Weight Loss From Lithium

Weight Loss From Lithium Resource

Top Questions and Answers

Weight loss while taking lithium and lamictal? Have you been able to lose weight while taking these medications? What worked for you?

combackkidxxx replied: "lamictal doesn't do anything to your weight.... it doesn't even make ya gain anything, i've lost weight [from the adderall] in the last 5 months....so yeah it's possible....but don't overdue it"

Tina W replied: "I'm on Lithium. Just watch what you eat and exercise. I'm not certain about Lamictal but usually you only gain on Lithium if you eat more (and the mania is gone so you aren't as active)or drink a lot of high calorie drinks because it makes you thirsty. Or thyroid problems, which they test for. I only gained like 2 pounds, but it's a sodium so I'm sure it's only water gain."

Do you take lithium? Have you been able to lose weight through exercise and diet? I take lithium for bipolar disorder and need to lose about 60 lbs. I would like to hear from anyone who has had success with weight loss while taking lithium. How did you do it? What did you find particularly helpful?

Rob J replied: "Look at this site: "

Alex62 replied: "Increased exercise and reduced caloric intake. Hate to say it, but the old fashioned way works the best. I gained a little starting Lithium and then lost it plus some more. Then I started other meds in addition, so it's been a real battle. I know how you feel."

Has anyone taken lithium and not gained weight? I'm taking lithium and fluoxetine for manic depression and I'm kind of concerned about the weight gain thing. See with lithium it causes weight gain but the fluoxetine causes weight loss-so does that mean they balance eachother out? I know I'll have to make some life changes (such as making sure I eat properly and getting more exercise) to avoid the lithium weight gain but I was wondering if anyone has taken it and NOT gained weight?

pixietrix replied: "I took it for a few months and didn't gain weight, but I had to come off due to an allergic reaction. I do have a friend though who has taken it without gaining weight, but she eats really well and exercises daily. To be honest with these medications I think you need to keep a healthy lifestyle, because the weight goes on really quickly without you even noticing and before you know it your a stone heavier. I take mood stabilisers and I know that if I don't exercise and eat healthily than I would be Hugh."

DoctorJohn replied: "Lithium is a metal"

nickywireobsessive replied: "Hi- I started on lithium a month ago and was very concerned about the same issue ( see my past qs on here maybe of use to you as I got some really useful nfo from others). I have definately put some weight on but I do feel more in the mood to exercise now that my mood is more even. I have also noticed that I need to eat regularly otherwise I start to feel very unwell and sickly. As someone who in the past did not regularly in the day I have had to be careful with it - think this is perhaps why I feel heavier. I guess life changes you mentioned are the way forward - and support from others helps. Let me know how you get on and I send my best wishes x"

Olivereindeer replied: "I have taken Lithium for about a year and definitely gained weight. I thought it was nonsense that it woud occur. However I have also eaten way more and been less active. I also take an SSRI and lithium together for bipolar. Sounds like you are quite able to control your weight anyhow by using exercise and eating well (whereas I have NO control). The fact that I am remarkably better mentally is worth the weight gain."

riptide_71 replied: "Hi. I have taken lithium for 10 years and I gained weight. I exercise and try to eat right, but I still gained. Some research says that it might not be becasue of the medication, but because of the increase in the calories consumed by drinking juices and sodas. Most people on lithium drink more because of the thirst, so the weight might be attributed to drinking calorie-filled beverages."

I've gained alot of weight from Lithium....? Hey yahoo people! I'm taking both lithium and zoloft for the treatment of bipolar disorder. I've gained about 20 lbs from this medicine. I've tried about everything in the world to lose weight and keep it off, but my weight just WON'T go down! I've tried a proper diet....6 small meals a day. I've tried exercise...45 minutes a day. I drink 9 glasses of water a day. I eat healthy. What should I do? Is weight loss surgery an option?

guidi replied: "My personal opinion is that both of those drugs do more harm than good."

. replied: "Lithium is a natural derivative of salt...salt retains water--and lithium slows down the metabolism--thus--the weight gain."

PJ replied: "Yes, that happens. Lithium causes weight gain, but it is better than having horrible mood swings and depressive states. Perhaps you could talk to your doctor and see if there is another medicine you could try. Good luck."

MonaLisa Overdrive AM VT wannabe replied: "Let me ask you a simple question - if you gave those same medications to starving people in Africa, would they gain 20 pounds? You simply need to eat less and/or exercise more."

mel replied: "talk to your doctor- they may be able to switch your meds around to put you on something that doesnt cause the weight gain. i know alot of psych meds can cause weight gain, but IMO its better to be mentally healthy and a little overweight than not be on meds-manicky and sick.."

Rachel replied: "Lithium can effect your thyroid. You should have simple blood tests done to determine this. Your thyroid hormones are what regulates your metabolism so, if they aren't right no matter what you do the weight won't come off. I'd talk to the doc and see if these tests have been done regularly, and if not have one done just to see where you are with that."

HerHuggyBunny replied: "I've used zoloft every day for many years and lithium now and again since 1995... The only weight-gain effect you might be having from the lithium is some water retention. Drink tea or coffe where you might otherwise drink water (at least before 3pm anyhow) and you'll likely find that your weight stabilizes or begins to drop very slowly. Your meds in combination *may* be slowing your metabolism a very little bit (although that's not very likely to cause significant weight gain in only a few months), and eating just a little less might be some help."

charles r replied: "wooooow man well it is a option"

Doctor A replied: "This is not the right forum to get this question answered. As a pharmacist I can tell you that both drugs you mention have a side effect profile that includes weight gain. But you condition Bipolar disorder also has a variety of risk factors that can not be properly assessed by a forum post. The weight could be caused by the disease, by either of the drugs, by a thyroid condition or other metabolic disorder. Or by consuming more calories than you should. I read the other responses and you should know that you need to speak to a medical professional. Visit your doctor or if you can't afford to do that visit your local pharmacist for guidance. But there is no way you can get a quality answer without answering a lot more questions than you have in your post."

