my 91/2 year old son blood work

[nukes]

I took my son in for blood work. He has been on Ritalen for a year, and never had blood.  His grandmother noticed a yellow ting to his color.  So I called the doctor and he ordered blood work.  his ALT/GPT is 25 normals is 30-65, alkaline phosphatase is 273 normal is 50-136, his total protien is 6.2 normal is 6.4-8.2.  his RBC 4.4 normal is 4.7-6.1.  His hemoglobin is 11.9 normal is 14.0-18.0.  his hematocrit is 36 normal is 42-52 and his MPV is 12.6 normial is 7.4-10.4.  He is complaining of headach every day. His eye sight is normal. Is there a reason to be alarmed about his blood work.

sighned concerned mom.

[kidcare]

That is the first I have heard of doing blood work for Ritalin.  My son has been on Ritalin, Concerta, etc. and he is also on depakote...this is why we have our blood work done.  I would definitely talk to a doctor or another medical professional to find out what these levels mean.  Your son may need these levels addressed with meds/supplements and not the Ritalin for ADHD or ADD.  A nutritionist may be able to give you some help.  It's worth a try if some vitamin or supplement can help your son instead of a stimulant.  Good luck!!

[anairhoads]

<p>
I think the main problem is the Ritalin itself.
<p>
Ritalin is a very addictive drug - Schedule II stimulate, structurally and pharmacologically similar to amphetamines and cocaine and has the same dependency profile of cocaine and other stimulants. It produces amphetamine and cocaine-like reinforcing effects including increased rate of euphoria. Children medicated with Ritalin who tried cocaine later on have reported higher levels of drug dependence than those who did not use Ritalin.
<p>
Sweden removed Ritalin from its market in 1968 because of widespread abuse. Yet, US pharmacuticals introduced it here anyway. Possibly in hopes of grabbing a huge market.
<p>
Side-effects or Ritalin:
<p>
<ul>
<li> Increased heart rate
<li> High blood pressure
<li> Fluctuations in body temperature
<li> Weight loss/appetite suppression
<li> Respiratory problems mimicking asthma
<li> Some cases of growth spurt retardation
<li> Twitching, facial tics, jitteriness
<li> Psychotic episodes
<li> Paranoia is some patients have been reported
<li> Dependence psychologically
</ul>

The International Narcotics Control Board expressed concern that CHADD (a non-protit organisation that promotes <i>and</i> is funded by manufacturers of Ritalin) is actively lobbying for the use of Ritalin in children even though their data conflicts with scientific data that exposes Ritalins as a dangerous substance.

Anai Rhoads

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Your question is beyond the scope of this particular Forum, which deals mostly with questions about behavior, emotions, perceptions, development, parenting, etc. Suffice it to say that you should definitely confer with your child's pediatrician. It's also important to recognize that the lab results are likely not related to his Ritalin prescription.