Elevated levels of lead

We got DD's 9-month bloodwork back, and she seems to have slightly elevated levels of lead in her blood. (My ped said that anything above a 4 might be cause for concern, my DD had a 5.1).

I have no idea where this might've come from. I don't have chipping paint. I occasionally dilute DD's juice with tap water instead of the Brita, but if she drinks 2oz from a sippy cup over the course of the day, it's a lot.

Has anyone experienced this? I am very, very scared.

Re: Elevated levels of lead

It could be from her toys since everything goes in their mouths at this age.

What can you do to make the levels decrease??

Re: Elevated levels of lead

Do you breastfeed, b/c if so it could be coming from what you ingest or breathe in.

You could have a lead service pipe to your home or wherever you live. How old is the house/apt bldg you live in?

Have you recently done any major renovations on your home?

I think those are the biggies to figure out where this is coming from.

Re: Elevated levels of lead

OH I'm sorry But please know at his 1 year blood test my little one had an elevated level too, and we were just PERPLEXED about how it could be!!! I seriously had NO answer other than maybe toys or something that he put in his mouth, in any event I went to town after that, I damp mopped our apt every single day, (particularly around windowsills where paint is most likely to be peeling), I got every nook and cranny and kept it spotless as best I could. Any toy that was made in China went in the bin to be safe. Anything that he was mouthing too much got thrown out too. I bought glass dishes for use in the microwave with his food, and we used ONLY those.
When we retested at 2 years it came back normal, absolutely no trace of lead (or nothing notable I should say) so while I still have no idea where it came from, apparently the source has been dealt with.

Oh I should add my husband's job might have been the source, he works with glass, some of it leaded (not every day though), and I make him change his clothing immediately upon coming home now, so any dust or other stuff is not ending up on DS. So if your husband is in construction or another field that might expose him that *could* be a factor.

Don't be afraid to have the test redone as well, my ped requested a second one to confirm the level, as different machines can be calibrated differently so it may have been a fluke. (For us that wasn't the case but I'd check to be sure).

Re: Elevated levels of lead

My son also had an elevated amount, about the same level as yours. Dr. said it can be the way that the blood is handled. I was told that they just changed the range and that when it is in the low range (like ours) it usually is nothing. He even said that the needle they use to take the blood has traces of lead in it. We are being retested again in 3-6 months. I was told that it will probably come back fine once retested. If it were really elevated I would be much more concerned, though I know it is hard not to worry b/c I do too.

Re: Elevated levels of lead

Posted by wanttobeamom

My son also had an elevated amount, about the same level as yours. Dr. said it can be the way that the blood is handled. I was told that they just changed the range and that when it is in the low range (like ours) it usually is nothing. He even said that the needle they use to take the blood has traces of lead in it. We are being retested again in 3-6 months. I was told that it will probably come back fine once retested. If it were really elevated I would be much more concerned, though I know it is hard not to worry b/c I do too.

Re: Elevated levels of lead

My friend's son also had elevated lead levels and she freaked out. Her ped calmed her down though. She too had no renovations, etc. No reasoning.

Her ped told her in the summer if the kids play in the grass or even if another kid has played and then comes over to her son, that can affect it. He said if the baby plays with keys or holds keys and then puts their hands in their mouth, it can also affect it.

His levels came back high at the end of August and the ped said they would retest in October.

I just wanted to let you know from what her ped said sometimes they come back high on the first test for a variety of reasons. Sending her son and your daughter both have a great 2nd test and all is fine.

Re: Elevated levels of lead

Posted by TheDivineMrsM

Posted by Goobster

Do you breastfeed, b/c if so it could be coming from what you ingest or breathe in.

You could have a lead service pipe to your home or wherever you live. How old is the house/apt bldg you live in?

Have you recently done any major renovations on your home?.

I breastfeed.

My house was built in 1952. We actually just had our bathroom retiled, but we were staying with my parents during the reno.

I'm a SAHM (was a guidance counselor), and DH is a teacher, so our jobs aren't exactly hazardous.

Posted by wanttobeamom

My son also had an elevated amount, about the same level as yours. Dr. said it can be the way that the blood is handled. I was told that they just changed the range and that when it is in the low range (like ours) it usually is nothing. He even said that the needle they use to take the blood has traces of lead in it. We are being retested again in 3-6 months. I was told that it will probably come back fine once retested. If it were really elevated I would be much more concerned, though I know it is hard not to worry b/c I do too.

We had the test redone today. I'll say a prayer for both of us.

Re: Elevated levels of lead

Ours too came back elevated. I called the Nassau county dept of health and they told me itwas probaby a fluke.

Apparently, when docs prescribe a cbc, it hapens often, esecially when the lead level is at a 5, like mie and yours was.

Retest dc. We did and it came back normal.