Blood Work

The annual blood work for children with DS seems to have quite the disconnect..the recommended blood work is a CBC and thyroid check annually although I actually had the DS clinic tell me that they wouldn't check Parker's CBC again until adolescence unless there was an issue(CBC is checked for leukemia). These people are the experts? Hmm.. Here is what I have learned is REALLY required. Chime in if I am missing something..

CBC with Differential
Tissue Transglutaminase Antibody
Ferritin, Serum
Homocysteine, plasma
Iron, serum
Selenium, serum
Thyroxine (T4) free
Thyroid peroxidase antibodyinc
Thyroid antithyroglobilin antibody
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), high sensitivity
Tri-Iodothyronine (T3)
Vitamin A, serum (protect from light)
Zinc, serum (zinc free tube and needle)
Vitamin D

I took Parker yesterday to have this blood work done. He's had CBC and thyroid twice this year, but last time in July I noticed TSH was rising(Dr said it was fine), so I added those back on the list. We already have an appointment in January to see the pedi endo regarding the thyroid, but you know me, can't leave well enough alone. I want to see where that thyroid is now. Make a note, this isn't for the faint of heart....this list is 9, yes, NINE, vials of blood. It took three different sticks to collect the blood and more than an hour. Parker cried at the initial sticks, but after that he chatted and made "sweet eyes" at the phlebotomist. Boy knows how to work the ladies already! She was ready to keep him and take him home with her. Another note to self, ALWAYS go to a lab that deals with kids on a regular basis. We've done blood work at labs close to home to save me driving...there is a clear difference using someone that has pedi experience. Even though it took a long time, it went MUCH smoother than the adult clinics and we took MUCH more blood than I've ever had drawn!