Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Pale and tired 10 year old.

46 replies

Foodtheif · 18/02/2019 22:14

My 10 year old seems to be permanently tired at the moment. He is looking pale and has dark circles under his eyes. I think school is quite exhausting and I’ve told him he needs to catch up on some sleep this half term but is anyone else’s 10 year old like this? He can be quite irritable too but I guess that comes with tiredness and growing up too. He has a chewy vitamin everyday. I guess he could do with an extra hour of sleep but doesn’t ever have a lie in when able to. He probably games a bit more than I’d like and we are stopping that from tomorrow in case that isn’t helping. Any other tips or anyone in the same boat?

OP posts:
Dextrodependant · 18/02/2019 22:16

Is he thirsty and needing the toilet a lot?

My DS was tired all the time and had dark circles before he was diagnosed with Diabetes.

Could be totally unrelated it just struck a chord with me.

Toilet
Tired
Thirsty
Thin

Those are the signs of T1.

Original poster
Foodtheif · 18/02/2019 22:18

This is something I’m worried about as his sibling has just been diagnosed a few months ago. However, he’s not needing the toilet a lot and he’s not really thirsty. Just tired. I really hope he’s not getting it too. Thanks though.

OP posts:
whiteroseredrose · 18/02/2019 22:19

Anaemia? DD was pale and permanently tired (and wanted to crunch ice, bizarrely). She was anaemic and is much better now that she takes iron.

Original poster
Foodtheif · 18/02/2019 22:21

Could be anaemia. Such a worry. Think will see how he goes for a bit and then make a doctors appointment if necessary.

OP posts:
Dextrodependant · 18/02/2019 22:28

Sorry to hear about his sibling. Getting through the first few months was one of the hardest times of my life so my heart goes out to you.

Just keep an eye out, at least you know what you are looking for. I would prob do a finger prick if only to rule it out.

Could be so many things with that age though, growth spurt, hormones, too many late nights....

Fiveredbricks · 18/02/2019 22:29

Get bloods done and make sure they check for Lymes!!

Original poster
Foodtheif · 18/02/2019 22:30

I am tempted to do a finger prick but don’t want it to make the blood meter readings look ‘out’. He also would be dead against us doing this as it all scares him. We are just about finding our way. It was such a shock. Fingers crossed he doesn’t develop it. I don’t think any of us would cope with that.

OP posts:
ShortandSweet96 · 18/02/2019 22:32

Lack of iron?

Merryoldgoat · 18/02/2019 22:33

I had similar symptoms and I had a Vit D deficiency - easily remedied with high strength supplements if it’s that but no idea of the dosage for children.

Frazzledmum123 · 18/02/2019 22:37

I'd second getting bloods done, with children they give you a cream to apply at home a few hours before to numb the area so it's not a really distressing thing for them. My ds7 had 2 lots done recently and was fine and he's usually funny about these things. Better to give you peace of mind

Avigeth · 18/02/2019 22:53

Before you start pricking and prodding him - wait and see how the less gaming time plan pans out. If your son spends more time in front of the screen than outside that may well be the reason. We've had that problem too - pale, dark circles, tired but otherwise fine. Turned out he was sneaking a flashlight after bedtime and was reading for far too long. And since it was winter and cold he was glued to the tablet for most of the day. Hope it's as simple as that.

BusySnipingOnCallOfDuty · 18/02/2019 22:56

He may be missing out on getting vitamin D naturally, from not being outside enough.

I get this.

I've also had anaemia several times, its common and easily treated.

I'd make an appt for a week's time anyway.

Dellow · 18/02/2019 23:06

I had these symptoms at this age & it turned out that I had glandular fever. Worth a GP trip and sorting anything obvious as above - iron/ vit d / getting enough sleep

user1496259972 · 18/02/2019 23:11

Vitamin D - you can get a 400iu spray from kids off Amazon.

BeanTownNancy · 18/02/2019 23:17

I was pale and tired and clumsy, and I was anemic. How is his dietary iron intake? Is he getting enough sunlight at the moment? Hopefully as it gets lighter, he might start to improve. If not I'd take him to the doctor. :)

CountFosco · 18/02/2019 23:22

Is he Y5 or Y6? My 11yo is constantly pale and complaining about stomach aches but she's had every test going and they've found nothing. I'm hoping it's abdominal migraines and not subclinical Crohns (family history of IBD).

But anyway Y6 has made things worse, school is doing a lot of SATs prep they are expecting her to be exceeding in everything. She's very conscientious so is feeling the pressure. Could that be an issue? We're spending half term not thinking about schoolwork (and getting outside and doing exercise every day).

mrsfollowill · 18/02/2019 23:28

My DS was like this at 12 - was falling asleep in class- turned out he was anemic- much improved with iron supplements. Has he had a growth spurt lately? Mine went from short and a bit tubby to 6" taller and skinny as a rake within weeks-MIL said he 'outgrew' himself! Take him to the GP?

Laterthanyouthink · 19/02/2019 00:35

I had very dark circles under eyes before finding out I have coeliac disease and probably had it since I was a child. My sibling was diagnosed with diabetes though and other family members have thyroid issues.

Coeliac should be checked for before IBS diagnosed too.

Original poster
Foodtheif · 19/02/2019 08:05

Yeah we are going to slack off the gaming this week and see how that goes. He does get outside but we will be doing more of that! A few early nights and encouraging lie ins. If no improvement will take him to the doctor for a once over. He’s in yr 5 but they put a lot of pressure on and I know he finds maths quite difficult and that is stressful for him. Dread the extra pressure of year 6!

OP posts:
Original poster
Foodtheif · 19/02/2019 08:06

He has had a growth spurt which could also be taking a lot out of him. He has grown roughly a centimetre a month since August which is quite a lot and may explain some of the tiredness and the aches and pains he occasionally complains of.

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 19/02/2019 08:16

If you already have a BM machine, I really would just do one test. It might put your mind at rest. (Pears nurse)

noctu · 19/02/2019 08:19

Agree, just do a blood glucose finger prick - if it’s ok, you’ll feel better, and if it’s not, he’ll get the treatment he needs (and feel better!)
Undiagnosed T1 is not to be messed with, as I’m sure you know from your other little one

Original poster
Foodtheif · 19/02/2019 11:57

We have clinic tomorrow so don’t want to mess up her bloods for that. May do it tomorrow after clinic. Or ask them to do it. Do you think they would? He will be with us because of half term.

OP posts:
Original poster
Foodtheif · 20/02/2019 19:19

Well he’s had a couple of screen free days and is a bit better. He has some colour in his cheeks again and is a little less irritable. Still quite tired but I think he just needs to catch up on some sleep. Feeling a little bit better about him now. Better enough to see how he goes for little bit before booking a doctors appointment.

OP posts:
Original poster
Foodtheif · 11/04/2019 22:06

Well he’s still pretty tired and lethargic. Gave him a blood prick a couple of weeks ago and he was fine. Just need to give him an energy boost - where’s the sunshine!

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread