If you have any questions, please contact your healthcare provider.
Self-sampling dried blood spots
Please read the instructions carefully and check whether all products are included. Choose the finger you want to prick. Usually this is your index- or middle finger of the non-dominant hand, often the left. Remove any jewelry. A second lancet is included if you could not fill the spots the first time. It is better to choose another finger to prick. Repeat steps 4 and 5 and make sure to collect at least two large, round droplets of blood onto the filter paper, each droplet in its own circle. Leave the card to dry and when dried, continue with the instructions.
Overview of supplies
The following should be in the package:
Check the quality of the dried blood spots
Always check that the circles are sufficiently filled with blood. You should NOT press on the paper with your finger. You may not have small droplets of blood. At least two circles should be sufficiently filled with one large droplet of blood. If the drop is too small, move to the next circle. You may only make one drop per circle.
Check the backside of the filter paper. The droplet of blood has to be large enough so that the circle of blood on the back is the same size as at the front.
Self-sampling dried blood spots, total overview
llustrations: Rosalie C. Martens