2 year old's haemoglobin level 5.1 worried

[whereareyousleep]

My DS (will be 2 next month) had some blood tests done recently due to a some concerns over his weight he is only 10kg. Though we mainly went to see dr as he had started complaining of leg pain.

The results came back with haemoglobin levels at 5.1 but Dr said ferratin was normal so this was good. I've been asked to pick up a prescription for him tomorrow.

I've had a quick google and this level seems really quite low but I'm not sure because ferritin is normal if I need to be worrying or not?

Is this level ok or am I right in thinking that there must be something else going on.

I work in a hospital lab, would expect a child to have haemoglobin (hb) higher than an adult so more like 13.0-15.0 to 20.0. You wrote the result as 5.1 I'm assuming the unit for that is g/dL, which is the old way for of reporting it (older medics tend to still say it that way). The new is 51.0g/L so if your looking at the internet they will prob be using new. The decimal point is important!

For haemoglobin to form in the body, specifically within red blood cells it needs Iron, and iron needs ferritin to attach to until it gets made into haemoglobin, (we can't make iron it's from food). Iron can't float around free in the body. So the ferritin level is important because if it's low that process can't happen as well. So dr thinking it's good because does make iron deficient anaemia unlikely. Although there are conditions that happen because the body gets around the lack of iron.

The level of 5.1g/dL for Hb is quite low for a child but without knowing what other tests the drs ran its impossible to say what's going on. Can be caused by lots of things.
A level that low would trigger a film in my lab but bit different everywhere. Also dr should repeat to make sure it wasn't a sample problem. Would definitely recommend repeat on first time test that low.

Thanks for the reply

Yes sorry the level was 5.1 g/dL to be honest I think the dr rand every blood test he said everything else was ok apart from TSH which was high but T4 was fine which he said indicated subclinical hyperthyroidism which they would monitor.

It was the haemoglobin level that worried me the most he said he would have liked to see a level above 11.5. Will the medication bring up the level quickly enough or should the dr be doing something else in feeling really anxious tonight I don't think googling has helped.

Googling will only stress you, it brings out the paranoia in all of us! Stop that now!
That's great that dr has ran loads to rule out lots. I don't mind when a dr orders everything, it just means he's wants to see the whole picture.
If it was my baby I would be also worried but I assume your DS is fine in himself, not overly fussy or tired. That means he's not symptomatic (never known leg pain to be a symptom). It means his body is coping just fine at that level. It's not something you need to run him to hospital for.
Let the meds take effect and go from there. If it makes you feel better, to do something, try getting him to eat foods that increase Hb. Red meat, spinach etc

I don't no much about the medication for it so couldn't say how long it takes. I think the dr can't do much else until the repeat test to see how well the meds have worked.

That's brilliant thanks for that you have put my mind at rest somewhat. He is unfortunately a poor eater he will eat anything so isn't fussy but eats very little he just doesn't have much of an appetite. I will try my best to get some more into him.

I'm glad you feel better. I'm sure it's all fine and nothing to worry about. Try to get some sleep. You'll need your energy for sneaking greens into meals tomorrow! Your doing great!

Does he drink a lot of milk? Drinking lots of milk can contribute to low iron levels.

No not really he only has a cup for bed then one when he wakes so may be 1/2-1 pint a day he drinks squash or water other than that.