Living with PKU

A clear, compassionate guide drawn from 40+ years of PKU life. For those newly diagnosed with PKU, or those with an allied disorder or a low-protein diet therapy. A great book for health professionals, too.
Front covers of the paperback and ebook versions of “Living with PKU: A Low Protein Life with Phenylketonuria” by Pauline O’Connor, featuring fruit illustrations on a green background.
“Living with PKU” shares real-life insights and advice for managing Phenylketonuria, now available in print and digital formats.

A low-protein life with Phenylketonuria

Read a free sample of Living with PKU

A clear, compassionate guide drawn from 40+ years of PKU life.

Pauline’s heartfelt memoir explains PKU with remarkable clarity. Drawing on decades of personal experience and honest reflections, it helps teens, adults, and families navigate dietary complexities, emotional challenges, and everyday life with PKU. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Absolutely brilliant & factual…lots of very good advice."

Who it's for:

  • Those newly diagnosed with PKU, or
  • those with an allied disorder or a low-protein diet therapy.
  • Parents and caregivers
  • Dieticians, teachers, and allied health professionals

What you'll discover:

  • How PKU shapes choices, moods, and our professional & social lives
  • Practical advice on low-protein living
  • Stories of mistakes, insight, and acceptance

Author Insight:

"I want to share my ups and downs, experience and mistakes to help others navigating the difficult dietary treatment."

Praise for Living with PKU:

Completely fabulous. Brilliantly written.” — Suzanne Ford, NSPKU Dietician

Well-written, as well as wise, and never once does it run out of steam or become dull to a non-knowledgeable reader.” — Alex Gazzola, journalist and author of Allergy Insight.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“This would be an excellent book for anyone with PKU, their friends and family, and importantly, clinicians treating those with PKU. Knowing what the lived experience is of PKU is essential to providing better care and this should be read by GPs, dieticians, and consultants alike. Highly recommend!” Philippa Turner on Amazon

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Thank you for writing this book... covered everything and is an invaluable resource. I will never truly know the challenges a life with PKU will entail but I feel this book has equipped me with some insights that will help me help my niece navigate through them.” Amazon review.

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Living with PKU – Frequently Asked Questions

What is "Living with PKU" about?

This book offers a compassionate and practical guide to living well with Phenylketonuria (PKU), a rare inherited metabolic condition. It shares real-life experiences, nutrition strategies, mental health tips, and support tools for individuals and families managing a low-protein lifestyle.

Who is this book for?

It's ideal for adults living with PKU, parents of children with PKU, carers, teachers, dieticians, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of life with this rare condition.

What makes this book different from clinical guides?

"Living with PKU" shares the lived experience. It goes beyond the science, exploring emotional wellbeing, social challenges, and identity with insight and honesty. It complements clinical advice with day-to-day lived wisdom.

Is this book medically accurate?

Yes. While it’s not a replacement for professional medical advice, the content has been informed by research and reviewed by individuals with lived experience and expert dietitians.

Does the book include dietary advice or recipes?

It includes discussion around managing the PKU diet in daily life, including shopping, social situations, and cooking low-protein meals, but it is not a recipe book. For that, see the companion titles in the Low Phe series.

Is it available in print or ebook?

Yes, "Living with PKU" is available in both paperback and ebook formats through PKUBooks.com and major retailers.

Where can I buy the book?

You can order directly from PKUBooks.com, or via other online bookstores.

Can I read a free sample of the Living with PKU book?

Yes! You can either:

Living with PKU: a low-protein life with Phenylketonuria