Transferrin is the main protein in the blood that binds to iron and transports it throughout the body. A transferrin test directly measures the level in the blood. Alternatively, transferrin may be measured indirectly (or converted by calculation) so that its level is expressed as the amount of iron it is capable of a binding. This is called the total iron binding capacity (TIBC).
Iron is an essential nutrient that, among other functions, is necessary for the production of healthy red blood cells (RBCs). It is a critical part of hemoglobin, the protein in RBCs that binds oxygen in the lungs and releases oxygen as blood circulates to other parts of the body. The body cannot produce iron and must absorb it from the foods we eat or from supplements.
The transferrin test, TIBC, UIBC, and transferrin saturation, along with other iron tests, help evaluate the amount of iron in the body by measuring several substances in the blood. These tests are often ordered at the same time and the results interpreted together to help diagnose and/or monitor iron deficiency or iron overload.
Transferrin test—directly measures the level of transferrin in the blood. The level depends on 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
INTERPRETATIONS:
The normal range for Serum Transferrin is 200-360 mg/dl. Greater values indicate iron deficiency, while lesser values indicate iron excess.
WHY GET TESTED?
Along with other iron tests, to assess your body's ability to transport iron in the blood; to help diagnose iron-deficiency or iron overload.
Why is Transferrin done?
Serum Transferrin test is performed when symptoms of iron deficiency or iron excess appear. These symptoms include:
Deficiency:
- Chronic fatigue
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Pale skin color
Excess:
- Joint pain
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Hair loss
- Reduced libido