I think it is important to get someone familiar with drawing bloods from children.  We once had one guy do the bloods and he didn't study the blood test form correctly---did a good draw for 'one' of the items listed and withdrew, then after studying the blood form closely he relaized there were others so he put it down and had to draw again.  Then like an idiot he had to do this all over again because there was yet 'another' tests on there he had not noticed.  By this time my son as screaming and kicking and I was getting ready to punch this guy for not doing his job properly!  LOL.  Never again I tell you---after that I always made sure that we got someone who had worked with kids.

It does not help when they get tense either.  When my son was around the age of 5 - 6 yrs we managed to teach him a few distraction techniques and explained that if he relaxed that it was less painful.  You can teach them this and tell them to look away from what is happening and think of something nice.  Also the promise of a McDonalds lunch or their favourite lolly, snack or whatever is usually a good one.  Some kids take some time to settle with the bloods tests but I was pleasantly surprised when we did this and at the next blood draw and there on out my son was excellent.  Even his brothers have had blood tests since for various things and they (havibng watched him have his) didn't even bat an eye lid!  Unbeleivable.  Almost like it is normal with their kid brother so it must be okay!

I stand corrected---it is under suppressed---must keep trying to remember that they don't make cortisol so instead it is androgen!

JH