Lead level of 2

[simplicityissanity]

Hi, Just got a call from the ped. that my LO has a lead level of 2, they said that was "great!". Is that really has great as they make it seem, seems like any lead is bad? Any thoughts on this or if there is anything I can do to further lower LO's levels.

Thanks!

[MamaJenese]

Two is great. Especially if it was a toe prick (which always come back higher then a blood draw). Where we live inner city, lots of construction,older homes two is the lowest anyone I know has ever seen.

[simplicityissanity]

It was a finger prick, looked painful while they were collecting it.... I wonder why a prick would be higher than having it drawn directly from the vein...... purely out of curiosity.... do you know what the logic is between why those numbers would be different?

[MamaJenese]

I don't know why but it is.  DD came back 38 f heel prick 4 blood draw. DS came back 11 heel prick 2 blood draw. We now go straight for the blood draw. This has happened to tons of people I know.

[mama2soren]

We had a similar incident with DS, 13 on the toe prick, 3 on the draw.  It's easy for the toe prick to get contaminated, say, if there's a bit of lead dust on the skin from walking barefoot earlier, etc.  I'll always go straight to the draw from now on.  It's faster, more accurate, and less painful!

[cyclamen]

Originally Posted by simplicityissanity 

It was a finger prick, looked painful while they were collecting it.... I wonder why a prick would be higher than having it drawn directly from the vein...... purely out of curiosity.... do you know what the logic is between why those numbers would be different?

Finger pricks are more likely to be contaminated by lead dust.  Usually if you get a high finger prick they send you back for a venous draw to confirm.  DD had the venous draw and it was kind of brutal but necessary.

[EviesMom]

Our ped says 3 is the typical for NYC. It's just everywhere, so while none is ideal, I've never heard of anything below 2.

[tree-hugger]

Lead levels as low as 2 are indeed thought to harm children. The "safe" amount recommended by the CDC is an arbitrary amount--it does not represent a threshold amount.