According to the Office on Women’s Health iron-deficiency anemia affects more women than men. The risk of iron-deficiency anemia is highest for women who are either pregnant or have heavy menstrual periods. Overall more than 80 million people in America alone are at risk of anemia. Anemia testing traditionally requires access to a doctor or a lab, insurance, and needles. Sanguina is looking to change this with its AnemoCheck app, that brings hemoglobin level estimation directly into the consumer’s pocket.
AnemoCheck is the first non-invasive app that provides instant hemoglobin estimation through a ‘fingernail selfie’ (test). Since relaunching the app in 2021, Sanguina has had over 110,000 users sign up, and over half a million tests have been completed to date.
Over the past year Sanguina also conducted a study titled “Clinical and Real-World Evaluation of a ‘Fingernail Selfie’ Smartphone App For Non-Invasive, Individually-Personalized Estimation of Blood Hemoglobin Levels” to inform this development. The study served as a personalized algorithm training and testing pilot within a population of chronic kidney disease patients, who routinely have chronic anemia. It was carried out in two Atlanta area clinics, and results indicate that the app accuracy is similar to that of other noninvasive Hgb measurement technologies currently on the market as medical devices with United States FDA clearance.
After the clinical study, Sanguina analyzed personalized algorithms in the “real world” on people using AnemoCheck all over the U.S. and found results were similar to the clinical setting. Sanguina’s team corrected for potential variabilities between participants, such as the way they capture images, the smartphone they use, lighting conditions, and user biology. Individuals got blood drawn for standard labs and took fingernail selfies on the same day. Then they entered the blood test result in AnemoCheck to train an algorithm on the individual level. The results demonstrate proof of concept and are a true example of personalized medicine in the form of a smartphone app.
The study results motivated Sanguina to create the new AnemoCheck Premium Subscription: MyMobile. Premium subscribers can create their own unique algorithm that provides 50% more accurate results, are able to take an unlimited number of tests, have an unlimited test history, and have full access to past test results and can track trends such as mood and supplement use.
Scientific integrity is a central part of Sanguina’s culture,” says Sanguina CEO and Co-Founder, Erika Tyburski, who has struggled with anemia since childhood. “We typically update and improve AnemoCheck every two weeks, but this new study helped us create a whole new feature, MyMobile, to help users – especially those with chronic anemia – keep even closer tabs on their health. This is only our first target. We plan to expand to address other health and wellness metrics in the future. Our ultimate goal is to offer a product suite at your fingertips to improve access to comprehensive health monitoring.”
Looking ahead, Tyburski also aims to offer the app to people outside of the U.S. like in Southeast Asia and Africa, where many may have Wi-Fi access but may not have medical support within their communities. Because the technology is widely accessible, Sanguina hopes to make a significant impact to improve the quality of life in both US and global populations.
