AnaemiaScreen

AnaemiaScreen

Test for iron deficiency anaemia (anemia) with our accurate easy to use home test kit.

AnaemiaScreenâ„¢ is a home anaemia test kit for iron deficiency anaemia. It is a blood test for anaemia that detects if you have low iron in your blood. AnaemiaScreenâ„¢ measures ferritin, a protein involved in the storage of iron in your body, which is the most sensitive indicator of iron deficiency anaemia. A low blood iron level is the most common cause of anaemia, which in women is frequently caused by heavy menstrual periods. There can however be many other causes of low blood iron levels such as bleeding into the gut, a common cause in older people.Our AnaemiaScreen test kit has been designed for use at home and comes with clear, step-by-step instructions that are easy to follow. The test takes just 10 minutes. A small finger-prick blood sample is taken with a sterile lancet provided in the kit. The blood sample is then transferred to the AnaemiaScreenâ„¢ test cassette using the micropipette provided, and after the addition of six drops of buffer solution the result is shown in 10 minutes. A positive result is given if you have a low ferritin level below 20 ng/ml.

The summary below shows you how easy it is to take your finger-prick blood sample, run the test and then interpret your results.

Everything you need to perform the test is provided in the kit:

• Easy to follow, step-by-step instructions
• A test cassette and diluent dropper bottle
• Two sterile lancets and micropipettes (a spare one of each is included)
• An alcohol swab to sterilise your finger

About Iron Deficiency Anaemia

Iron deficiency anaemia is very common affecting up to 5% of men and post-menopausal women. The most common cause of iron deficiency is heavy menstrual periods with up to 10% of women affected at some stage in their lives. Iron deficiency anaemia is also common in pregnancy because of the requirements of the developing baby for iron.

There can be many other causes of iron deficiency, including bleeding into the gut. This is a common cause in older people and can be due to a variety of conditions such as peptic ulcers or colitis. Conditions that affect the absorption from the gut such as coeliac disease can also reduce iron intake and lead to anaemia.

The most common symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia include:

• tiredness
• lethargy (lack of energy)
• shortness of breath (dyspnoea)
• palpitations (irregular heartbeat)
• rapid pulse
• pale complexion

Other less common symptoms can include:

• headaches
• tinnitus (ringing in your ears)
• an altered sense of taste
• dry, brittle nails or 'spoon nails'
• painful ulcers on the corners of your mouth
• a sore tongue and difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)

In many people iron deficiency anaemia will develop slowly and there may be few signs of the illness. The severity of your symptoms may depend on how quickly your anaemia develops, so AnaemiaScreen our home screening test for iron deficiency anaemia will help you check for the condition.

AnaemiaScreen – Frequently Asked Questions

How does AnaemiaScreenâ„¢ work?

Ferritin is a protein and the primary form of iron stored inside your body's cells. A positive result means that the ferritin concentration in your blood is lower than 20ng/mL and that you have a possible iron deficiency.

When should you use AnaemiaScreenâ„¢?

The AnaemiaScreenâ„¢ test should be performed if you have symptoms that include pale complexion, tiredness, headaches, heart palpitations or shortness of breath when exercising, during pregnancy or heavy periods. The test can be used at any time of the day but must not be performed when you have an infection, acute inflammations or in cases of spleen or liver injury. A false positive result could be obtained where there is no iron deficiency in these situations.

How accurate is AnaemiaScreenâ„¢?

The test results are accurate as long as the instructions are followed very carefully. However if the AnaemiaScreenâ„¢ test cassette gets wet before performing the test or if the volume of blood added to the sample well is incorrect, the accuracy of the test can be affected. The pipette provided in the kit is marked to show when the correct volume of blood has been collected. If used correctly studies have shown AnaemiaScreenâ„¢ has an accuracy of over 98% compared to reference methods

Are there any instruction videos that would help me to use the test components properly?

Yes, if you are unsure as to how use the lancets or micropipettes provided in the kit we recommend that you watch the manufacturer's instruction videos. To view these short videos on how to use the lancets please go to Unistick 3, and for the micropipettes, please got to Microsafe.

How to interpret the test if the colour and intensity of the lines are different?

The colour and intensity of the test lines are of no importance in the interpretation of the test result. The lines only need to be uniform and clearly visible and a line of any colour intensity by the 'Test' mark should be regarded as negative.

What is the purpose of the line under the mark C on the cassette for?

This is a test control and when this line appears, it means that the test has performed correctly.

If I read the result after 15 minutes, will the result still be valid?

No, the result should be read within 10 minutes of adding the test diluent and is reliable only up to 15 minutes.

What should I do if the test result is positive?

If the AnaemiaScreenâ„¢ test result is positive it means that the level of ferritin in your blood is lower than the normal (20ng/mL) and that you should seek medical advice from your doctor who will decide if further investigation should be performed.

What should I do if the test result is negative?

If the test result is negative, it means that the level of ferritin in your blood is higher than 20ng/ml and within the normal range. However, as no test is 100% effective we would recommend that you consult your doctor if your symptoms persist.