Dr. Ana-Maria Temple recommends parents of kids with ADHD get a complete blood count and iron panel through LabQuest or LabCorp, covered by insurance. Iron deficiency affects brain development, concentration, impulse control, and sleep. A venous blood draw is more accurate than a finger prick.
Holistic pediatrician tip of the day. The one lab you should ask for if your child is dealing with ADHD. You wanna ask your pediatrician for a CBC. If they could also add an iron panel and a ferritin level, bonus, but if they'll only do a CBC, great. I prefer a venous stick versus a finger poke. It's more accurate. You can get it done through LabQuest or LabCorp, and it's covered by insurance. Iron is crucial for brain development. Without enough iron, the brain can't focus, have enough concentration, or reduce impulsivity. When reviewing the CBC, make sure that the hemoglobin is at least in the middle, if not to the higher end of normal. Iron is also crucial for a good night's sleep, and we know that children who don't get enough sleep or good enough sleep at night have attention and focus issues the next day. Thank you, Ana-Maria Temple.
