Lead Test

Hi Keisha: I think that if they were really worried they wouldn't have sent a letter in the mail - -they would have called. Where do you live and how old is your house?

If he has lead in his system, getting it tested is the right thing to do as you can take action on it. A program of chelation will be started which leaches the lead out of the system through food and other ways. Leafy veggies are the best but there is something about Kale with kids under a certain age so check it out before you start. I made all my son's baby food with organic products and remember Kale was an issue. Try spinach and push the lettuce.

Lead is only around in the paint in older houses boats and bridges. It was stopped in paint and in gas for cars because of the effects on children mainly although the worst case I ever knew of was in my friend Paul who was an adult. Dr. Chisolm was the leading expert on the subject and practiced in Baltimore until his death about 5 years ago. I read anything I could get my hands on when my son was young. My husband at the time worked on bridges and overpasses which are loaded with lead. I could always tell when his levels were elevated as he was a meanie then.

At about the time that lead issues peaked, phosphates stopped being used in cleaners. Phosphate is the only thing that can neutralize the effects of lead while cleaning. At the time I stopped researching lead paint(i.e. moved into a new house), they had not done any studies that linked the two but in my mind they are linked.

If you are in an older house, get some dry automatic dishwasher detergent, and add it to your cleaning products. I used Murphy's Oil Soap, dishwashing detergent (1/4 - 1/2 cup) water and sometimes ammonia. It works wonders by the way. Also TSP - which is the ingredient you are seeking from the Dishwashing detergent is found in hardware stores so use that if you can find it. The down side is that it wreaks havoc on the water systems. Lead is most common around windows and doors. If you have an older house, you want to keep his windows closed in his room at least. I would also recommend a HEPA air filter for his room (COSTCO). If you have recently stripped paint from anywhere, this is the problem. Be VERY careful of any renovations as you can cause your home to be uninhabitable. Scary but true.

I lived in two lead filled houses and had no issues with my son. I am not the best cleaner in the world, and hired someone to do it when I could. She used the detergent. Again, if you have an older house, get it tested, and if he is in day care in an older place, that may be the issue.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Kerry

I would guess that maybe the test came back showing that there MAY be a problem, that just needs further looking into to rule out that there is an issue. That is how I would try to look at it. Don't worry until they tell you there is something to worry about.
A short while back, did you remove all those toys that were recalled from lead based paints? I believe most of them (or all?) were from China. I would say that if you can't think of a reason for there to be a problem, there probably isn't. If you know your house is painted with lead-free paints, and your son doesn't go anywhere that is...and don't own toys such as the ones that were recalled, I bet the situation will be all cleared up soon!
K.

My friends' children and my baby were all given a bloodtest for lead levels at 1 year. I don't know if the Office test was a blood test of something more preliminary.

Since lead exposure is culmulative and can result in mental retardation, etc, they test early to check.

Don't worry, they want to retest, they didn't say anything is definitely wrong. Don't borrow trouble. Further, if it were of immediate concern I think you would have gotten a personal call from the pediatrician. Whenever anything was amiss with tests my daughter had, the ped called.

Don't even stress it. They sent you a letter!
It's bad news if they call you and tell you something and it's even worse if they call and tell you, you need to come back to talk to the Dr.
I've had my fair share of "dates" with Dr's and specialists for myself and my son (14 months), a letter is a good thing!

I could be possible she is request another test because she wants to make sure that the results is correct from the test that she requested the first time. I had this happen to me before with one of my kids.