AnemoCheck Mobile 4+

I Shocked a Phlebotomist

So I found this app from an ad on Facebook and thought ‘What the heck might as well give it a try.’ I just got done donating as I type this. I tested myself right in front of the guy and not 2 minutes later was doing the actual hemoglobin check with their machine. The app showed a 14.5 and their test came back with 13.7. I was impressed and the guy was shocked as all get out. I was expecting a difference of two mnumbers but it being that close was amazing. Definitely will keep and continue tracking.

I love this idea, but not quite ready.

I love the fact somebody cared enough to offer such an easy way to check hemoglobin. For those of us who are anemic, constant blood draws and highs and lows are a part of life. I love the idea of it. That it’s offered for free is wonderful, but it’s not quite ready.

I had this app for a few days before I was due to have a blood draw so I started testing daily. My first few tests said 14.4. Give or take a few points. 14.2 etc. Then 13. Next day 12.

With anemia those two points are very important. They make a huge difference. Difference between 6 and 8 can be life and death even.

This is what I’ve discovered. Your test will be most accurate if you snap the pic outside or very close to a sunny window that is NOT in direct sun. Just bright natural light, but not full force sun.

These tests I got 12.2. My hemoglobin via blood was 12.2. I did get a few that said 13.3 but not many. Most were very close. So that’s your best bet.

I think once this app matures its going to be invaluable, just not quite ready yet. Still mad respect to the creators. I hope they continue to invest in it. But if you are severely anemic don’t rely on this.

Not accurate

As much as I love this idea and was so excited to try it out I was immediately disappointed. As a mom of a son who is chronically anemic and always getting poked and prodded I hope this would be a less traumatic way to get an idea of where he was sitting. The first test we did said 12.4 I then tested myself with was 14.7. So I tested my son once again to make sure I just didn’t do it wrong. It came back again at a 12.4. I know this is incredibly inaccurate as he is currently in a really bad low for his condition and the fact that there has not been a day in his 7yrs of life that he has been at a 12. Not even directly after receiving a transfusion even. So as much as I love this concept and I hope that it matures into something that is accurate this is not an app I would trust even in the slightest with my sons health.

Developer Response ,

We’re very sorry to hear you’re having issues with AnemoCheck. As stated in our app description and FAQs, our app has room for improvement for users with chronically low hemoglobin or less than 10 g/dL. AnemoCheck should also not replace a blood test.
Please reach out to us at mymobile@sanguina.com to learn more about our optimizations for people with very low hgb levels.