ADHD and iron levels

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's not related to the ADHD/iron issue, but I do want to comment on the blood level versus supplements comment. My LO was suffering from breath-holding spells, which while supposedly harmless, was scary for our LO because of a heart issue that makes LO prone to cardiac arrest. So a breath-holding event was terrifying. Anyhow, I did tons of research and while not one doctor suggested it to me, it seemed that there was an iron association, and that for kids with these events, iron supplements decreased or stopped all spells in 90% of cases, with an insanely large and significant odds ratio of over 70 (if you know stats, you know how big that is). While the effect was most pronounced in kids with low blood iron levels, the benefit was seen even in kids with normal blood iron levels.

LO's iron levels came back normal, but we added in iron supplements anyway and she hasn't had one since... Therapeutic iron under a doctor's management IS safe and does not approach poisonous levels as long as it's well controlled. I think we did something like 3-5mg/kg of body weight or something like that. Anyhow, the main point here is that when you don't understand the physiological mechanism, it's hard to know why something does or does not work. Keep in mind that a "normal" blood level for a child without ADHD may be different than what should be the "normal" level for one with ADHD. Normative data are population-based and not always on the greatest data. Some sub-groups may have different needs for certain minerals and supplements, perhaps based on deficiencies in how their bodies process them.

In the case of iron, you could always try a supplement under a doctor's watch and see if you note any improvement in 3-4 months. The only real risks are GI-related issues (countered by miralax as needed).

PP, interesting and good point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's not related to the ADHD/iron issue, but I do want to comment on the blood level versus supplements comment. My LO was suffering from breath-holding spells, which while supposedly harmless, was scary for our LO because of a heart issue that makes LO prone to cardiac arrest. So a breath-holding event was terrifying. Anyhow, I did tons of research and while not one doctor suggested it to me, it seemed that there was an iron association, and that for kids with these events, iron supplements decreased or stopped all spells in 90% of cases, with an insanely large and significant odds ratio of over 70 (if you know stats, you know how big that is). While the effect was most pronounced in kids with low blood iron levels, the benefit was seen even in kids with normal blood iron levels.

LO's iron levels came back normal, but we added in iron supplements anyway and she hasn't had one since... Therapeutic iron under a doctor's management IS safe and does not approach poisonous levels as long as it's well controlled. I think we did something like 3-5mg/kg of body weight or something like that. Anyhow, the main point here is that when you don't understand the physiological mechanism, it's hard to know why something does or does not work. Keep in mind that a "normal" blood level for a child without ADHD may be different than what should be the "normal" level for one with ADHD. Normative data are population-based and not always on the greatest data. Some sub-groups may have different needs for certain minerals and supplements, perhaps based on deficiencies in how their bodies process them.

In the case of iron, you could always try a supplement under a doctor's watch and see if you note any improvement in 3-4 months. The only real risks are GI-related issues (countered by miralax as needed).

PP, interesting and good point.

OP here, and yes, there was a similar point in case studies, i.e., even with blood iron levels within normal range, iron supplementation made a difference.

[Anonymous]

My ADHD kid was low in iron. Pediatrician recommended Vitron C. We went in for regular iron checks as her stores were replenished. Once they reached the right level, the supplements were stopped.

It's hard getting truly iron-rich foods into some kids. It helps to cook on a cast iron skillet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My ADHD kid was low in iron. Pediatrician recommended Vitron C. We went in for regular iron checks as her stores were replenished. Once they reached the right level, the supplements were stopped.

It's hard getting truly iron-rich foods into some kids. It helps to cook on a cast iron skillet.

How did you learn this? Did you ask for a blood test or does your pediatrician do them routinely?

[Anonymous]

My dd has ADHD and is 8. She recently told me she was a vegetarian. I told her she wasn't a vegetarian, she was a very picky eater who eats about 10 different foods. I am going to ask the ped to check her iron level. I do sneak it in with some powder I add to her milk that she likes. Don't laugh, but I add toddler formula to her milk to help give her some extra iron and vitamins.

