Transferrin, Serum

The transferrin test is useful to assess the body’s ability to ‘’bind’’ and transport iron across the body.

The transferrin test is ordered along with other iron tests and is helpful for the below

• Can help determine the cause of anemia
• Examine iron metabolism - low transferrin directly impacts production of hemoglobin and thus the onset of anemia
• Determine how much iron the blood can carry

Your healthcare provider would order Transferrin test when anemia is suspected. The symptoms of anemia include Pallor - pale skin or whitish skin, headaches, weakness, fatigue and a feeling of tiredness, feeling dizzy or having blackouts and rapid breathing.

Transferrin test may also be ordered when iron overload is suspected. Since iron tends to accumulate due to overload, the person with iron overload may experience joint pain or signs of organ damage. Abdominal pain especially in kids is a symptom of iron overload. Lack of sex drive, fatigue are also other common symptoms.

Other Names:  Transferrin

Transferrin test is ordered to assess the body’s ability to bind and transport iron in the blood. The level depends upon liver function and a person's nutritional status. Transferrin is a protein that may decrease during any inflammatory process and is referred to as a negative acute phase reactant.

Transferrin is a glycoprotein primarily produced in the liver and is secreted into the blood. The most important function of transferrin is that it acts as the principal transport protein for iron throughout the body and transports over 70% to the bone marrow for incorporation into hemoglobin within RBCs. The remainder is stored in the tissue.

In very simple terms, the human body absorbs iron from the food you eat and transferrin transports it across the body and especially to the bone marrow where it is incorporated in to hemoglobin. The rest of the transferrin in stored in tissues as Ferritin (You can read about the Ferritin test here)

Therefore the amount of transferrin in the blood at any point is regulated simply by how much iron is available in the blood. So when there is a deficiency of iron, the levels of transferrin go up. Transferrin is usually saturated one-third with iron and therefore when there is iron-deficiency, the saturation of transferrin goes down. This happens before the appearance of anemia. 

Male: 178 - 354 mg/dL

Female: 180 - 372 mg / dL

Interpretation

Elevated transferrin levels indicate iron deficiency anemia. Low transferrin are noted both in iron overload and cases of malnutrition.  Your transferrin levels may also indicate liver/kidney disorders if any. Levels may be lower in hemolytic anemia too. The transferrin test is always ordered along with other iron tests and hence your healthcare provider will interpret these reports together to determine your iron status.