Katherine's blood work results came back - not such great news.

kit_kats_mom wrote: I'm going to assume that my Dr is just being extra careful so I am trying not to freak out until I know something for sure. Anyway, she had run all sorts of tests on Katherine's blood & urine to check for anything that may be causing her slow weight gain. She's 13 months old now and weighs 17 lbs 3 oz which is at the very bottom of the chart. The ped said that the lab tech who drew the blood reccomended a triglyceride test because she could see the fat in the blood when the took it. So Katherine has a high triglyceride count, meaning high colestoral. The ped was asking me if we have high cholestoral in our family and started asking questions that were beginning to frighten me. "Has anyone in your or dh's family had premature heart disease?" etc. Freaked me out.

Well, she said that the test is normally run after a fast and Katheirne had nursed prior to the draw so that may account for the elevated levels but she has referred us to an endricrineologist to rule out anything wierd. I have to wait a week to call & schedule the appt with the specialist. I just want someone to tell me either "nothing is wrong with her and she is just really petite" or "she has xyz condition and this is how we will treat it" I hate not knowing anything and worrying over nothing. It's so hard not to worry though...she is my world.

She is also working with some of the local lactation consultants to contact national specialists to see if there is a way to get a chemical breakdown and calorie count of my breastmilk. Apparently this is harder than it sounds since the milk changes over the course of the day (and month If I had to guess) according to the baby's needs. I would think that if I pumped a little bit each time K nursed then we could send that in for a "daily" average sample. Whatever....she is really trying hard and concerned about K so I'm not gonna knock it. Many peds would have already told me to wean her and feed her weight gain suppliment a few months ago so I 'm glad she has been supportive so far.

Just thought I'd vent.

Maddie&EthansMom replied: You are very fortunate to have such a great pediatrician. It sounds like she is really on top of things. I just wanted to offer some (((HUGS))) and let you know I am praying for you and Kat. It must be so hard to have to wait all this time for an appt after getting such limited info. Try not to worry about her...she will be fine. It sounds as though it is something that can be easily corrected in a non invasive way.

~CrazieMama~ replied: I am so sorry to hear this. I will keep you in my prayers. Just think positive and all will work out in the end. Big hugs to you and Katherine.

angelhair replied: I understand, it is hard to wait. my son had a slow wieght gain and was at ten percent of the chart and I was so worried. turned out he was just small but it is nerveraking because you mind wnaders a lot. my son also has a hemangemia and had to have shots at childrens and now he is fine. he also had to see a nuerologist for shaking episodes and he has a begien tremor which is not dangerous and hereditary, but while we were waiting for the results of some testing, it was hard because I did not have the ansers and did not know what I was dealing with. so I understand. my son is now21 months. we are here in case you ever need to vent or need support

MommyToAshley replied: <<HUGS>>

It is great that your Ped is looking into all the posibilities even as a precaution. But, I don't think Docs realize how these questions and "possible" causes worry us Moms!

