Has any one ever had their toddler's lead level tested by the finger stick test? I've read about testing by finger stick rather than a blood draw on the internet. My pediatrician did not know where I could get the finger stick test done. I've tried calling several local labs also with no success. My understanding is that as long as the value is low the test is accurate, but that if it is elevated that a blood draw would then be needed to get an accurate blood level. My 3 year old had a horrible fear of going to the doctor this last year that we have finally gotten over and I fear that an invasive blood test may set him back. The 1.5 year old won't even allow his hair to be trimmed - I shudder to think about the restraint needed to do a blood draw! Thanks so much for any advice you can give me.
If you do have to go with a blood draw, I would ask (insist) that you get a prescription for EMLA cream to numb the area before hand. We insisted on this for an upcoming blood draw for my daughter... I've used EMLA and it completely numbs the area.
I don't know where to go, but I hope you can find a place. Blood draws are very traumatic for kids - I still remember how much easier a finger prick was.
Dear A.....
I was thinking back on when my daughter was little. LITTLE being the operative word. She was always very tiny for her age. They tested her often for anemia and all kinds of things. They actually poked her in the toe and used a pipette to get a sample. They were so slick about it that the poking didn't even bother her, it was the squeezing of her toe that she didn't like. And, due to gravity, the toe was an excellent choice.
I can't believe your pediatrician doesn't know of any labs or anything that can accomodate your little one.
Here was my idea:
Contact your county health department. If they can't get you in to their clinic, they can tell you where they have CHDP programs. (Child Health and Disability Prevention). Anyone can go to the health department and they charge on a sliding scale. I believe CHDP does as well. They see zillions of babies and provide innoculations and do testing for things. Contact them, in your area, and ask them about it.
Why are you testing for lead? It seems to me that if one child has been exposed, the other one has as well. You should contact your health department and see what they say. At least ask them how they go about screening little children for it.
My daughter didn't have to have a full on blood test until she was 8 years old and it's only because she developed mysterious allergies. She hates the doctor to this day because of it. But, they usually, at least in my experience, unless they are hospitalized or something, don't put little, little kids through it. Think of the logistics....plus their veins are so little.
Ask the health department and let us all know how it goes.
Best of luck and wishes!
Where I lived before (chicago) we only had the lead test done by finger prick. And let me tell you, I don't think it was much better. They prick the finger, which is certainly no big deal, but they then proceed to squeeze out enough blood to fill in a small dime-sized circle COMPLETELY. It can be agony if the blood isn't flowing well, more than 10 minutes of pushing and squeezing and forcing the blood out. Not that pleasant, honestly.
My pediatrician in Chico did the finger prick test with my daughter and it was a lot less traumatic than when my son had his blood drawn and they couldn't find the vein!! If you really want the prick test, I would just be diligent about calling around: try calling other doctors as well as the labs. If you go for the blood draw, call the lab ahead of time to find out who's the best phlebotomist with kids and go when that person is working.
It's amazing to me how many people on this site think it is OK to tell you (and others) that you are nuts or that you are parenting wrong... I hope you have your filters on and don't take them to heart. Good luck with the lead test!
I don't know where you could get it done if your drs office doesn't do it, but just my two cents... I find a finger stick much more painful than a blood draw. With my son (2 1/2) as long as he looks away while they put the needle in, he doesn't even notice, then he things the blood going into the testtube is kind of neat!
From personal experience I've found that the finger sticks are actually more painful than regular blood draws from the crook of the arm. The tips of the fingers are far more sensitive than other parts of the body.
What my daughter didn't like most about the regular blood draw was the excessive restraint. She doesn't like to be held down. Had nothing to do with what type of stick hurt more. So regular blood draws were always a little more traumatic for her. However, I'm her mother and the blood needs to be drawn. It’s going to be unpleasant no matter how the needle goes in so I held her down tight and let the nurse do her job.
You are that child's parent. You know what's best and even kids have to learn that sometimes you have to do what you have to do and all the spitting and screaming in the world isn't going to change that. Hold him down and know that he'll outgrow it.
