I have read in magazines that they advise to check for lead levels in your child at 1 year old. My pediatrician said that insurance will not cover it since it is not recommeded by the AAP. Does anyone have any advice or info on having this done? I have also heard there is a pin-prick test and a full blood draw version.
Update / Additional information
The information on the web confirms what my Pediatrician said...basically if you live in a high risk area (ie areas with homes built before 1950) or are high risk due to economic status screening is performed. So I guess since we live in a new home and are not low income the government (CDC) does not think we should be screened. That makes me so mad because this is the same government that does not provide enough funding for proper screening of our toys. The Dr. said that normally it is not noticed until a child displays symptoms which is when they have trouble with complex lessons in school. By then it is too late.
I think I am going to push for testing even if I have to pay for it.
I would still like to hear if anyone in AZ has had the screening.
Thanks in advance!
Last summer we weren't sure if some of our toys were on the list for toys with lead paint. So, we took our kids 3 and 6mo to the doctor and she tested for lead and insurance covered it with no issues. Perhaps that is a risk factor that you hadn't thought of.
Actually, if you plan to buy or rent any home that was build prior to 1978 you should be aware of leaded paint. If you feel that your pipes or paint or water have lead, then test. You can always check with the epa re: lead levels in your water for your area.
I live in AZ and my daughter was tested when she was 1... but that was 11 years ago! As far as I know, most docs will not test routinely unless you have a reason to.
Good luck!
Hi S., my son's Dr. (IN AZ) ordered this test along with iron levels. He was chewing on my hair and she wanted to make sure it wasn't a sign of any problems. I took him to get them done. after 2 sticks they could not get blood and he was hysterical. He quit eating the hair and I did not get it tested. I do believe insurance would have paid for it. She did not inform me otherwise- Maybe it depends on how it is ordered. Since my son had an issue they were testing it for. Both of my nephews were tested for it, one has autism and his brother was tested although no symptoms of it. I think you should actually check with your insurance unless your Dr. knows specifically that you carrier does not cover. All plans are different, even with the same carrier. Good Luck
Hi S.,
My 1 year old just had the testing done and everything came back negative. We had the testing because my hubby works in the construction field, where he is exposed to lead frequently. We wanted to make sure that he wasn't bringing lead contaminant home. I was under the assumption that if we were at risk in some way (my ped had a risk checklist) our insurance would cover the testing. I just got our EOB for the bloodwork back and my insurance covered everything.
If you could demonstrate your risk level, perhaps the insurance would cover it. It isn't just about living in an old house, I'm sure a google search could point out other risk factors.
Good luck!
S.,
Both of my girls were tested (age 5 and 2), it is a common test in my Dr's office and my insurance paid for both. Both tested negative. Even though we live in a newer house, you can never tell about other places you have been or that your childen hasn't put something in their mouth with lead. At 1 they just did a finger prick.
Hi S.,
I had my son and myself tested for "heavy metals" (including lead). My son actually had high levels and we have no idea where he got it from. If I remember correctly, it's less than $100 for the test. We did a "urine" test through "Doctor's Data, Inc.) My Naturopath gave us a home kit and special packaging to have it shipped via FedEx.
Feel free to call me with any questions at ###-###-#### (my office).
Warm Regards,
G. Van Luven
My son was tested at 12 monthes and our insurance payed for it. I like you felt that with the toys today that it was important to have him tested. Go with your gut and fight for it.
S.,
I have four kids. 11, 10, 6 and 4. My insurance paid for them to get tested. My six year old, at the time of the test, came back positive. It was because we lived in an older home. Since we moved, the levels went back down. The doctor said it does not matter where you live, you can still get lead poisioning from any where.
I would push the fact. Since you work, that should be cause enough to get tested. Even if the insurance does not pay for it, ask the doctor how much it would cost to get it done. Maybe you can make a payment arrangement with them.
Not knowing, and if you have to take your child to the emergency room for any reason, and they find lead poisioning in his blood, it will come back on you. Take the test, and this way you are also covered. You won't have to worry about it anymore.
When my children (3 and 5 years old) each turned 1 years old our family physician here in AZ had the kids checked. He said it was a standard thing, and that he was required legally to have the kids checked. They both were and are negative. The insurance company paid for the tests. Unless things have changed in the last couple of years I have never heard of what you are reporting. We would not be considered high risk at all. Very interesting.....
Do you live within a mile of a major highway or freeway? This could be a contributing factor to lead in the system, as well as the others you mentioned. If it makes you feel better you should get the test, and your doctor should respect and support you enough to provide it, no matter what their personal opinion is, but it is unlikely unless you are in certain situations that your child has been overexposed to lead. If you are still concerned you can modify your diet to include more cilantro. My oldest son graduated last year from the UA with a degree in physiology and plant science - he did a paper on cilantro as one of his projects and learned that eating cilantro leeches lead (and other heavy metals like mercury) OUT of the body.
You sound like me 14 years ago with my first son! If you feel a need, by all means do the test. I did. I feel information is best. My other kids lived in newer homes and didn't go to daycare or schools where it might have been a problem. Lead isn't the only thing to watch for, nor is the mercury scare. Watch for hidden aluminum.
There are natural things you can do should your son (or you) have heavy metals in his system, even years from now. One source of information is the site for Earthrise spirulina, they did wonders for some chernobyl kids.
Hi S.,
I have 2 children - 18 and 3 and have never been told this. It does sound like a smart thing to do, it is too bad that insurance companies won't pay for it!
Have you done any checking on the internet about it?
