Monitoring anticonvulsant blood levels

Hey everyone. I’m looking for some insight from anyone here who takes anti-epileptics or has been on them in the past (like I was). I really need some advice. Does anyone know if you had to get your blood levels checked, and if so, how often did that happen? Was it something your neurologist specifically ordered, and what makes those tests so necessary in the first place? I was on anti-epileptic meds for about 13 years—starting when I was only 10—but I only remember getting my levels checked once, right at the beginning of my treatment, and then never again. It honestly makes me wonder... what happens if my medication concentration was actually too high and I just had no idea? Could that have caused issues I wasn't even aware of? Thanks a million in advance!

Hello. I am looking for input from anyone currently taking, or who has previously taken, antiepileptic drugs... I need some guidance. Have you had blood tests to check medication levels? If so, how often? Was this requested by your neurologist, and why is such monitoring considered necessary? I was on antiepileptics for thirteen years—specifically starting when I was ten—yet I recall my levels being checked only once at the very beginning of treatment. Never again. I find myself wondering... what if the concentration in my bloodstream was too high without my knowledge? Could that have caused issues? Thank you in advance.

I am quite new to all of this... specifically regarding my child. She has been on an antiepileptic for about twenty days now. I inquired with her pediatrician about testing drug concentrations, and he explained that regarding her specific medication (she takes Lamictal), those tests aren't performed. I don't know anything else about it. 🤷
Move your question to the epilepsy thread on this forum... you will surely get more responses there.

Elizabeth Ortiz5 said:Hey. I was wondering if anyone here takes anti-seizure meds, or used to, like I did. I could use some advice. How often did you guys have your blood levels checked? Was it something your neurologist ordered, and why is it even necessary? I was on them for 13 years—started when I was 10—but I only remember getting my levels checked once at the beginning of treatment, and then never again. I guess I'm worried about what happens if my levels were too high all this time and I just didn't know. Could that cause issues? Thanks in advance.

I take Lamictal and went in twice. My levels were too low the first time, so my neurologist bumped up the dose a bit. It worked, and I've stayed on that same dose since.
The whole point is to see if your body actually absorbs the medication enough for it to be effective. When mine was low, she basically told me it was like I wasn't even taking anything. They're just checking to see if the medicine is actually doing its job in your system.😉

Susan Robinson86 said:Hey, I’m wondering if anyone here takes antiepileptics or used to (like me). I need some advice. Have you had blood tests to check your medication levels, and if so, how often? Did your neurologist request it, and why is it even necessary? I took antiepileptics for 13 years—starting when I was 10—but I only remember having my levels checked once at the beginning of treatment, and never again. I guess I’m worried about what happens if my levels were too high all this time without me knowing. Could that cause problems? Thanks in advance!!!!!!

I'm pretty new to all of this... well, my child is. She's been on an antiepileptic for about 20 days now. I asked her pediatrician about checking the drug concentration, and he explained that regarding her specific medication (she takes Lamictal), those tests aren't really done. I don't know anything else about it. 🤷
Maybe move the question to the epilepsy thread on this forum; you'll probably get more replies there..

That's news to me.😕
I take Lamictal and I've had my levels checked before, and I actually have another appointment for it coming up soon.
I think I even saw a sign saying patients on Lamictal get priority and don't have to wait as long.😕
I guess you should just ask the doctor...
It's just checking the level of Lamotrigine.