Tegretol Levels?

[Loopy Lou]

I just got the results of some blood tests i had done in November...

They were looking to check to see if i had some sort of antibody which could be the cause of my epilepsy and also something called NMDA which i still haven't figured out what it is.

They also checked my Tegretol levels which were 7.2. I was told this was a bit on the low side. Anyone know what it is supposed to be? Does this mean i will need to increase my tegretol? I'm dreading the thought. I've now put on about 3 and a half stone since i started Tegretol in May. I'm even too ashamed to go swimming or to the gym and anyone who's even pointed a camera in my direction this xmas has got a lovely pic of my back as i run away. I know for a fact now that it's the Tegretol because i stopped taking it last week and i lost 5lb despite it being over new year/my brother's birthday.

I'm back onto my 600mg a day now though along with the 3000mg Keppra.

I'm still waiting for results of blood platelet/hormone levels and stuff. They're not too great here at giving you everything at once >.<

Edit - i didn't have the antibodies and i don't think i have the NDMA one but i'm not sure they have the results back from that one. I was kinda hoping i did because then at least there'd be a reason for my epilepsy and a possible way to deal with it...

[epileric]

I didn't know what NMDA is either, apparently it's a neurotransmitter.

N-Methyl-D-aspartic acid

Sometimes when your levels are low it means you need a higher dose but I would think (in my non-medical opinion) hat sometimes the problem can be something like how much you are absorbing, not how much you are ingesting.

[Nakamova]

Target therapeutic plasma levels of carbamazepine are from 4 to 10 mg/L. So it sounds like you're in the right in the middle of that range, NOT on the low side.

[lureswinger]

Does anyone have any ideas about side effects while they are taking me off tegratol and putting me on a higher dose of lamotragene last time they tried it I only had my tegratol reduced by 100mg and found myself getting picked up off the floor in the bank by paramedics the day after I started to reduce tegratol this time they have decided to up lamotragene at the same time they reduce tegratol I'm still a bit wary of changes to my meds I've had enough of kissing floors lol

[Hand of Blood]

when i used to get mine done i was always around 12! they said it was high but done nothing about it.... instead they put me up lol