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.

Excited for reliable home testing options

As the developers have stated there’s room for improvement with this app, and I’m excited for a day when it does provide reliable results. For a healthy individual, this is a great option to give you an idea. Unfortunately, for those that actually need this, it’s not reliable yet. I have faith that maybe someday it will be though!

As a mom of a kiddo with hemolytic anemia, conditions with the same symptoms, on top of delicate and difficult veins; this would be an absolute game changer. We’re only a month into this nightmare, and truthfully I haven’t really known when it was time to take her in since the first time she was hospitalized. That was only because she was ghost white with a yellow tinge and couldn’t keep anything down. Four transfusions and two hospitalizations later, I’m constantly second guessing myself. Is it her POTS, autonomic dysfunction, or is she hemolyzing again?? This poor kid is a tough poke, her veins go flat or blow extremely easily; so her poor arms are covered in bruises from draws and IV’s.

When we tried the app we had decent natural lighting, her first reading was 11.3 the second a few minutes later was 14.5. When I tried myself it said 10.3, which I know from recent bloodwork is no where close to accurate (not even the +\- 2.4 points). I’m hopeful that development and research continues because this would be so amazing for IMHA and anemia patients in general.

Developer Response ,

Please make sure to always consult with your doctor before making medical decisions.Hello. We’re very sorry to hear you’re having issues with AnemoCheck Mobile. As stated in our app description and FAQs, our app has room for improvement for users with chronically low hemoglobin levels or less than 10 g/dL. Please select “Submit Feedback” underneath the “More” tab within AnemoCheck Moble, or reach out to us directly at mymobile@sanguina.com to learn more about our optimizations for people with very low hgb levels. Please make sure to always consult with your doctor before making medical decisions.

Terribly Inaccurate!

I first downloaded this app about a year ago and quickly realized the readings were very inaccurate. The tests always showed me in the healthy range, though I struggle constantly with iron deficient anemia. Today, my doctor ordered a blood transfusion after getting my lab results back. I decided to try the app to see if it detected the low levels. Nope, it gave me scores of 14+ both times I tested.

I can’t understand how they advertise this app as being effective if it’s so far off. Obviously it’s not meant to be diagnostic, but I can’t see it being helpful at all. I have read that these types of tests can be less accurate for people of color, but they should include a disclaimer if that’s the case. Bent fingers also have more pigment in the nail bed than when they are straight, so I wonder if that leads to higher readings.

Either way, I have no use for this trash app, so I deleted it today. Just want to warn people not to rely on it, especially if you are anemic.

Developer Response ,

Hello, we’re sorry you are having issues using AnemoCheck Mobile. As stated in our description, our app is intended to be a wellness tool for those interested in estimating the likelihood of having iron deficiency or iron deficiency anemia. It should not be used as a medical device. You should consult your physician about any results. To learn more about our options for people with other anemia or medical conditions, please email us at anemocheckmobile@sanguina.com