However, it sounds like the nursing may have thrown off the triglyceride test. I would say try not to worry, but I know you will anyways. I will keep you and Kat in my thoughts and prayers. Please keep us informed!

~~~~Prayers and Positive thoughts!~~~~

Kirstenmumof3 replied: I'm so sorry you are going through this. Try not to worry. I don't know anything about cholesteral testing, I didn't even think they could test a baby for cholesteral. Wait and see what the specialist says and go from there. I wouldn't worry unless I had too. I hope you are able to get some answers with your breastmilk.

Claudia is a very small baby as well, she always has been. She is 13mths and only weighs 18lbs. She has always been in the 15th percentile. Our Public Health Nurse referred us to a dietition to see what we could do to add more calories to her diet. The dietition suggested we give her higher fat foods, yogurt, cheese, peanut butter, beans and eggs. Maybe you could try this as well.

CantWait replied: Sounds like your ped is going all out. I'm sorry you guys are going through this. Hope everything turns out alright. Keep us updated, hugs in the meantime

Mommieto2Girls replied: I'm so happy to hear that your doc is actually doing her job and cares enough to worry instead of just blowing it off. You and Kat will be in my thoughts and prayers. Please keep us posted on how everything goes. I just can't imagine what your going through.
I thought she was a pretty good weight, Maddie at 12 months was 18lbs and my doc didn't seem to worry. All though I am worried about her height. I just weighed her a week ago and she is 20lbs now. She just went though a big weight gain.
Take care and try not to worry, at least to much.<<<hugs>>>

amynicole21 replied: Ugh. I wish they had better news for you that would have put your mind at ease! I am glad that your ped is being thorough, though. I'm sure that everything is going to work out fine

jdkjd replied: Goodness gracious! If it's not one thing, it's another. Hopefully, they're just trying to cover all of their bases, which means they're just very thorough.

I'll keep my fingers crossed that her blood is fine and your breastmilk is fine too. Try not to worry until there is something to worry about. I know that's probably impossible, but she's such a happy, smart girl that I can't imagine anything's wrong.

Big HUGS!!

ediep replied: oh my....I think that it is good that your doc is so cautious. I am sure that ou have nothing to worry about. I hope and pray that your milk and K are perfect!!

Good luck

jcc64 replied: Lipid blood profiles are meant to be fasting tests. I took a cholesterol test a few days before I had Corey and didn't fast b/c I was pg. My cholesterol came back at 400!!!!!!!!!!! The year before, it was 178. My ob later told me I couldn't raise it that high if I ate a stick of butter every day. It was a bad test, obviously. I'm certain that's what happened with Katherine. My little Corey is 13.5 months, and I'd be surprised if she was 18lbs. She's tiny. She just doesn't seems all that interested in food. My dr told me to leave it alone. Your dr seems a little more thorough or cautious, but keep in mind that a lot of drs practice CYA medicine (cover your ass), and it doesn't mean there's anything wrong with Katherine. It's an unfortunate commentary about our litigious culture that drs have to be so paranoid about being sued. In the meantime, try to remind yourself that somebody has to be at the bottom of the chart, but it doesn't have to indicate anything insideous, she may just be small. And after all these tests, at least you can definitively put the issue to rest.
Good luck,
Jeanne

jem0622 replied: I totally agree with Jeanne. My DH forgot to fast for his cholesterol tests and it came back high. We flipped out and changed our diet. Then he went in for a physical and did fast prior to it and his results were LOW. Go figure.

Lots of calming vibes for everyone

Julie

Kaitlin'smom replied: I hate when we have to worry for no real reason. Kaitlin is also on the small side she just now weights 16lbs and is 9 1/2 months old 10 percentile. I tell you she eats alot to. Kepp us updated, and I know its hard not to but try not to worry.

DansMom replied: I'm glad you gave us an update---I just wish you had some answers. I hope everything turns out to be okay. I have a feeling, like other people are saying, that Katherine is just small. She looks so happy, active and healthy in her pictures. It is good that the doctors are being thorough, though.

coasterqueen replied: UGH! I hate it when you have to wait like this!! I'm sure she is just petite and if that runs in the family, it is definately normal ((HUGS)) to you and let us know what you find out.

kit_kats_mom replied:
Thanks everyone for your hugs, reassurances, prayers and responses. I've put it out of my head for the time being. Like some of you said, no reason to worry myself unduly.
If petiteness ran in our family it would probably be a non-issue. Thing is that I'm 5'10" & Dh is 6'3. we are both large framed and "meaty". I've made the appointment with the endricrineologist for the 22nd so hopefully we won't have to wait too long to put this issue to rest.
Thanks again ladies.

MomofTay&Sam replied: I am so sorry I am late to this. I know the fasting thing is a big issue when blood work is done. Sounds like you have a great set of docs working with you guys. I am sending my prayers and well wishes to you guys...

MomToJade&Jordan replied: I tried to reply to your message earlier, but Jade was very disgruntled and kept pushing the keyboard back under the desk. I know that this is something that you really worry about and I'm glad that the docs are doing everything they can think of to make sure everything it all right. It sounds like to me that K's feeding probably caused the cholesterol test to come out higher then it should. I didn't even think that babbies could have this. Katherine seems to be a happy and healthy little girl. I hope everything turns out all right.