Blood tests for 16YO DS - low mood

[EightAmendment]

Hi. I know that my DS has periods of low mood, there's many reasons for this that I don't want to get into. He's recently started seeing a counsellor and she has requested that I take him to his GP for blood tests. Can anyone tell me more about this and if this is something your teens have gone through and in what way it's been helpful? We won't take the medication route at this point so what can a GP do really?

[isthewashingdryyet]

Check all the vitamins B12, D, folate and ferritin.
check for iron levels

as well as the usual things

aneamia can cause low mood, so can Vit D deficiency

sounds like a sensible counsellor

[EightAmendment]

Thank you that's helpful. I guess I just feel that the GP will suggest counselling which we are already doing but it sounds like a blood test might also be helpful.

[mangololly]

Yes, it's a good idea. Definitely do it.

[EightAmendment]

Okay thanks, I'll book it today.
Also wondering, DS (in Y11) sometimes can't manage school. Like every couple weeks he'll miss one or two days. Is it worth mentioning this to the GP? I am wondering if GPs can prescribe anything at all to take the edge off the anxiety so he can attend, as he has his GCSEs this year. He's a high achiever and puts a lot of pressure on himself.

[tam409]

My DD had blood tests when we first took her to the GP for low mood - she was diagnosed with celiac disease, which in itself can apparently cause anxiety and depression as well as fatigue. She's got less brain fog/fatigue since moving to a gluten free diet, but it hasn't really helped with the anxiety. I would say definitely worth ruling things like that out though