ADHD and iron supplements

[goofy's friends]

my DS7's dr. says there is new research linking low iron to ADHD. So, they can test for low iron and if they are low, then they have a major indicator for ADHD. Well, he tested low, so we've been giving him iron. Has anyone else had experience with this and what have been your results? On the one hand, it would be great if this would solve everything without the side effects of ritalin or something. On the other hand, it doesn't seem to be doing that much good yet. How long till we see some improvement?

 

[Christine]

I'm assuming they tested his ferritin. Do you know what his level was?

I have been iron deficient for awhile (my ferritin is at 5 and it has taken me almost 18 months to get it to 35 on low-dose iron supplements). If he is taking a higher dose supplement, the iron can come up fairly quickly given there are no malabsorption issues (like celiac). It is not *normal* to be low on iron, so if your child is low, you need to figure out why.

But to answer your question, it can take weeks to months for the iron levels to rise to an acceptable level. I believe that a ferritin level of at least 70 is the low end of optimal for menstruating women. It is higher for men.

 

[torinsmom]

There is also research that shows that fish oil/DHA supplements can be as effective at treating ADHD as Ritalin. Here you go......

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-391503/Fish-oil-calms-children-better-Ritalin.html

 

[goofy's friends]

Interesting aobut the fish oil. I will ask dr. about that too.

The way I understand it is that it isn't that he doesn't get enough iron in his diet it's how his body stores the iron that is a problem. He said this research shows that 84% of ADHD kids suffer from it and they don't know why. I don't know what his numbers were, but they put him on 325mg ferrous sulfate a day. He's supposed to take another 1/2 pill a day starting tomorrow. I just know iron can be dangerous and it makes me a little nervous, but we are willing to try at this point!

 

[Michelle67]

I went with a friend to a lecture on ADD/ADHD, and they were saying that the kids commonly have a whole range of vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and many have blood glucose assimilation issues (hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, etc). This was not an MD seminar, but a holistic/naturopathic one. If that turns you off, you probably need read no further. However, in case you are interested, this particular RNP was saying that she has had an 85% success rate treating with diet, with "success" defined as the parents reporting marked relief from symptoms. The best news about it, to me, is that taking vitamins and minerals in no way interferes with meds. She said that she does not ask her patients' parents to take them off meds, or in any way go against their doctor's advice. She just provides nutritional information and support, and the patient/parent and doctor can go from there and decide what is or is not working, and what is best for the child. I remember the iron being mentioned, also the B vitamins, and some specific amino acids and things that I do not remember. If you have naturopathic care available in your area, it may be worth it to you to have a visit and see what they say and what you think. It can't hurt anything. Also, when my daughter was seeing a naturopath years ago (whole other story; un-diagnosed food allergies that made her an extremely ill child for the first five years of her life) Blue Cross paid for it since the practitioner is an RNP. They wouldn't pay for herbs/supplements, but those are often reasonably cheap anyhow. Just a suggestion, in case you are interested; your insurance may even pay.

On another note, my daughter also struggles with low iron, and we were told to cook in cast iron once or twice a week to help with that, along with feeding her beans and other foods high in iron. I'm told that watermelon is high in iron as well, but don't know that for a fact myself.

Best wishes, I hope you find the best solution possible for your son.

 

[goofy's friends]

That is interesting, Michelle. Believe me , I'm not opposed to anything. He hasn't been put on meds yet, just iron. We're waiting to see how he responds to it before putting him on anything else.