My DS is getting better!

[redbaybound]

To all of you who so kindly sent prayers my way, thanks. My DS seems to be ok. We think we found the problem. It might have been lead poisoning. When the doctor first suggested it I brushed it off because we live in a brand new house and he attends a brand new school so where would it come from? (By the time we tested for lead it must have already been out of his system but already done some damage.) It didn't occur to me that our cottage up north is over 50 years old and might have lead in the pipes. We put in new plumbing for a bath but we didn't replace the original plumbing in the kitchen.

So now with his suppliments, his iron levels are almost normal and his hair has stopped falling out. We still have to monitor him carefully in case lead wasn't the cause of his anemia but as of now things are looking so much better!

 

[disvaclub92]

Oh My!! Lead poisoning. Wow!!! Who would have thought!!

So glad to hear things are looking better!!!

 

[JeanJoe]

So happy that not only does it seem like you've got an answer, but that DS is getting better!

 

[4fosterkids]

Great news that he is getting better!
That is some scary stuff and makes you wonder about all the "things" around you that could be potential hazards.

 

[PlutoEpcot]

I am happy to hear the good news!!

 

[LoriR]

What wonderful news! I am so happy to hear he is getting better and that you now know the cause.

Lori

 

[BriarRosie]

All I can say is, "Whew." Glad to know he's recovering.

 

[MicMin]

So glad to hear that your son is doing better.

 

[Maleficent2]

So glad to hear he is getting better!

I am sure they told you this or you have researched it as well but if it was lead be sure he is eating loads of Diary!

Be can explain it better being a Ped MD but it has something to do with calcium and lead absorption.

.Proper nutrition is important in the prevention of lead poisoning, especially in young children. A balanced diet of grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy products and selections from meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, nuts or eggs can help decrease susceptibility to lead intoxication. It is particularly important to include adequate amounts of calcium and iron.

Iron
Anemia, a decrease in the quantity or quality of red blood cells, occurs most frequently due to a deficiency of iron. Iron deficiency results in a decrease in the normal quantity of hemoglobin, the protein which carries oxygen in the blood. Lead poisoning can mimic iron deficiency. In fact, lead intoxication can also cause anemia. The occurence of iron deficiency and lead poisoning simulataneously can be synergistic and devastating. Anemia is more severe in these children and up to 50 percent more lead may be absorbed in children with an iron deficiency than in those with normal hemoglobin levels.

Calcium
An adequate calcium intake can protect against lead poisoning. It has been observed in animals and humans that both the absorption and retention of lead decreases as calcium intake increases. increasing consumption of low-cost calcium rich foods can reduce the severity of the effects of lead exposure.

the only reason I know this is we had a scare with our DS last year.

Mal

 

[JoeBillyBob]

DS............................................hmm....................................i got nothing. wat does DS mean?

 

[Beherenow]

wat does DS mean?

DS is short for Dear Son.


Red - I am so glad to hear that he is getting better.

 

[SnowyW]

I am glad your DS is feeling better. And wow what a diagnosis. Sending you

 

[JeanJoe]

Mal's right.

(It's been a while since I thought about it, but I think the reason is that lead, calcium, and iron can all be 2+ positively charged, i.e. Fe2+ / Fe3+, Ca2+, Pb2+, and that if you lack iron, the body tries to absorb as much as it can, and pulls in more lead too inadvertantly. Likewise, if you have lots of calcium, the body absorbs the calcium instead of any lead that might be around. THIS IS ONLY A GUESS -- but it makes sense to me.)

So glad to hear he is getting better!

I am sure they told you this or you have researched it as well but if it was lead be sure he is eating loads of Diary!

Be can explain it better being a Ped MD but it has something to do with calcium and lead absorption.

the only reason I know this is we had a scare with our DS last year.

Mal

 

[vellamint]

Glad your boy is feeling better Red!!

and Be?....that sounded like it hurt your brain!! (Kidding)