A diagnostic gamechanger Lateral flow tests since the pandemic

Many of us got used to using lateral flow tests to check if we were infected with Covid.

- Linda Geddes

But despite the gag-inducing testing routines of the pandemic fading into memory, we may not have seen the back of those small diagnostic cartridges.

Boots UK recently launched finger-prick lateral flow tests (LFTs) to detect levels of vitamin D, iron or cholesterol in people's blood, as well as an influenza test.

Trials of LFTs to rapidly diagnose strokes are under way, and the type of sample that can be loaded on to these tests is expanding rapidly, from fingerprint sweat or river water to cat vomit.

LFTs are designed to rapidly detect a molecule of interest without the need for specialised costly equipment by incorporating highly specific antibodies into a plastic cartridge. These bind to the target and trigger a colour change if it is present, usually resulting in a red or blue line.