Iron questions-hemocrit and more...

[Guest guest]

I just got back from the pediatrican this morning. My 4 yr. old

son's hemocrit is on the low side per the doc. It is 9.6 and he

said for his age is should be 10-10.6

Is the hemocrit an accurate measurement to go by?

My son doesn't really get iron from his limited diet, and his multi

vit/min is iron-free.

I am wondering if this is why he has been mouthing/chewing things

again the past few months. I thought is may have been a zinc issue,

but I played around with the dosages and forms of zinc, and no

difference came out of that.

Also, I read that too much zinc can deplete iron.

I am so confused, it seems like the more I read and research, the

less I know.

Do you think I should give my son an iron supplement?

P.S. I also read that when you are sick the body hides iron. And

on Thursday he did come down with a stomach virus (throwing up and

wiped out).

Thanks for any input,

[Guest guest]

What were his ferritin, TIBC, and %sat? Did they check those?

S

>

I just got back from the pediatrican this morning.  My 4 yr. old <BR>

son's hemocrit is on the low side per the doc.  It is 9.6 and he <BR>

said for his age is should be 10-10.6<BR>

<BR>

Is the hemocrit an accurate measurement to go by?<BR>

<BR>

My son doesn't really get iron from his limited diet, and his multi <BR>

vit/min is iron-free.<BR>

<BR>

I am wondering if this is why he has been mouthing/chewing things <BR>

again the past few months.  I thought is may have been a zinc issue, <BR>

but I played around with the dosages and forms of zinc, and no <BR>

difference came out of that.  <BR>

<BR>

Also, I read that too much zinc can deplete iron.<BR>

<BR>

I am so confused, it seems like the more I read and research, the <BR>

less I know.<BR>

<BR>

Do you think I should give my son an iron supplement?<BR>

<BR>

P.S.  I also read that when you are sick the body hides iron.  And <BR>

on Thursday he did come down with a stomach virus (throwing up and <BR>

wiped out).<BR>

<BR>

Thanks for any input,<BR>

<BR>

      <BR>

<BR>

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<br><br>

<tt>

=======================================================<BR>

[Guest guest]

> I am wondering if this is why he has been mouthing/chewing things

> again the past few months. I thought is may have been a zinc issue,

> but I played around with the dosages and forms of zinc, and no

> difference came out of that.

My #3 would mouth and chew on things when he was eating a food or

supplement he did not tolerate, or when he had a yeast issue.

Dana