Anaemia - symptoms and serious (toddler)?

[CommonSenseSuze]

DD (2 years, 4 months) had a blood test yesterday which revealed that she's "slightly" anaemic. The result was 10.7 and should be 12, apparently. The doc recommended I give her an iron supplement, but I already give her the Animal Parade multivitamin/mineral tablets which should have about 30% of the RDA for iron.

I'm amazed therefore that she's anaemic, as I'm so careful with her diet.

The doc said that she's not worryingly anaemic, but can anyone offer any advice on this please? Is this something that can fluctuate on a daily basis? Are there other symptoms of anaemia that I should look for?

Thank you!

[mumbar]

Not advice really but my iron count was tested when I was 10 yo, it was 10.8 and then 9.4 next month after iron . It reached a high of 11.4 2 years ago and the GP celebrated . I'm 30 now and it's settled about there. There is no cause as such just been told my body doesn't absorb iron vey well - no implications tho it's normal for me iyswim.

Symptoms of ill effect are pale skin, very tired and sometimes breathlessness.

Is there a supplement that gives her a higher amount of the RDA???

Keep us posted.

[CommonSenseSuze]

Thanks mumbar. I'm glad you're ok now.

I'm not sure if there's a higher RDA supplement. I'm a bit wary of iron supplements for small children, as I believe they can lead to liver damage (although I could be wrong!).

DD is pale, but she's blue-eyed and has white blonde hair, so I suppose she would be natually light-skinned really. She's full of energy and doesn't seem to get breathless.

Hmmm, I wonder if the key is in getting more vitamin C into her, to help absorb the iron.

Thanks again!

[sneezecakesmum]

Iron in the diet is absorbed better than supplements. So red meat, liver, etc are preferred. Also certain foods / drinks reduce iron being absorbed - my DGS loves TEA but dietician said can have v milk, weak but not with his meals.

[sneezecakesmum]

PS at 6 months old his HB was 6.8!!! He was transparent but we didnt notice just thought a bit of sun would colour him up. He was fully bf til that time so bf'ing mums beware!

[CommonSenseSuze]

Thanks sneeze. The doctor told me to severely limit the amount of cows' milk that DD has because this inhibits iron intake, apparently. She doesn't have cows' milk anyway though! She was BF until the age of two.

How is your DGS now?

[CommonSenseSuze]

I'm finding it difficult to find info online about the HB levels. I'm wondering whether 10.7 is a worry and can this fluctuate easily (like my weight!)?

[KickArseQueen]

Hello :) My ds was diagnosed with low Iron a while back. I have issues with iron tablets, but more because they can make you feel really unwell.
I give my son this Its completely natural and comes from a spring which has a natural iron lode nearby.

Oh and by the way, BM contains iron which is very digestable and absorbable by your dd, if its since you ceased feeding her that her iron levels have dropped then that could explain her sudden low level.

I don't think you have a major worry on your hands here, but I really do reccommend the Spatone.

HTH

[CommonSenseSuze]

Hi Kickarse. That's brilliant, thank you very much for that link. I'll definitely invest in some of those sachets. How's your DS now?

I don't know if her iron level has depleted as she's never had a blood test before, but it may well be since stopping BF'ing.

Thanks again!

[KickArseQueen]

You're welcome. :) He's fine thankyou, every now and then I notice a few low iron type symptoms coming back and we go back to the spatone, but otherwise he's fine and most of the time I don't need to supplement him at all.

Glad I could help. :)

[mumbar]

10.7 is not particulary low tbh - for a few months of so it would be fine. It would be considered chronic if it always stayed low but as I said above I've never been 12+!! and its not affected me.

Yes tea with meals can hinder absorption, liver, read meat and greens (esp spinach) are all high in iron. What about an enriched cereal - weetabix or something. Vitamin C is a good way to help absorption - you can buy cheap juicers that you can squeeze real oranges into - thats the best source.

Thats interesting peice of info re b'fding though. With my history if I ever have any more dc I'ts another reason to BF for longer (which is my plan if it happens).

[sneezecakesmum]

Hi. DGS had 5 months of iron supplement (syrup) meant to be 6 but after 5 months of forcing it down, retching, vomiting etc DD stopped and his HB was a respectable 10 or so! The dietician said it was the tea not the milk that stopped iron absorption? Most toddlers glug pints of milk so not sure GP correct here??

DGS is 2 and still bf for naps and sleep. He was a little 4 1/2 lb er at birth so didnt have a normal store in his liver to keep him going for the first 6 months (which it should) b milk has less iron than formula but is much better absorbed. He's not a good eater so mum is extra careful with iron rich foods as mumbar suggests. He's fine now

The saying goes 'look at the child, not the numbers' if DD is lively, healthy and happy I would not be worrying!

[enimod]

my now 11 month old has had and still hsving a course of iron medicine- he was found to be anaemic at three months and is still anaemic- he hates the iron medicine- he spits it out- he has had breathing problems in the past and does tire easily. he is breastfeed still and eats pretty well his solids- likes meat etc-but still anaemic.
should i be asking more questions why he is anaemic- i think his iron levels at 9 months were 9.8?

[KickArseQueenOfTheDamned]

I would ask, and I would also be asking the gp if he can have spatone, it states age 2 and above, but the gp may say its ok.

HTH.