The point of blood tests?? My dyspraxic/mildly autistic son has 2nd apt with paediatric consultant today

[MsMargotBeauregarde]

........... and the last time we saw her she said she'd take bloods next time.

I don't see the point of it. It's not as though being dyspraxic/autistic is a chromosonal disorder, so can it even be diagnosed with certainty by a blood test???

I'm definitely not having more children so there'd be no benefit to knowing if this is something I carry

And finally, even if they do turn 'round and say........ yes, he is on the ASD, well, I already have a report telling me that.

Physically my son is a robust little guy, with no health problems, loves his food, sleeps well, he loves his food! Always running around and very active (I'll probably find out he has ADHD as well if I mention that)

What do you think? Would you allow your physically healthy son to be traumatised by blood tests that have no purpuse than you can think of???

I mentioned to his SALT a while ago that I was going to say no to them and she didn't comment. So I know she thinks I should make him have them. My son doesn't like being measured for new shoes. Even that is a battle!!!! sticking a needle in his arma nd taking blood that'll be next to impossible anyway,,,,,,,

Am I missing something?

Moondog? you around?

They usually like to check iron levels and lead levels (as high lead can contribute to LD's) and it's standard in many places to rule out Fragile X. It is worth having the test for that, because if problems are being caused by Frag X it is much easier to access services. Allegedly (a Mum of a boy who turned out to have Frag X told me that- she said when he was dxed with autism it was battle after battle, Frag X dx and bam -loads of pros out of the woodwork).

Ds1 had to have a blood test at 3- I have to say the nurses who did it were absolutely fantastic. No fussing or faffing, dh had him on his lap another nurse had the job of holding his arm steady whilst the second nurse took the blood. DS1 managed to kick the bed next to him across the room -he's severely autistic - so doesn't do medical examinations- but it took seconds and as soon as it had finished he was fine and happy. He's always very keen to go back to hospital as well so it didn't put him off. I think things like hearing tests and even BIBIC were more traumatic for him as it involved him being expected to do something (and he did eventually refuse point blank to go anywhere near the CDC where those sorts of assessments took place)

Ours were for calcium levles, iron levels, fragile x, and some other things I can't remember. I think the fragile x is pretty routine where autism is suspected. ds1 didnt like it much, but it was over in a few minutes., He was a bit nervous of drs for a while afterwards but easily reassured by the promise of no more 'hurting drs'!!

By the way, the runnign around and energy is a common symptom of dyspraxia. Mr ds1 can be liek that a lot of the time.

Thanks Saintly! This sheds some light on why they would take bloods.

I did google fragile x a while ago, and it doesn't really strike any chords...

if it were fragile x, would one of my brothers have it? I have 2 brothers, both fine. (not sure about that, but if fragile x comes from the mum, then I'd have to have got it from MY mum, so my two brothers would also have to have inherited the same damaged chromosone that they are testing my son for!? - have I understood that right?)

Lead levels.. Interesting. hmmm. I think my son would need to be sedated before a blood test. You've no idea!!!! WHAT A PERMORMANCE he can make!

Oh don't worry mrsmargot. If they have the experience they will be fine. It took 5 people to try and hold my son down for an x ray to see if his ankle was broken- and they didn't manage it. Nor has anyone ever managed to take his blood pressure. But the blood test was a very impressive performance. I was really impressed. He got out of dh's arms, kicked the bed across the room - but that arm was held completely still and the other nurse got the blood first time. True professionalism!

Frag X can be a spontaneous mutation I think. And if it did come via your Mum your brothers could have got her other (normal) chromosome. I didn't think my son had it either (he didn't), but they like to rule it out as it's the most common testable cause of autism.

would it help it you requested numbing cream? I thinkt hey can prescribe it so you can put it on in the morning beforehand.

They told is not to bother with the numbing cream as it would just make ds1 more distressed - by having to wait and by feeling funny.

Thanks Saintly, spontaneous mutation !! wow. You know your stuff!

I just had a look at fragile x on wikipedia and that face that they illustrate as being typical does remind me of the only other little boy I know with fragile x. (my son has an extremely normal appearance).

But. I have a more open mind to the blood tests now. I think I will let them TRY bvut if he becomes incredibly distressed then I'll call a halt to procedings. I wonder could they give him something, a drink, to make him sleepy first??

Ah I was wrong about spontaneous mutations although you can have unaffected males with a 'premutation'.

DS got very upset by the blood test. The numbing cream caused most of the problem as he has a sensory issue with cream. so he was hugely stressed before they started!. It was stressful as it took 3 of us to hold him, but just as Mrs T said, that arm stayed exactly where it needed to be and it was over in a couple of minutes.
I second not bothering with the cream, especially if your DS has sensory issues.

We have been told ds2 needs to have blood tests, but were simply given a letter to carry around incase he needs to go to A&E and we are to get them to take his blood . This was from March last year, and till have not had blood taken.

update

back from the hospital and the consultant completely agreed that there wasn't an awful lot of point doing blood tests. She just asked a few questions about what's up next for him. ABA, pending a home tuition grant, and said if it's not approved give her secretary a ring. So it was all very reassuring and I had been dreading it. My son hi-fived her before he left!! and he said bye and waved, so I was proud of him. He behaved so well. phew.

Good news.