~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This message is from PedTalk! To reply to the group, use "" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I evaluate the child and give the > parents my opinion, along with a brief lesson on ADHD. I think that's all we can do. If they don't trust our medical judgement, maybe it's better that they do find another doctor. > Moshe Adler, MD Another problem I have encountered with the "potential" ADHD patient when the parents are demanding a prescription for Ritalin: lab work! The parents demand Ritalin and when I start recommending that we check some lab work first - serum lead level, thyroid function tests, CBC, iron level, etc.- the parents start whining about they don't want any blood work. Why? The child will cry, the expense, etc. I would like to inquire about what lab work you would initially do. Do you ever just start a child on Ritalin without checking any blood work? For your children with ADHD and you prescribed meds, how often do you check lab work (CBC, Liver function tests, etc.)? Andrew Green, MD