Exams and Tests

A doctor diagnoses iron poisoning by observing your child. A normal physical exam and no symptoms for 6 hours tells the doctor that the child experienced either little poisoning or did not eat any iron-containing substances.

• If you can, tell the doctor the type of iron supplement and the number of tablets swallowed.

• The doctor may draw blood from your child to determine these levels:
  
  
  • Iron
    
    
  • White blood cell count
    
    
  • Serum glucose (blood sugar)
    
    

• The doctor may perform an x-ray of your child’s abdomen to confirm there are iron pills in the gastrointestinal tract, although sometimes they are there and not seen.

• Laboratory and imaging tests are not usually sensitive enough to detect poisoning. Some tests are also too slow to affect the diagnosis and management of iron poisoning.