Posted by Larry Hoover on July 29, 2007, at 14:15:04
In reply to Re: lithium » Larry Hoover, posted by Squiggles on July 29, 2007, at 13:41:12
>
> > I don't think that I'm the one with the agenda.
> >
> > Lar
> >
> >
>
> If not agenda, at least a question of interpretation to support your questionable
> certainty that lithium IS AND MUST do serious
> renal damage.I did not say anything of the sort. I would never use such language.
From your referenced piece: "Although this effect of lithium is probably functional and reversible early in treatment, it may become structural and irreversible over time."
Let's recap the sequence of debated issues.
You initially questioned the sociological value of patented drugs, arguing that generics would be of greater value to society.
You then questioned if lithium could have been patented, and suggested that drugs (such as lithium) from the 1950's were somehow both cheaper and superior to later developments.
I then entered the discussion, suggesting that doing away with drug patents would destroy drug research and development as it is presently conducted. Furthermore, I declared that lithium would never be approved under current drug testing guidelines. Although a minor point in what I had written, you chose to focus on that one issue.
I won't re-argue the presentation of evidence, but I believe that the null hypothesis is inconsistent with the body of evidence. I reserve my conclusions until after studying the data, to avoid confirmation bias. (However, I also accept that to believe that might also demonstrate bias. I am reminded of Escher, but I digress....)
What is most interesting to me is that, despite your protestations that lithium is safe to the thyroid and the kidney, your own doctor routinely tests these functions. You seem to derive some comfort from this. I suggest that you have simply been lucky, both in having the doctor you have (only about 1/3 of lithium-treated patients even get routine thyroid testing), and in the negative results therefrom.
Generalizing from your experience, one might conclude that lithium is safe. However, the experience of others is also relevant to the issue of safety.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:772306
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070719/msgs/772728.html