My dr. suggested I get my son a Lead Test and Hemoglobin test. Is this really necessary? How many others have had this test done for their children?
My boys have had it done at the health department. I was just a finger prick. I don't remember if it was just lead or something else too. You can call the health dept.
Our pediatrician also suggested we get it done if our house was over 50 years old (when they used lead based paint). Of course it had been painted over a million times but its a good idea.
My daughter just started seeing a new pediatrician for her 2 yr old check-up and the dr ordered both tests to be done. I did do the test, even though we live in a brand new house, figuring it was due to the lead that they were finding in toys?? I asked my friends wife who's a dr and she said they just started recommending every kid have it done to rule out any underlying issues that we might not be aware of. It doesn't hurt anything to have it done.
I had my son tested. We live in a new house so I wasn't worried about that, but there is a map of each state that indicates which counties have higher lead levels in the soil. We happened to be in one of those counties. Your pediatrician should have that map and maybe that is why they suggested it. Hope this helps
R.,
The parent advisor I have for Parents as Teachers suggested it to my husband and I since we live in an older home. Lead piant wasn't outlawed until the early 80's. Also she told us that there is lead in the soil and now that our son is on the floor a lot for tummy time and trying to crawl, we bring the soil in on our shoes and track it through the home. So it's just a precaution. I had Cameron's level checked at out WIC appointment. They just did a finger stick, he didn't even flinch. My husnabd and I figure it's better to be safe than sorry.
My kids all had it done. Holding them down to give the blood is no fun. It is worth a check just to make sure for your kids health and safety.
I had the same question. I hated the idea of making my poor kiddo go thru a blood draw. It really wasn't that bad. It seems that routine labs of this sort are done almost everywhere around 1 year. I guess it's better safe than sorry, with all the "lead" scares out there.
Also, they like to check for anemia, and again, better to be on the safe side. We had it done at the 15 month appt.
We had our son tested as a precautionary. We moved into our home 2 years before he was born and I wanted to make sure it turned out ok. Plus, daycare wants a copy of them and it makes it easier and to be rest assured.
Yes it is Lead is very dangerous it can be found everywhere not only in toys and lead based paint.They measure the amount of what you have in your body my son started getting tested at a young age and has since he was 4 until recently at his 5 yr check up the dr didn't seem to be concerend since it stayed the same under 5 and it has only been a 2 and his sis sho will be 2 didn't have a high level but she will be tested again until she is 4 yrs old as well.They say it is more harmful in children under 6 yrs of age for more detalied information do a search (www.lead.com)wrong site do a search instead of the .com after lead and alot of sites will come up and it'll sacre the pants off you. The effects it has on children and the unborn.As for the hemoglobin my daughter was borderline anemic and had to be given an Iron supplement it would have gotten worse and undetected if I rejected to have her tested.My daughter was a very good eater I was surprised to get the news but now she is fine and nolonger needs the supplement.
My son has had lead tests and Hemoglobin tests before. The main reason the doc recommended the lead tests was we were living in an old farmhouse. Children's exposure to lead-based paint is higher in these homes. The Hemoglobin test was to check his iron levels. In my opinion, it's just good information to have periodically.
