How often for kids' bloodwork?

~LisaD~

Ryan hasn't had his done since he was 1.  He just went for allergy testing and got a CBC and cholesterol panel as well.  We found out he is a little anemic and we're treating it now.

Do most people take their kids every year for bloodwork?  I feel like we maybe should have found out about this earlier.  It was a total nightmare getting it done, but my peds have never recommended it before . . . just curious whether people generally get this done yearly for their kids or not. 

ETA - at 1 year old, I would assume most kids' iron levels are OK especially if they are FF because the formula is iron-fortified . . . so this wouldn't have been an issue until later. 

Liz051405

We did it at 1 year (or was is 18 months) and at 3 years for M.

kellyann1972

My kids havent had it done since they were 3 I think

knittygrl

We've never done it!  Same ped hmmmm

~LisaD~

knittygrl:

We've never done it!  Same ped hmmmm

You know what, on top of wondering about this, I do have some issues with them . . . . nothing bad enough to switch practices but I get annoyed occasionally . . . I actually think Dr. N. has multiple personalities.  My BIL and SIL have gone there for 14 years and they agree with me!  He can be the kindest, nicest guy one time and a complete a-hole the next.  Bizarre!

I like everyone else a LOT, but somehow I get him a disproportionate amount of time.   

knittygrl

I used to work there in hs you are so right about him.  I always seem to get dr z

Pixiestx

Teagan only had it done around 13-14 months and again at 18 months to recheck since her levels were low the first time.

lgndangel

We had one done at 1 and 2 yr.  I think we will also have one at 3 year.

Not sure if this is the norm but when we found out that the lab lost our 1 yr blood work my ped said that it was okay b/c they do a 2 yr  blood work also.

funkyfrog

At her 1 year checkup she got it done

debfife

Mine does it inbetween 1-2, 3, at 4 they did urine because they said they check other things that can only be checked in urine. But we've also had it done during every hospital visit (4).

AmyRob04

I only remember it being done at 1. He may have had some done before his surgery last January, at 5, but that was not routine if it did happen. 

GilliMax

Nope. Not since he was a year old.

Kristen81603

one and 2 years we have had it done- Kieran hasn't had it since he was 2- 

dmendel

Only had blood work done at 1.

sister-friend-wife-mother

My ped did it at 1 and 2 (sames tests Standard CBC and Lead test).  At 3 with Alexandra when we didnt do blood she there are no tests until she was older (I forget but it was like 8-10) I requested just to do the CBC yearly, so we do. 

BeachBaby07

I have never done blood work on either of my kids, we live in a house that was built in 90's so lead was never an issue

50ftqueenie

kellyann1972:

My kids havent had it done since they were 3 I think

Same here. Or possibly since she was 2. The only bloodwork other than that was at her 5 year appt when they tested her Vit D since the ped said pretty much every kid she tested lately was slightly deficient. Mia was so now we supplement but that's been the extent of it.

Chatty76

Our Ped did it at 1, 2, and 3 yr check ups.  RJ's has Thalasemia (type of amemia) and low iron (found at 2yr appts) so he does get checked yearly.  Not sure if was checked at 3 cause of the anemia or iron or if it's common practice for them.  I know year 1 and 2 is standard for their office though.  Andrew is scheduled for bloodwork at the end of the month.

wannabemomma

I am not usually a person to "push" for things, but I would encourage everyone to have their child's CBC checked yearly.  It is not just lead and anemia, but tons of other things that they can check for...I won't go into details, but my children were both born with issues which led to me finding out that I have had a bone marrow issue for almost 15 years now undiagnosed (my docotors never checked me and I never knew to ask). Now they are both susceptible. My son also has anemia that is not "fixable" with iron supplementation. My BFF son was diagnosed with Leukemia several years ago and she had to plead with her ped for blood to be taken, because she knew something wasn't right with him.  It is horrible to see your child upset for those few minutes when the sample it taken, but well worth it to make sure nothing is wrong. 

Sandy&Lui

His doctor send him for one every annual check up. He's went twice.