What is the Suresign Iron Deficiency Test?
The Suresign Iron Deficiency test is a diagnostic tool that is used at home to measure the levels of ferritin in human blood. Ferritin is a protein that stores iron, and testing its levels can help determine if there is an iron deficiency present. The Suresign Iron Deficiency test kit includes a lancet, a collection device, and a cassette that is used to process the blood sample and provide accurate information about ferritin levels found in blood to determine iron deficiency.
How does the Suresign Iron Deficiency Test work?
The Suresign Iron Deficiency test kit works based on the principle of immunochromatography - a method used to rapidly detect the presence of a specific antigen or antibody in a blood sample. The test kit contains a membrane strip with three types of antibodies:
- Capture antibody, which is attached to the membrane strip at the test line and binds to ferritin in the blood sample.
- Conjugate antibody, which is conjugated to gold nanoparticles and binds to ferritin in the blood sample to form a complex (a group of two or more molecules held together by chemical bonds) with the capture antibody.
- Control antibody, which is attached to the membrane strip at the control line and binds to a control antibody that is present in the buffer solution.
When a blood sample is applied to the sample well, the ferritin in the sample binds to the capture antibody on the membrane strip. The conjugate antibody then binds to the ferritin, forming a complex which travels up the membrane strip and creates a visible line at the Control line section of the device. The control line should always appear if the test is working correctly, as it confirms the test has run as expected.
If ferritin is present in sufficient quantities in the blood sample, the complex binds to the capture antibody, forming a visible line at the Test line. This results in two (2) visible lines on the device, indicating a normal level of ferritin (a negative result for iron deficiency).
If there are insufficient levels of ferritin in the blood sample, the complex does not bind to the capture antibody and no line is formed at the Test line. This results in one (1) visible line on the device, indicating low levels of ferritin (a positive result for iron deficiency).
If no lines appear, or if only the test line appears without the control line, the test is considered invalid.
How do I use the Suresign Iron Deficiency Test?
Before conducting the test, make sure to follow the instructions below to ensure that the test results are accurate:
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
- Bring the test kit pouch to room temperature before opening.
- Remove the contents of the pouch and place it on an even surface.
- Carefully pull off and dispose of the released cap of the lancet.
- Use the alcohol pad provided in the kit to clean the fingertip of the middle or ring finger at the puncture site. Allow to air dry.
- Press the lancet on the side from where the cap was extracted against the fingertip (it is recommended to use the ring finger side. After use, the tip of the lancet will retract automatically and is safe.
- Keeping the hand down, massage the end of the finger that was priced to obtain a blood drop.
- Without squeezing the capillary dropper bulb, put it in contact with the blood. The blood will migrate into the capillary dropper through the capillarity to the line indicated on the dropper.
- Put the blood collected into the sample well of the cassette by squeezing the dropper bulb.
- Wait for the blood to be totally dispensed in the sample well.
- Unscrew the cap of the buffer bottle and add 1 drop of buffer into the sample well of the cassette.
- Wait for the coloured lion(s) to appear. Make sure to read the results 5 minutes after conducting the test. Do not interpret the result after 10 minutes.
How do I interpret the results?
Normal
Both Test (market with T) and Control (C) lines will appear - this result means that the ferritin concentration in blood is normal and there is no potential iron deficiency.
Abnormal
Only one line Control (C) line appears - this might indicate that the ferritin concentration in your blood is too low. You should consult with your GP or doctor because this might be a sign of iron deficiency.
Invalid
Control (C) line fails to appear - this might be caused by insufficient specimen volume or incorrect procedural techniques. Review the procedure and repeat the test with a new test kit.