"Elevated" Lead Level in Toddler

I believe you can buy lead testing strips at Home Depot- My friend had this happen with her daughter and it turned out that their bathtub (old clawfoot tub) was MADE of lead. She said the test strip turned red as soon as she applied it. If there is lead in your home you want to find out about it asap. Good luck!

Do you have an herbalist in your area? There are a couple of herbs that will help flush heavy metals from the body. Not sure what the allopathic doctors recommend.
Good luck!

Hi A.,

First of all, don't panic that is why we test babies and toddlers. Especially in the Northeast where many homes are older, it is not unusual to have lead paint. During renovating lead paint dust can be exposed and toddlers and babies can pick it up on their fingers, toys, etc. and as we know everything goes into their mouths. Your baby doesn't have to chew on the window sill to ingest lead.

You are doing the right thing rechecking with venipuncture. Remember this is a screening tool and treatment is available if your doctor feels it is necessary. Most importantly if your daughter's lead level is elevated, you must research all possible causes of exposure and ensure they are removed. If necessary relocate your daughter until you are sure her environment is safe.

Best Wishes
J. L.

Hi A.
How scary for you to hear this info. I worked with lead paint poisoning back in the 70's for my college clinical assignment in Social Work. Now some 35 years later I work with Nutrition and have asked people in my network to share stories with me so I can help you. Contact me and I will get stories for you to hear how people used nutrition to balance their children's bodies out.
J. H

I really hope that it's just a false alarm. But just in case...

The word that jumped out at me was "renovating". Dust from sanding, scraping, etc. is one of the most common causes of lead poisoning. Was your house built before 1978? If so, it's recommended that you move out during any renovation. If you are still in the process and can't move, tape up sheets over anything that is being worked on.

There is a well written, 10-page document published by the State on lead paint. I'd be happy to send it to you if you don't have a copy. It explains the symptoms, dangers, and treatment of lead paint poisoning, and answers a lot of common questions, like what causes it (home repairs, contaminated soil,etc.) It also gives advice on deleading a home and interim control.

Good luck to you and your little one.

D.

While this hasn't happened with my child, I can tell you lead has been found in places I would never have expected! I had to throw out about 1/3 of my toddler's toys because they popped up on the recalls lists. Even some Boppy slipcovers had elevated lead levels! So, if you have renovations going on, if she chews on toys or crib railings, ingests certain bath products, and wears clothes with decorations, she is at risk. Look at this website(http://www.cpsc.gov/index.html
for the up to date recall listings!
Best of Luck to you and your Little one!

We had a false high level result when my first born was young. It scared the h*ll out of us!! But they retested- not a fun time, it was a full blood draw- and it came back normal. I guess it happens every once in a while. Hopefully this is what has happened with your daughter's results.
They do have a treatment for high lead levels. I understand it is something they do in the hospital? This was 5 years ago- so things may have changed now.
Hopefully it's just a false alarm.
Good luck,
S.

my pediatrician doesn't consider 5 to be a normal level and the state is pushing to have it lowered from 10 to 5 because they are finding side effects from even that small of an amount. We recently had our apartment tested and it tested pos. all over the place even though we were told it was lead free thank god we are moving at the end of April. My pediatrician always tests w/ a vein a never a finger stick because fingers sticks aren't reliable. Is your daughter having any side effects? Speech delay, poor sleeping, motor skills delay, gassy and not eating? The worst is the lead dust you should vacuum it you should wipe it up w/ a wet cloth and use a special cleaner and if your home has lead you should stay somewhere else while the rest of the renovation is going on. I'm surprised at that high of a level that she isn't extremely sick right now. Go to mass.gov and check out the lead poisoning prevention it will give you lots of info about how to prevent it including washing their hand right before they eat to get any dust they might have on them off.