Lithium, sodium levels and water

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i just started taking lithium, and i was concerned when my doctor told me that we have to take your blood and monitor your kidney function on this medication. i had been on one other med that required monitoring these are usually hardcore meds i thought you know this could have bad side effects. they took my initial levels of kidney function and it was normal, and they said my new ones after 2 weeks were good but i had low levels of lithium in my blood serum. so i wondered if my water intake would effect the level of lithium uptake in my blood because lithium competes with sodium in the kidneys. they want to up the dose (im at 600mg fairly low) but if i am storing some of it i should flush it out. anyone been on lithium? what are your experiences with side effects? was it worth it?