|
Post by kc4braves on Nov 7, 2006 9:10:55 GMT -5
I have a friend who keeps inisisting that I should have my sons iron levels tested. She says that one of their friends thought their child was ADHD and found that his iron was really low. After correcting the levels he is no longer having problems. Is this right? If so, how common is it and how much diference does it really make? Do you guys supplement iron? I guess I haven't heard anythng about iron so am just wondering about what she keeps saying. None of our doctors have ever checked for anything like that. Just curious.
KAthy
|
|
|
Post by RobbysMom on Nov 7, 2006 10:20:03 GMT -5
I hadn't heard about iron levels, only lead levels. Lead poisoning symptoms mimic ADHD. I asked the ped to check my ds' lead levels when I first learned about this and she also checked his iron and thyroid. Everything came back normal.
|
|
|
Post by kc4braves on Nov 7, 2006 15:17:01 GMT -5
Well, I found a couple of articles about a small study that was done regarding ADHD kids and iron levels. But, you know, it seems you can find some study somewhere about most vitamins and minerals. I guess I feel like someone is always trying to make me feel like I shouldn't be using the meds. You know...if only you would up his iron, all would be fine. Or....if only you did this or that. I just wondered if anyone here (where I trust the info.) had heard anything about iron deficiency, etc.
Kathy
|
|
|
Post by Mayleng on Nov 7, 2006 15:49:37 GMT -5
Kathy, you shouldn't let people put you on the guilt trip. But it is always good to research things. Cat will be along when she finds time to check in and give you her take on it.
|
|
|
Post by jw on Nov 7, 2006 16:55:12 GMT -5
Hi! My younger son has been anemic (low iron levels) two times. He gets irritable and tires easily when this happens. I wouldn't really say that his behavior resembles ADHD, but I can see how it would seem that way if a child is tired at school for any reason. It is an easy thing to check with your pediatrician - my doctor does the iron levels in her office. However, iron can be toxic if the levels are too high, so I would be concerned about supplementing without a doctor's OK. Good luck! JW
|
|
|
Post by catatonic on Nov 8, 2006 22:06:28 GMT -5
YES!!!!! ABSOLUTELY TEST YOUR SON'S IRON LEVEL!
The symptoms of anemia are identical to those of ADHD. It is a common and easily remedied condition. I too had a friend whose child was diagnosed with ADHD. She refused to accept the diagnosis until a thorough physical workup was done, and anemia turned up in the blood tests. Four weeks of iron supplementation and his "ADHD" was cured.
While you're getting his iron level tested, have his thyroid checked. NEVER accept that your child "just" has ADHD, until you are certain that is the case. Get a complete blood workup done. The doctor may tell you that you are wasting your time and money -- and you may be -- but it's important to go through the process. Would you treat recurring severe headaches with strong narcotics without ever bothering to check for a brain tumor or high blood pressure? Any doctor who did that would be a complete idiot. Why don't they impose the same standards of caution on themselves when treating ADHD?
Get the testing done. Odds are, you will find that your child has ADHD, not anemia. But why gamble when a simple blood test will answer the question?
Just to clarify...my ranting and raving on this topic is NOT aimed at making you feel guilty for using medication. It's the doctors I get angry at. A complete metabolic work-up should be part of EVERY diagnosis of ADHD. Most parents don't know to ask for this, they trust that their doctors are doing the right thing. So get the test. At the very least, you'll be able to tell your friend, "Thank you, I took your advice, and the blood tests show he's fine."
|
|
|
Post by kc4braves on Nov 8, 2006 22:22:35 GMT -5
Thanks. Can you tell me a few tests that I should definitely request? I'm thinking we go to have our next check-up, I will ask him about blood work. We shouldn't have to pay anything to have it done on base if he will order it. I don't think iron will fix everything but seems simple enough to check out.
Kathy
|
|
|
Post by catatonic on Nov 8, 2006 22:32:49 GMT -5
You're right, iron most likely won't fix everything. And if you go into the testing with that outlook, then you won't be too disappointed if the tests all come back normal. Typically what you want to have done is a CBC (this is where anemia will show up), a comprehensive metabolic panel (looks at liver and kidney function, sugar level, carbon dioxide, protein, etc), and a thyroid panel.
|
|
|
Post by kc4braves on Nov 9, 2006 9:59:01 GMT -5
Thanks bunches. I'm off to see my ds in his 5th grade musical. He has a part as a rapper in a construction crew. lol Should be hilarious! lol
KAthy
|
|