Seeking Guidance for My Daughter's Health Issues
I'm reaching out for assistance regarding my daughter's health. At just 13 years old, she appears extremely pale and has been experiencing episodes of vomiting. Although she doesn’t seem to have a traditional illness, she has been suffering from night sweats and episodes of dizziness. The doctors suggested it could be functional vomiting, but we’re unclear on the underlying cause. Just yesterday, blood tests were performed, but we haven't received any updates yet. Additionally, she has been complaining of stomach pain. My daughter stands at 5'1" and weighs 117 lbs, and these symptoms have been progressively worsening since November. The fatigue is overwhelming for both of us, especially when I’m frequently waking up during her vomiting episodes or needing to pick her up from school. Here are her recent lab results: - **Ferritin**: 7 (normal range: 15-200) 🚩 - **Mean Platelet Volume**: 9 (normal range: 9.3 - 12.8 tL) 🚩 - **Mean Cell Hemoglobin Concentration**: 30.9 (normal range: 32.0 - 37.0 gm/dL) 🚩 - **Hemoglobin**: 11.1 (normal range: 12.0 - 16.0 gm/dL) 🚩 - **Absolute Lymphocytes**: 1.57 (normal range: 1.70 - 4.50 x10³/mcL) 🚩 - **Eosinophils**: 9.4% 🚩 - **Monocytes**: 12.0% 🚩 - **Basophils**: 0.9% 🚩 - **White Blood Cells**: 4.5 (normal range: 3.4 - 10.2 x10³/mcL) - **Red Blood Cells**: 4.3 (normal range: 3.80 - 5.50 x10⁶/mcL) - **Absolute Monocytes**: 0.54 (normal range: 0.20 - 1.00 x10³/mcL) - **Absolute Eosinophils**: 0.42 (normal range: 0.03 - 0.51 x10³/mcL) - **Neutrophils**: 42.7% - **Absolute Neutrophils**: 1.92 (normal range: 1.80 - 7.70 x10³/mcL) - **Lymphs**: 35.0% - **Hematocrit**: 36 (normal range: 35 - 49%) - **Auto Neutrophil Absolute**: 1.92 (normal range: 1.80 - 7.70 x10³/mcL) - **Mean Cell Hemoglobin**: 25.8 (normal range: 25.0 - 35.0 pg) - **RDW SD**: 38.8 (normal range: 37.4 - 52.4 fL) - **RDW CV**: 12.9 (normal range: 11.1 - 14.3%) - **Platelet**: Normal range: 150 - 400 x10³/mcL
Answers (1)
2/11/2026, 8:31:16 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like your daughter is experiencing some concerning health issues, including pallor, vomiting, night sweats, dizziness, and stomach pain. Given the lab results you've shared, particularly her low ferritin and hemoglobin levels, it's understandable why you are worried.
Key Points:
- Low Ferritin and Hemoglobin: These results indicate potential iron deficiency anemia, which can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, and pallor.
- Functional Vomiting: The doctors' suggestion of functional vomiting implies that there may not be a clear pathological cause directly linked to the vomiting episodes.
- Symptoms: The combination of night sweats, dizziness, and stomach pain could relate to several underlying issues, including gastrointestinal problems or infections.
Next Steps:
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Focus on Nutrition:
- Ensure your daughter is eating iron-rich foods like lean meats, spinach, lentils, and fortified cereals. Pairing these with vitamin C (like oranges or bell peppers) can enhance iron absorption.
- Encourage her to stay hydrated, especially if she continues to experience vomiting.
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Monitor Symptoms:
- Keep a symptom diary, noting each episode of vomiting, any triggers, and how she feels overall. This can help the doctor identify patterns.
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Watch for Warning Signs:
- If she experiences severe dizziness, fainting, persistent fever, or worsening abdominal pain, seek medical attention promptly.
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Follow-Up on Lab Results:
- As you await the lab results, it's essential to discuss with her healthcare provider any additional tests that may be needed (for example, gastrointestinal evaluations) to understand the cause of her vomiting and other symptoms further.
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Consider Dietary Supplements:
- Speak to her healthcare provider about whether iron supplements are advisable given her low ferritin and hemoglobin levels.
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Emotional Support:
- This situation can be emotionally taxing for both you and your daughter. Ensure you're both able to express concerns and feelings about her health to each other, and consider reaching out to support groups or counseling if necessary.
Your daughter's well-being is the priority, so keep advocating for her and ensure you have ongoing communication with her healthcare team for appropriate management of her symptoms. If you have more updates or questions, feel free to share.
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