Transferrin

Latest Edit: Iva Lloyd, ND 2024-02-12 (EDT)

See Also	Lab Tests

The transferrin test is used to measure iron metabolism in patients with iron deficiency, overload, or poisoning.

Discussion

• Roughly 70% of the iron in the body is found in the hemoglobin of the red blood cells (RBCs), while the other 30% is stored in the form of ferritin and hemosiderin
• About 10% of the ingested iron is absorbed in the small intestine and transported to the bone marrow via transferrin, for incorporation into hemoglobin.
• Serum iron determination reflects the measurement of the amount of iron bound to transferrin.

Patient Preparation

• Patient is required to fast for 12 hours before the blood test.

• Factors which can cause increased levels

• Drugs: Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cholestyramine, chloramphenicol, colchicine, deferoxamine, methicillin, and testosterone

• Factors which can cause decreased levels

• Drugs: Chloramphenicol, dextran, estrogens, ethanol, iron preparations, methyldopa, and oral contraceptives

Clinical Implications

High levels indicate:

• Estrogen therapy
• Pregnancy (late)
• Polycythemia vera
• Iron-deficiency anemia

Low levels indicate:

• Malnutrition
• Hypoproteinemia
• Inflammatory diseases
• Cirrhosis
• Hemolytic anemia
• Pernicious anemia
• Sickle cell anemia

Associated Tests

• Ferritin