorders. It is basically used as a mood stabilizer. It is used for both the depression as well as manic cases and it is considered more effective for manic patients. Lithium is believed to have the capability of increasing the thirst and appetite in an individual. So, lithium intake causes weight gain. Apart from increase in thirst and appetite it also decreases the thyroid level in your body. The possible reasons because of which Lithium causes weight gain are:

• Lithium increase thirst. As the result of Lithium intake you feel more thirst for fluids and tend to drink more beverages. If you are drinking a lot of beverages and fluids you tend to increase weight.
  
  
• The other reason is the decreased level of thyroid. The reduction of thyroid level increases the chances of fat accumulation as the body metabolism reduces and the body capability to burn calories is also effected.
  
  
• After Lithium intake the most common side effect is increase in appetite. Increase in appetite would obviously result in weight gain. As the patient is not able to understand this as a side effect until warned by the doctor, tends to eat more food and any food.
  

Well for those who want to gain weight it is heaven in disguise that they are getting weight because of Lithium medication. But it is a punishment for those who do not want to gain weight. It is always better to know the side effects of any medication before you are put on for it. This way you can take the precautions and the corrective measures before hand. Those who have increasing thirst problem after Lithium intake can avoid the high calorie drinks and use more water and hydrated drinks. Also, for increase in appetite, eat more of fruits and vegetables. You must avoid the high calorie food items.

Many of the soft drinks in the late eras had a high content of Lithium. The popular soft drinks like Coke and 7UP had lithium salt content in it. Later their constitutions were changed.

It has also been said that its not must that every patient on lithium will gain weight. There have been many cases where the people put on lithium medications have not shown the signs of weight gain.