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Do doctors run "routine" blood tests on kids or do they have to have cause for concern?

13 replies

cutekids · 20/03/2008 14:13

Told doctor this morning that people had commented on my dd1's "paleness". He thought it might be an idea to run tests for ANAEMIA,KIDNEY FUNCTION and SUGAR. Would he do this unless he had reason. He checked her eyes and when I asked him if she looked unusually pale he said he couldn't comment as he didn't know her aswell as I/friends/family do. I'm so scared.

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cutekids · 20/03/2008 14:15

anyone?

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taipo · 20/03/2008 14:19

Don't have any answers I'm afraid but just wanted to bump this for you.

Hope she's OK.

chickytwotimes · 20/03/2008 14:20

These are very standard tests. Don't be worried. He is doing them to rule out any pathological reason for her paleness. Is she active and well in herself?

cutekids · 20/03/2008 14:20

Thanks Taipo

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FluffyMummy123 · 20/03/2008 14:21

Message withdrawn

theyoungvisiter · 20/03/2008 14:21

I had this with DS, the HV at his 1 year checkup thought he looked pale.

Basically it's nothing to worry about - the anaemia is very common in toddlers because they tend to eat low-iron, dairy-rich diets (doc told me over half have it, most undiagnosed) and can make them a bit tired and more prone to colds and stuff and can be sorted out with iron supplements v easily.

Some docs prefer just to supplement without bothering with the bloods, but my doc said the supplements can cause constipation so he prefers to check whether they are necessary.

The reason they test for kidney function and stuff is because anaemia can sometimes be caused by kidney and other problems, so if they do find a child has anaemia, they then have to go back and test for kidneys etc. It just saves more blood tests for your poor DD if they do find low iron. Most anaemia is purely diet related though, and nothing to worry about.

Anyway my DS is pale as a ghost, just like me at his age, and his iron turned out to be fine - on the low side but within normal boundaries and not requiring supplements.

So hopefully it will all be a false alarm

HTH

cutekids · 20/03/2008 14:23

At the moment,she has a bit of a strange thing going on with her bladder which is the whole reason why I went back this morning.As her URINE results were clear, he told me that it was likely viral but the reason he was sending her for tests was because i'd mentioned that people had commented on her "paleness".He said this was a seperate issue plus the headaches she gets now and again.

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Sidge · 20/03/2008 14:27

He's just being thorough. It's a good idea to check her Hb to make sure she's not anaemic if she's very pale.

If she's been having problems with her urine he will also check her kidney function and glucose levels (sugar) to exclude diabetes.

My DD1 is terribly pale and had her bloods done, they were normal so she is just pale like me!

Don't panic, hopefully all will be well, your GP is doing the right thing by checking her.

theyoungvisiter · 20/03/2008 14:28

well I was told that anaemia can affect their ability to fight off viruses and stuff, so I think he is being sensible in checking it out to make sure your dd is in tip top condition for fighting off any bugs.

cutekids · 20/03/2008 14:45

can anaemia be treated?

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Sidge · 20/03/2008 14:56

Yes, iron-deficiency anaemia can be treated with supplements.

Nemoandthefishes · 20/03/2008 15:02

cutekids they dont tend to just run tests but paleness and any tiredness can lead to them running bloods. DD1 has had her bloods done this week for the same thing and she is 2.3yrs. They are also checking oxygen levels in her blood or something. He is just ruling out any potential problems so try not to fret.

cutekids · 20/03/2008 15:05

Thankyou everyone.NandTF,hope all is well with your daughter too.I'm not very good at coping with things when it comes to my kids.Just get really worked up. Let's hope everything's ok anyway and try and enjoy Easter!

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