Concerns About My Toddler's Blood Test Results
I've been a bit worried lately about my 2-year-old, who has been expressing discomfort in his legs and back for several weeks. He often wakes up at night in tears due to the pain. Additionally, he seems to be extremely tired, which has caught the attention of both his teachers at daycare and us as parents. After conducting some lab tests, we’ve found it challenging to get any feedback from his pediatrician’s office; nobody has reached out to us. I’m left wondering if I should be truly concerned about this situation. The lab results indicate that everything is generally normal, but his hematocrit is slightly elevated at 42%, just 1% above the standard range, and his platelet count is quite high at 636,000. What might be going on with him?
Answers (1)
8/6/2025, 4:50:46 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to be worried about your toddler's discomfort and the recent lab results. Your concerns are valid, especially since a slight elevation in hematocrit and a high platelet count can sometimes indicate underlying issues. However, it’s reassuring that overall results are indicated as generally normal.
Explanation of Lab Results:
-
Elevated Hematocrit (42%): This may suggest that your child's blood is slightly more concentrated than usual, which can happen for various reasons, including dehydration, living at higher altitudes, or, less commonly, certain medical conditions.
-
High Platelet Count (636,000): Elevated platelet counts can occur in reaction to many factors such as infection, inflammation, or even trauma. It's worth noting that in children, this often can be a temporary issue.
Next Steps:
-
Monitor Symptoms: Continue to keep a close eye on your child's symptoms, specifically noting the frequency and severity of leg and back pain as well as any episodes of night waking and fatigue.
-
Hydration: Ensure your child is well-hydrated, as dehydration can contribute to an elevated hematocrit.
-
Follow-Up Notes: Since you haven’t received feedback from the pediatrician, I recommend documenting your child's symptoms and lab results carefully and reaching out again to the office, emphasizing your concerns about persistent pain and fatigue.
-
Pain Management: During this waiting period, provide comfort to your child, such as gentle massages to the affected areas and making sure he has a calming bedtime routine to help minimize disruptions.
-
Discussion with Pediatrician: If symptoms persist or worsen, or if you remain concerned especially about the pain or fatigue levels, consider requesting a more urgent appointment with the pediatrician to discuss further diagnostic options or referrals.
These steps can help address your immediate worries while you await more detailed insights from your healthcare provider. Remember, your observations are important, so don’t hesitate to voice them to his doctor.
Related Questions
Dislocated Shoulder - Day 7 Update
Age: 39, male, generally fit and active. While on a solo expedition, I had a mishap and slipped down an outdoor iron staircase that had become slippery. This unfortunate incident led to my left shoulder being dislocated for the first time and my left ankle fracturing in three places. Upon reaching the emergency room, medical professionals managed to realign my shoulder after approximately three hours post-injury. They advised me to keep my arm immobilized in a sling for one week. Initially, I adhered to this guideline, keeping my arm in the sling for the first two days. However, I soon found it necessary to remove the sling to maneuver with crutches and to type. Living independently on the second floor of an apartment without an elevator posed additional challenges, so I took extra care not to raise the injured arm above shoulder level or position it behind my back, ensuring it remained as close to my side as possible. Upon consulting another physician after returning home, I learned that it would be better to keep the arm in the sling for a total of three weeks without any exceptions. I also reached out to two other doctors for additional insights, and their advice varied to some extent. Overall, the consensus among the professionals seems to suggest: - Maintain the sling on my shoulder for three weeks. - While removing it occasionally to navigate with crutches and to type is not preferred, it should not result in long-term harm. - A follow-up MRI and physical therapy evaluation is scheduled for two weeks from now, at which point the arm may be released from the sling. Throughout the day, I experience mild tenderness in my arm, scoring about 1 or 2 out of 10 on the pain scale. Despite this discomfort, I feel that I am managing well. I am eager to ensure the best possible recovery. However, the practical aspects of daily life make it challenging to remain completely immobile. What actions can I take safely during this healing period? Is it permissible to apply 75% of my weight on my uninjured arm while using crutches? Have I caused any irreversible harm to my shoulder? I welcome any advice or recommendations on how to proceed!
