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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Could Cause An Urge To Slate Pencils In An Adult?

i am 27yrs old married i often eat slate pencils, some how i like to eat them, i feeling like im enjoying eat, but im also worried that eating this, will cause any harm and am a healthy women i take nutritious food daily, plz help me now, if i can continue the same
posted on Fri, 14 Mar 2014
Twitter Tue, 20 May 2014 Answered on
Twitter Wed, 21 May 2014 Last reviewed on
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello dear,

Though eating of slate pencils may not cause you any acute health issue per se (except may be episodic pain in abdomen), it can be a feature of an underlying pathological condition.
The continuous craving for eating inedible substances (like slate pencils) is known as Pica.
It is one of the features of Iron deficiency anemia.

Investigations like complete blood count & peripheral blood smear will be helpful in clinching the diagnosis.
Based on the reports, management will include administration of supplemental Iron & Folic acid preparations.
There can be associated factors like hookworm infection which needs to be managed with Albendazole preparations.
Also you need to take a healthy balanced diet rich in green leafy vegetables.

So, kindly consult your General Physician for proper clinical evaluation.
Wishing you a good health.
Take care.
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What Could Cause An Urge To Slate Pencils In An Adult?

Hello dear, Though eating of slate pencils may not cause you any acute health issue per se (except may be episodic pain in abdomen), it can be a feature of an underlying pathological condition. The continuous craving for eating inedible substances (like slate pencils) is known as Pica. It is one of the features of Iron deficiency anemia. Investigations like complete blood count & peripheral blood smear will be helpful in clinching the diagnosis. Based on the reports, management will include administration of supplemental Iron & Folic acid preparations. There can be associated factors like hookworm infection which needs to be managed with Albendazole preparations. Also you need to take a healthy balanced diet rich in green leafy vegetables. So, kindly consult your General Physician for proper clinical evaluation. Wishing you a good health. Take care.