Did you decline 12 month bloodwork? - Page 8

[WhaleinGaloshes]

Originally Posted by riverscout

... I just didn't want the impression to be given that all those who have chosen to not test were defying some kind of recommendation. I get the impression from some on this thread that parents who choose not to test are some kind of fringe group wackos who are defying the Man just for the sake of it...

I understand, and I personally have no problem whatsoever with parents who are informed and choose not to do the test. I have no issue with parents who are not informed and choose not to do the test either, that's their right, although I strongly encourage people to look into it.

[Dido]

Originally Posted by riverscout

I get the impression from some on this thread that they think parents who choose not to test are some kind of fringe group wackos who are defying the Man just for the sake of it, so I wanted to point out that many of us are not defying standard recommendations set forth by major medical organizations.

I think there are some parents on this thread who have made an informed decision not to test, and I would include you among them. I think there are others who simply have a kneejerk negative response to any procedure endorsed by the medical community, and whose comments about lead exposure and testing reveal that they do not have the knowledge necessary to make an informed decision.

[captain crunchy]

We haven't tested for lead and don't plan to for now --- our state has pretty decent standards for notification of whether or not lead has ever been used in the building (when renting or buying) even if it hasn't been used for years -- you have to sign waivers stating you were informed that lead paint or pipes may have been used at some time etc (if you choose to live there) --- We have only lived in one place that was built before lead was outlawed (way before we had dd) and this apartment was built in the 90's and no lead was used so we feel pretty safe in that area --

That, and all the other *risk* factors have been assessed and we decided for now that it isn't something we are going to do based on our daughter's environment --

We don't do "well" visits either and don't vax -- she has never been ill once in all her 26 months --

I am mindful of iron because we are nearly vegan so I do make sure she is getting enough anyway --

It just isn't something we are fearful about -- we choose to focus our energy upon wellness. I don't judge people who test obviously, I just don't feel it is something we need at this point.

[umsami]

Where I live, they test for lead at one and two years via bloodwork.

I didn't decline for my first son because we lived in a pre-WWII apartment... and the paint was chipped in places.

I would have declined for my second son had the red Thomas trains recall not have taken place. Because we had over 1/2 of the items being recalled I felt better to be safe than sorry.

DS1 was a very hard stick... phlebotomists (4 different ones!) tried both of his arms, as well as legs before finally getting a vein. Very traumatic. He just had blood work a few days ago, and is still a hard stick. Our ped ended up taking it off the top of his foot. Traumatic for everybody.

DS2 is the complete opposite...an easy stick. One try, not much crying from him either.

I think if we had been living in a new house and the Thomas recall hadn't occurred, I probably would have skipped the bloodwork.

[SunCB]

Thanks for posting this ?. I had DS1 done and it was not a good experience (took 3 nurses to get it done and several pricks)! I have been trying to figure out if I want to do it for DS2 now (I skipped DS1's 2 yr check after remembering what had happened a yr ago).

[eepster]

Why are we debating what the AAP's or CDC's policy is? Why should we care if lead testing is "standard" "mandatory" or "reccomended" by this gov agency or that? Very few of us follow them on other issues like vax'ing.

The real issue is if we think the testing is a good idea or a bad one.

I think testing is a good idea. I also feel that if your Dr doesn't reccomend it to you that you should be requesting it from your Dr. I feel that if your Dr just hands you a questionair that you should hand it back and say that you don't want to skip an important test just so your insurance company or medicaid doesn't have to pay for it.

Feeding your child organic fruits isn't "standard" "mandatory" or "reccomended" by any gov agency, but many of us insist on it. So why not insist on lead testing?

[caedmyn]

We don't vax or do well baby checks, but I'm seriously considering getting a lead test for DD because of the lead paint in toys issue. I'm not worried about her iron levels as we eat a lot of red meat, but I am concerned about possible high lead levels. But...we don't have a ped and we don't have insurance, so if I do it I'd like to find a less expensive way to do it. Does anyone know if a naturopath or chiropractor can prescribe a lead test, even if I have to go to the hospital lab to have it done?

[riverscout]

Originally Posted by eepster

Why are we debating what the AAP's or CDC's policy is?

Well, it all started when someone stated it was "recommended," and I wanted to clarify. I certainly wasn't advising that anyone follow those recs hook line and sinker. I'm all for making an informed decision. Also, I don't think anyone here is "debating" the recs per se, but just trying to get as much information as possible. I personally find it very interesting, and I am thankful to those here that provided so many helpful links.

[riverscout]

Originally Posted by eepster

So why not insist on lead testing?

I agree that even in an area where testing is not routine, parents should look into the risks, make an informed decision about whether or not to test, and if they feel one is needed, request it even if the pediatrician doesn't offer or recommend it.

[riverscout]

Originally Posted by eepster

I feel that if your Dr just hands you a questionair that you should hand it back and say that you don't want to skip an important test just so your insurance company or medicaid doesn't have to pay for it.

