My DD is Anemic, I am glad I listened to my mummy intincts.

[Salad]

Just got back from the doctors and it turns out my DD has anemia normal iron levels are supposed to be 9 and she is 3.3.

We had been having so much trouble with her very moody and sleep problems etc, been battling with what could be the problem for about 3-4 months now. We had cut out or eliminated additives etc from her diet which helped heaps but there was something else not quite right.

She is 16 months old and only weighs just under 9kg, I just thought she was petite but then it occured to me that she really has not put on any weight since 12 months, at her 12 month check up she weighed 8.56kg.

She is pale and her bruises take ages to heal, I mean 3-4 weeks to heal and she also bruises very very easily.

I thought she could have been diabetic but that came back all clear.

We have been referred to a Paed to discuss further what we need to do, which will probably be iron supplement etc and also to check her out further.

Does anyone else have a DS/DD with anemia?

[~Trish~]

I'm glad you have found the problem, good on you for taking things further .

I don't have a child with anaemia, but I suffered with it myself for years. It wasn't diagnosed until I was 14. Until then my mum just thought I was a lethargic child, others thought I was just lazy . Once I started on supplements it made a big difference to my energy levels .

Best of luck with your paediatric appointment

[Mad Scientist]

Hi Salad,

I'm sorry to hear that your bubba is anaemic but I'm very glad that she doesn't have diabetes. Hopefully the therapy will help. Good on you for going with your gut feelings. xx

[skybie]

oh hun, im so glad u have answers and its not diabetes!
fingers crossed the supplement is all she needs to get back to her normal self

[meow]

A good friend of mine from playgroup found out her son had about the same iron levels about 6 months ago. She suspects he has coeliac disease. It's not confirmed as she said the test requires more food eliminations and blood tests- both of which he's had lots of lately so she's holding off for now. But she has put him on a gluten free diet and he's improved amazingly. She didn't want to use supplements (I'm not really sure why) so mostly she boosted his iron with organic livers and it worked really well.
Must be such a relief to have an answer and know you can help your daughter feel better now

[Rivlas]

DD1 levels got to 4 while she was a teenager and she still has problems. We found the best iron to take was in liquid form and it worked quickly and didn't muck up her bowels like some of the tablets can.
Her body doesn't take in iron from the foods she eats, weird child