It is important that you, and eventually your child, become used to providing good quality blood spots. If poor quality blood spots are received at the lab, they may not be accepted.

This testing card takes 4 blood spot samples and is sent back to a lab where the phe level in the blood is tested. The results are sent to your dietitian, who will then contact you.

• These results show your dietitian what your child’s blood phe level is, and determine if any changes need to be made to your child’s diet. These changes will always be discussed with you.

Taking blood spot samples may seem a little daunting or even upsetting at first, but with practice you will soon become an expert and with time your child will be able to do this all by themselves.