09.21.2020 - By Pocket Psychiatry: A Carlat Podcast
Half a dozen research papers suggest that lithium’s anti-viral properties may extend to the coronavirus. But the idea is far from tested, and patients with coronavirus are also at higher risk for lithium toxicity. We also touch on a safer and simpler way to prevent COVID-19: Vitamin D. How to order vitamin D: Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy (Diagnostic code=E55.9 How to interpret vitamin D levels : Target = 30-60 ng/ml. Possible harms above 60 ng/ml (evidence is not definitive). 20-30 is a mild low; below 12 ng/ml is putting the bones at risk. How to correct vitamin D levels: Mild low (20-30): Vitamin D3 2,000 IU PO QD. Moderate-severe low (