*bolding mine*

Lead screening is actually mandatory at 12 and 24 months for medicaid eligiblilty, regardless of risk factors.

[*guest]

Originally Posted by caedmyn

Does anyone know if a naturopath or chiropractor can prescribe a lead test, even if I have to go to the hospital lab to have it done?

I'd assume an ND could definitely do it, not sure about a chiro. However, just call your state or city health department. They may offer the test for free. My town does this. Although the test at the health department is usually the more painful, less accurate finger prick, so finding a private lab or hospital that deals with plenty of kids is probably a good idea.

[GradysMom]

what an informative thread ! also we have stopped wbv and I did not know this was a routine proceedure for 12 mo

[OGirlieMama]

This really was an informative thread.

Staceychev, your daughter's story has really lit a fire under me. I've been putting off my girls' testing for several months because I just hate the tears and hysterics that result, even though it's brief. My girls spend 9 weeks in the NICU and had a lot of follow-up blood tests, so I just hate to cause any more pain to them, even though I do feel this testing is important. I was thinking they were more likely to be anemic than have lead issues, but you've really opened my eyes to the possibility. I'm going to get them down to the lab before their next WBV on 9/5. Thank you and good luck to you.

[SweetTeach]

we chose to do the lead and anemia test when ds turned 1. he had no obvious risk factors and his number came back at 4. that is considered an acceptable level but we decided to try and figure out why he has any lead at all. we sent our water to the epa to get tested and it came back fine. we have tried to be aware of other sources of exposure and he just had his (almost) 2 year old wbv and we made sure to do the test again. for us, any exposure is too much so we want to stay on top of it. he cried during the blood draw but got over it veeery quickly.

[forest~mama]

We don't do structured dr. visits, but maybe we should have dd checked for lead. We know our 1920 house has it, and so she probably has it in her system. Thanks for the notice mamas!

[OGirlieMama]

I had to update. I took the girls for their bloodwork today and reviews from the girls were decidedly mixed.

Lilly went first, and she's usually the more sensitive one, but she was such a trouper. Didn't even cry when they put the tourniquet on, and only cried when they actually stuck her. She settled quickly afterwards and I handed her to grandpa, who came with me because grandma's not brave enough, and I preferred not to have to take them alone and have one of them not be held after her shot.

Poor Katie, who is usually my fearless muffin, was flipping out even before they got the tourniquet on. She calmed down enough for them to start, though, and when they stuck her, I watched the tube. Nothing. No blood. She pushed in further, pulled out and said the vein was rolling, and she kept trying. It was horrible. Katie was turning so red, screaming so badly that I had to tell the phlebotomist to stop, because I couldn't let Katie be in such pain when there wasn't even anything happening and she probably wasn't going to get the vein out at that point. I have bad veins, so I know the drill. Apparently she inherited mine.

She was hyperventilating and so upset. It was so awful to see her that way. She is such a tough little kid and has been through a lot in her shor life without much complaint, so I know it must've really hurt. In the end I decided that we'll see what Lilly's numbers come back at, and what the ped says at our appointment in 2 weeks. If he says take Katie again, I'll wait a few more weeks and try then. And hydrate the heck out of her beforehand in hopes that it'll help.

When we got her calmed down and back home, they both took almost an hour's nap and were totally fine the rest of the day. But they got a lot of extra cuddles anyway.

[*Karen*]

I would do both.

[momma-d]

We just got our referral for our bloodwork at DD's 12 month check-up...and ...we're going to do it. It's not putting any foreign substances in her system, but it could catch something important...I plan on holding her, comforting her, offering her boob right after...and asking for topical anasthesia...it should (finger crossed) be over quickly...

[OGirlieMama]

I'm bumping because we got our results yesterday at our WBV. Well, Lilly's results only since they never got any blood out of Kate. Her CBC was fine and she's not remotely anemic. Her lead level was 3.7. I'm really bothered by that. I know that's well below the threshold of 10, but it's not as low as I want it to be. The ped said yes, obviously there is some exposure, it's not at a danger level, but we'll repeat the test in a year. That feels like a long time away. Not that I am anxious to repeat the blood draw, but now I feel uncomfortable about it. He did say we can assume Kate's exposure is the same, but we can't know that, so we'll do her test in a few months and hopefully she'll have better veins then. I'm leaning towards asking to have Lilly re-tested then, too.

In the meantime I'm going to try and push as many of the "lead-unfriendly" foods as possible (http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/nutrition.pdf) although honestly they eat most of what's on that list already in pretty high quantities, except for red meat which they don't really love.

This house was built in 1959. I'm sure there's lead in here. And now I'm suspicious of all the toys, of course. Pretty much everything. Urgh. :

[Bunnybee]

Well, I had DD's lead level checked today and all they told me is that is is "low"! She had the finger prick in the office. They said it was too small to measure, hence the result of "low". Should I feel happy/safe at this result? SHould I have requested the blood draw or would that only be necessary if she got some other result form the finger prick?
P.S. She did not even cry or flinch...she sat on my lap and it was not traumatic at all!