Rapid blood test can detect iron deficiency in minutes

Scientists at WEHI (the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute) have developed a blood test that can detect iron deficiency in just 15 minutes, overcoming key limitations of existing point-of-care diagnostics and potentially transforming how the condition is diagnosed and treated worldwide. The finger-prick test is now being evaluated in Sub-Saharan Africa, with the goal of establishing it as the region’s first validated point-of-care test for iron deficiency.

Low iron occurs when the body’s iron stores become depleted, while anaemia develops later when there is insufficient haemoglobin in the blood to carry oxygen effectively. In many low-resource settings, healthcare workers only have resources to screen for haemoglobin, which can identify anaemia but cannot confirm iron deficiency.

Dr Ricardo Ataide, who will lead the field validation and implementation of the diagnostic, said the real breakthrough lies in its ability to instantly measure ferritin — the gold-standard biomarker for iron deficiency. While other rapid ferritin tests are available, WEHI’s test has been designed to provide a clear visual reference at the clinically important ferritin threshold of 30 ng/mL, helping healthcare workers confidently identify iron deficiency at the point of care.

“Identifying iron deficiency in the context of, or even before it progresses to, anaemia is the critical gap this test is addressing,” Ataide said.

“Too often, women with low iron stores are missed because their haemoglobin levels appear normal.

“By directly identifying low ferritin levels, our test enables clinicians to clearly identify those women who are truly iron deficient and would benefit from timely treatment.”

Because the test closely matches the accuracy of standard laboratory ferritin measurements, it can provide a reliable diagnosis without the need for a follow-up venous blood test — eliminating the need for specialised laboratory equipment. It can also be administered by a broad range of healthcare professionals, removing the need for dedicated training that can be hard to deliver in remote or under-resourced communities.

It’s hoped the new point-of-care test could form a cornerstone of future maternal health programs in resource‑limited settings, with iron deficiency affecting millions of pregnant women worldwide and anaemia during pregnancy linked to serious complications for both mother and baby.

In 2025, a landmark trial led by WEHI and Malawi’s Training Research Unit of Excellence (TRUE) found a single iron infusion in the third trimester can significantly reduce iron-deficient anaemia in pregnant women. The researchers said their new test could identify who would most benefit from this treatment, ensuring limited resources like iron infusions are used where they will have the greatest impact.

“Our test could empower healthcare professionals to make evidence-based, informed treatment decisions, with the potential to improve outcomes for women globally,” Ataide said.

The test is being contract-manufactured under the relevant international industry standards before deployment in Malawi and Kenya to demonstrate real-world performance, generate critical evidence and establish a pathway for rapid implementation in low-resource settings. The evaluation studies are being supported by the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), whose investment is expected to significantly advance the test towards regulatory approval and global distribution.

Image credit: iStock.com/Bamusiime Sylvia