WEHI researchers have developed a blood test that can detect iron deficiency in minutes, overcoming key limitations of existing point-of-care diagnostics and potentially transforming how the condition is diagnosed and treated worldwide.
Iron deficiency remains a major health burden, particularly in low-resource countries where access to conventional laboratory-based screening methods is limited.
The research team is now evaluating the test in Sub-Saharan Africa with the goal of establishing it as the region’s first validated point-of-care test for iron deficiency.
At a glance
- WEHI researchers have developed a rapid diagnostic test that can detect iron deficiency in 15 minutes – without specialised laboratory infrastructure.
- Unlike current rapid tests, the WEHI test includes a built-in reference line that makes it easier to identify. It also demonstrates a strong correlation with gold-standard laboratory methods used in high-income countries.
- The test could transform diagnosis and maternal health programs in low-resource settings, where iron deficiency remains a leading cause of disease and preventable death.
Iron deficiency is one of the world’s most common nutritional disorders, affecting millions of women and children globally.
Yet diagnosing it remains difficult in many low-resource settings, where access to laboratories and trained healthcare workers is limited.
The new WEHI diagnostic test could help overcome these critical barriers.
Using a finger-prick blood sample, the test delivers accurate results at the point of care in a single visit – eliminating the need for specialised laboratory equipment while enabling rapid, convenient diagnosis.
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.
Dr Emily Eriksson, who co-led the research team that developed the test, says the diagnostic could become a scalable solution for countries where access to laboratory testing and iron infusions is limited.
“Iron infusions are among the most prescribed medicines in Australia – reflecting the prevalence of iron deficiency and availability of effective treatment options,” she said.
“But simple methods to diagnose the condition remain largely out of reach for those living outside of high-income countries.
“Our test could close this health inequity gap and transform the lives of millions of women and babies around the world.”
While other rapid ferritin tests are available, WEHI’s test has been specifically 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. 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 – potentially improving access to timely diagnosis and treatment in remote and low-resource settings where laboratory services may be limited.
The test is co-developed by Professor David Anderson and Huy Van.
Gold-standard biomarker
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 of the test is its ability to instantly measure ferritin – the gold-standard biomarker for iron deficiency.
“Identifying iron deficiency in the context of, or even before it progresses to anaemia, is the critical gap this test is addressing”, he 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.”
The point-of-care ferritin testing would support both accurate diagnosis and ongoing monitoring.
Dr Ataide said: “Our test could empower healthcare professionals to make evidence-based, informed treatment decisions, with the potential to improve outcomes for women globally.”
Enhancing maternal care
It’s hoped the new point-of-care test could form a cornerstone of future maternal health programs in resource‑limited settings.
Iron deficiency is the most common cause of maternal anaemia and affects millions of pregnant women worldwide, particularly in low‑ and middle‑income countries.
Anaemia during pregnancy is linked to serious complications for both mother and baby, including preterm birth, restricted fetal growth and low birthweight.
In 2025, a landmark trial led by WEHI and the Training Research Unit of Excellence (Malawi), found a single iron infusion in the third trimester can significantly reduce iron deficient anaemia in pregnant women.
Researchers say the new test could, for the first time, identify who would most benefit from this treatment – moving away from a blanket approach and ensuring limited resources like iron infusions are used where they will have the greatest impact.
Real-world rollout
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). By the completion of the project, this investment is expected to significantly advance the test toward regulatory approval and global distribution.
The study is the latest to build upon WEHI’s long‑standing leadership in global anaemia research and complements recent efforts that have helped shape international guidelines for anaemia diagnosis and management.
The project is a collaboration involving: Dr Emily Eriksson, Dr Ricardo Ataide, Professor Ivo Mueller, Professor Sant-Rayn Pasricha, Professor David Anderson, Huy Van, and Professor Kamija Phiri (Training Research Unit of Excellence, Malawi) and Professor Jesse Gitaka (Mount Kenya University, Kenya).
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About WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research) WEHI is where brilliant minds collaborate and innovate to make life-changing scientific discoveries that help people live healthier for longer. Our medical researchers have been serving the community for more than 100 years, making transformative discoveries in cancer, infection and immunity, and lifelong health. WEHI brings together diverse and creative people with different experience and expertise to solve some of the world’s most complex health problems. With partners across science, health, government, industry, and philanthropy, we are committed to long-term discovery, collaboration, and translation. At WEHI, we are brighter together.