Is High Ketosis a Concern for Non-Diabetics? Understanding Low Blood Sugar in the Context of Ketones
Hello, I am a 38-year-old female weighing 99 pounds with a BMI of 17. For various personal reasons, I've been steering clear of carbohydrates lately, despite understanding the potential health ramifications. This change in diet has coincided with a resurgence of my previous eating disorder symptoms; I have a history of severe anorexia and have experienced a significant weight loss recently. My ketone levels, as measured by a blood monitor, are at a striking 7.3 mmol/L, while my blood sugar consistently hovers under 54 mg/dL. It’s obvious that I am in a state of ketosis. However, considering that I am not diabetic, I wonder if this poses any real risk to my health. Can my elevated ketone levels offset the dangers associated with low blood sugar, especially since it dropped to 36 mg/dL last week? In addition to this, I also have several health concerns, including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, anemia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, a history of severe anorexia, and post-traumatic stress disorder. My current medications include Benepali (etanercept), tramadol, gabapentin, amitriptyline, fluoxetine, an estrogen patch, omeprazole, and propranolol.
Experiencing Fainting Spells After Using Cannabis
Hi everyone, I'm a 20-year-old female, standing at about 5'8" and weighing roughly 160 pounds. A few days ago, while attending a festival, I decided to take two hits from a joint. I was cautious not to overindulge, but shortly after, I started experiencing blurred vision and intense sweating. I instinctively clutched my sister as I felt myself turning pale and ended up fainting for a brief moment. During that time, all I could see was white, though I remained aware of my surroundings through other senses. Given the large crowd, my sisters quickly assisted me in navigating through it, and once I caught a breath of fresh air, my vision returned. I felt lightheaded but recovered within a few minutes.
Understanding Persistent Rib Pain Despite Negative Imaging Results
A woman in her late 40s is facing a perplexing issue with lingering discomfort in her ribs. Here's a summary of her situation: Two months ago, she experienced a tight embrace from a friend, which she believes initiated her pain. That night, she woke up with significant discomfort while shifting in her sleep, prompting her to visit urgent care the following day. During that visit, X-rays were taken, revealing what the urgent care doctor initially thought were about seven broken ribs. She was prescribed a combination of over-the-counter pain medications and scheduled for a Dexa scan the next day, which showed a bone density reading of -2.1. However, a few days later, a formal review by a radiologist contradicted the urgent care findings, indicating no signs of fractures on the X-rays. Consequently, her primary care physician (PCP) concluded that she was fine and advised against further investigation into osteopenia given her bone density results. Still concerned, she insisted on having a CT scan, which was conducted three weeks after the initial injury. Yesterday, she received the results, revealing again that neither the PCP nor the radiologist had found any fractures, lesions, or other abnormalities that could account for her ongoing pain. Her primary concern now is understanding the persistent pain she feels in three specific areas of her left rib cage: the lower front, the upper back near her spine, and the lower left side toward the back. While she began tapering off the acetaminophen and ibuprofen that she had been taking since week three, she still occasionally uses a lidocaine patch on the upper back area. She describes the pain in that spot as sharp, in contrast to the other regions where the sensation is more of a dull pulling. Although it's evident that she is improving, she does not feel completely healed. Given that her imaging tests have shown no clear issues, she is left wondering why the pain persists.
Seeking Advice on Psoriasis and New Symptoms
Hello everyone, I’m a 26-year-old male who received a diagnosis of psoriasis at the age of 18, back in 2016. Fortunately, my condition has remained relatively mild over the years; however, I’ve noticed a slight increase in severity recently. Recently, I've encountered some concerning new symptoms. I've started to develop burning and itchy patches in sensitive areas such as my armpits and groin. I've attempted to use antifungal cream, thinking it might be a fungal issue, but it hasn’t produced any noticeable improvement. Additionally, I've observed that the skin on the glans (the tip of my penis) feels unusually tight and dry, leading to a certain level of discomfort—not pain, but definitely bothersome. Could these issues indicate that my skin barrier is compromised, or might there be something beyond psoriasis at play? I’m concerned it may relate to inflammation or heightened sensitivity. I’d appreciate any insights or advice from those who might have experienced similar symptoms. Thank you!