The "finger stick" is used when veins are too tiny to easily get blood out of. It took about 15 minutes for them to squeeze enough blood out of my son's finger--but he was very cool during the whole process. The problem is the finger stick test can often lead to false positives.
My son had a finger stick test done at River Rock Pediatrics in Folsom. It showed elevated levels of lead, so he had to get blood drawn anyway. The results showed that the stick test was a false positive.
First of all, ignore Peggy S. with re to the hair trimming. I know how it is. If they won't sit still you "can't" cut their hair - its not an issue of the child dictating the parent. My 3 year old went through this phase so I understand but I just kept trying different scenarios and we're back to regular hair cuts.
Anyway, back to the original question - my 15 month old goes to Mercy Medical Group on Coyle in Carmichael - Dr. Walsh. I recall that he had a finger stick lead test at his 9 month appt. It was just slightly elevated and they gave me a list of foods to make sure he was getting. There was no discussion of blood draw vs. finger stick - they just did it and he was fine. I'm not sure what the norm is at other pediatricians. My other son has always seen Dr. Walsh too.
Good luck!
Hi A.,
I am a Nutritional Consultant that works with heavy metal toxicity. There is a non evasive way to accurately check the heavy metal toxicity load which does not involve any blood whatsoever. There is a product that is taken orally.. drops that is completely safe and 100% in and out of the body in 4-6 hours. You basically give these drops and collect urine and send it in to a facility which gives you a complete outline of what heavy metals the body has sequestered and is dumping.
I would like to encourage you to go to:
This is a 10 minute documentary on the realities facing our children (as well as adults) Please pay close attention to what the Biochemist and the Triple Board Certified M.D. indicates the problem is.... if you desire more information, simply indicate so in the comments section and it will link directly to me. I will then contact you and we can discuss the next step further.
Lead poisoning is an epidemic in children and one of the links to many learning and behavior challenges. I encourage you to take the time to watch the documentary and feel free to share it with anyone you believe it will help... talk to you soon... L. M.
Forget about the finger stick vs. the blood draw --- your 1 1/2 year old will not ALLOW his hair to be trimmed??? Are you listening to what you're saying?? Sorry, but if the kid needs his hair trimmed, it's getting trimmed.
If your 3-year old has a fear of going to the doctor, you have to deal with that. Perhaps having his blood drawn, which is a needle prick and nothing more, it will be a huge illustration that going to the doctor is not bad.
I agree with Peggy S. You can't set this kind of example. If a kid is afraid af something as harmless as a haircut (i know parents struggle with this) or a doctor visit, YOU need to teach them to face their fears and be brave. We all have to deal with unpleasntries in life. The best thing you can do for your kids is teach them to handle them well.
In my practice I test for lead in children by mineral analysis that takes a hair sample. Blood lead testing is not accurate in detecting chronic lead toxicity. This is because within 30 days of exposure, most lead is removed from the blood and stored in body tissues. Hair testing has been shown by the Environmental Protection Agency to be a good method of testing for lead poisoning. The test your pediatrician wants to do is a blood challenge test which is more accurate unless the lead has been stored in the body's tissue.
Since lead may be stored in the body, ratios of minerals will not be in balance and therefore several hair tests may be necessary before elevated lead levels are revealed. Saying that, I usually find the test does reveal lead on the first analysis.
S. Slaughter DC ND
Dr of Chiropractic
Traditional Naturopath
First of all I don't know you have a concern for this lead blood test. If you're pediatrician isn't concerned about it, I wouldn't worry about it. Another thing, if it was a normal procedure, it would be included with medical exam.
As far as the haircut, have you tried a shop that caters to children? They have an animal or car or something child-like for the child to sit on. A TV as well with kids programs on it and videos of many characters that kids like. They enjoy it! The first time may be hard but after that they see how fun it is and you make it fun for them too, they want to go back. If they don't want to go back, you take them anyway and they learn that they will be going regards of what they do. Don't let them have the control, you're the mom and the adult, you take control!
I hope this will help. Good luck!