[Anonymous]

This is a good article to read along with looking at the French diet

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/suffer-the-children/201203/why-french-kids-dont-have-adhd

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My dd has ADHD and is 8. She recently told me she was a vegetarian. I told her she wasn't a vegetarian, she was a very picky eater who eats about 10 different foods. I am going to ask the ped to check her iron level. I do sneak it in with some powder I add to her milk that she likes. Don't laugh, but I add toddler formula to her milk to help give her some extra iron and vitamins.

I don't laugh at all. We give our son an Ensure now recommended by his pediatrician.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:...all that I know about iron is that it can affect a person cognitively if the levels are too low.

Too much iron is seriously toxic and is a cause of accidental poisoning (e.g. Children getting into vitamins containing iron).

Take your child to a pediatrician for a blood test if you suspect low iron- then follow your doctor's instructions.

A vegetarian diet that isn't well balanced could cause low iron levels. If it's an ongoing issue, you could provide a children s multivitamin with iron.

I wasn't planning to self-supplement beyond daily recommended dose without diagnosis of low-iron and instructions from a doctor. I was simply asking if anyone had seen a difference with supplementation. Your response is patronizing.

NP and I didn't get that at all. PP was just trying to help.

[Anonymous]

When my cat was a kitten she would get extremely hyper. I used to think it was behavioral -- that if we disciplined her that she would stop. I soon realized that it wasn't. I had read years ago about the studies on iron deficiency and ADHD and realized that she probably needed a nice healthy serving of meat. The dried food wasn't doing it for her. I think her attacking us, furniture, etc., was her instinct going into high gear to "hunt" for meat.

So, whenever she would act up like that, I would feed her left over protein such as chicken or canned cat food and voila, she would become very sweet, relaxed, and charming. Just to say, I do think that there is a correlation between iron and ADHD. I also wonder if its just iron deficiency or if its a deficiency in iron, protein and fats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:...all that I know about iron is that it can affect a person cognitively if the levels are too low.

Too much iron is seriously toxic and is a cause of accidental poisoning (e.g. Children getting into vitamins containing iron).

Take your child to a pediatrician for a blood test if you suspect low iron- then follow your doctor's instructions.

A vegetarian diet that isn't well balanced could cause low iron levels. If it's an ongoing issue, you could provide a children s multivitamin with iron.

I wasn't planning to self-supplement beyond daily recommended dose without diagnosis of low-iron and instructions from a doctor. I was simply asking if anyone had seen a difference with supplementation. Your response is patronizing.

NP and I didn't get that at all. PP was just trying to help.

Agree. There are too many parents who just ply their kids with whatever they "hear" is helpful.

[Anonymous]

Our doc just recommended the Grain Brain diet, which is essentially high-fat, low carbs/sugar, to help curb ADHD. I guess if you're consuming more meats for the fat, you're getting more iron.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:...all that I know about iron is that it can affect a person cognitively if the levels are too low.

Too much iron is seriously toxic and is a cause of accidental poisoning (e.g. Children getting into vitamins containing iron).

Take your child to a pediatrician for a blood test if you suspect low iron- then follow your doctor's instructions.

A vegetarian diet that isn't well balanced could cause low iron levels. If it's an ongoing issue, you could provide a children s multivitamin with iron.

I wasn't planning to self-supplement beyond daily recommended dose without diagnosis of low-iron and instructions from a doctor. I was simply asking if anyone had seen a difference with supplementation. Your response is patronizing.

NP and I didn't get that at all. PP was just trying to help.

Agree. There are too many parents who just ply their kids with whatever they "hear" is helpful.

I'm the PP who lectured- iron is a special case where too much can be extremely poisonous. Children are particularly vulnerable because of their developing bodies and brains. I know most people have common sense, but iron is routinely added to children's vitamins so it's possible that informed, intelligent people may not realize the dangers. I didn't mean to cause offense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My ADHD kid was low in iron. Pediatrician recommended Vitron C. We went in for regular iron checks as her stores were replenished. Once they reached the right level, the supplements were stopped.

It's hard getting truly iron-rich foods into some kids. It helps to cook on a cast iron skillet.

How did you learn this? Did you ask for a blood test or does your pediatrician do them routinely?

Regular blood tests. Low iron found in ADHD meds blood work up. Also check regularly for liver issues.