Weight loss after going off Lithium??? I've been on Lithium Carbonate (Lithobid) for severe depression for 1.5 years. It has been a godsend. I noticed a huge difference in my depression within a week and after a month or two was back to my old health. I have not been depressed in over a year (since starting on the Lithium). But am thinking it may be time to go off it since I'm not longer depressed. I know it slows your metabolism down 25%, so I was wondering if anybody lost weight after they went off it? Please let me know. I'm curious if I'll lose weight if I quit taking it. Thanks!

xaviar_onasis replied: "There are a couple of ways that people commonly lose weight when they go off lithium. The first is that they don't retain as much water, which is a consideration that quickly normalizes. The second is that sometimes their depression returns in a subclinical form, but enough so that they sleep a great deal and don't eat much. Less common, but one I have seen, is patients who take up smoking and lose a bit of weight that way."

I recently changed mood stabilizers from Geodon to Lithium will it make me gain weight? When I did some research of mood stabilizers (I have bi-polar NOS) I found that some forms of lithium say that they have loss of appetite as a side effect, but with the specific brand my psychiatrist gave me has weight gain as a side effect. I gained 4 lbs. per month on Geodon, so I was wanting something that wouldn't make me gain so much weight when I requested the switch. Does anyone know much about the weight gain/weight loss side effects of Lithium?

David D replied: "Yes, lithium causes significant weight gain. But it varies from person to person."

madworld replied: "I took Lithium for quite a while. I didn't gain on it. However, I run every day and watch what i eat. My point is... when you are on these types of drugs that have the potential to make you gain weight it is important to exercise daily and eat as healthy as possible."

Sunna replied: "I have always been super skinny all my life. I can eat anything and as much of it. I have to say in my case, lithium packed on 15-20 pounds in a matter of two months. I stopped taking it."

vince_k77 replied: "Lithium is thought to have 2 effects that make people gain weight... It slows down your metabolism by 15% (which isn't all that much) so instead of eating 2000 calories, you should eat 1700. People who continue to eat 2000 would slowly gain weight. The second cause of weight gain is the fact that lithium can make you very thirsty since it's a salt, and many people start drinking soda and other high calorie drinks. So if you watch what you eat and drink, you really shouldn't have a problem. I'm on 1500mg of lithium, don't really exercise but I walk a lot and I've been losing weight (I gained tons of weight on zyprexa before I started the lithium). So just be sensible (something everyone should do). Good luck!"

When you go off lithium, what kind of weight loss will I experience? bodyfat water both normal appetite normal metabolism

huggz replied: "Probably none! It takes hard work to get it off, it won't just drop off because you stopped the meds!!!"

Too many people complain about lithium side effects, what can be done about this? increase serontonin decrease appetite change the drug a little so there is no weight gain take another drug how may people really want to take lithium weight loss seems impossible

Amanda R replied: "most psych drugs cause increased appetite/weight gain. switching to another drug like depakote might not affect some people as much as others or the side effects may not be as bad for you as lithium"

Did you gain or lose weight while taking Lithium? My doctor prescribed lithium for me before I got pregnant and I didn't gain the weight like he suggested I might. Now that I've had the baby, I'm looking to go back on but not too sure of how the weight gain/loss will be. I know that everybody is different and that not everybody experiences the same thing but I want to know if you lost or gained weight while taking lithium. Lithium was the best medication for my bi-polar condition. It really, really calmed the mood swings and racing thoughts. Loved it. Just don't wanna gain the weight. Serious answers only PLEASE!

Lori C replied: "i am bipolar and i am STILL taking lithium it does make you gain weight but that why they tell you to exercise or else you keep gaining weight just exercise. Before i wouldn't exercise and gained 20lbs now that i exercise am at my normal weight with less mood swings"

BIPOLAR MEDICATION WEIGHT LOSS? I asked this question already today, and I wanted to ask it in another way...Since I have started taking depakote and lithium I have gained 50 lbs in ten months. It has been extremely hard to lose any weight and Im 26 years old. What can I do on top of diet and exercise?

Nymphodora replied: "There is nothing you can do besides lowering your calorie intake eating healthy and exercising. Besides trying another medication. Why are you taking both lithium and depakote? Only one is usually used for bipolar. You could try Lamictal which doesn't have much weight gain for side effects."

Erryn B replied: "I can feel your pain and frustration. I'm on Seroquel and have only put on 30lbs over the past two years... There is no easy fix. Weight loss can only occur when you are expending more calories than you are consuming. I find that carbs make me feel better in the short term and worse off in the long run. I'm starting to eat more protein (lean meats) and am finding that helps a bit. I'm feeling more full and not snacking as much. Good luck."

Cella replied: "I take Lamictal and have had no weight gain at all.It's also one of the best meds I've ever been on. I also have a friend who is on Topamax and she said she has lost weight. Not sure how it's working for her yet. I would ask pdoc to change to on of those. One med is better then taking two of them. Take care Cella"

Roo replied: "mood stabilizers cause weight gain, its a fact. they drag down your energy level and in order to compensate, your body makes up for it with food intake. the best way i know of to counteract these effects is to also take an antidepressant or a "booster" like wellbutrin."

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