Newcastle Laboratories

Transferrin, serum

Clinical Background:

Transferrin ( or TIBC, Total Iron Binding Capacity) is the main transport protein to which iron is bound in the blood. TIBC is a measure of all the proteins in the blood that are available to bind ...

Transferrin ( or TIBC, Total Iron Binding Capacity) is the main transport protein to which iron is bound in the blood. TIBC is a measure of all the proteins in the blood that are available to bind with iron which includes transferrin but of these proteins transferrin is the primary iron-binding protein. The body produces transferrin in relationship to the need for iron. When iron stores are low, transferrin levels increase and vice versa. In healthy people, about one-third of the binding sites on transferrin are used to transport iron. Transferrin saturation (TSAT) - this is a calculation that represents the percentage of transferrin that is saturated with iron.

Transferrin saturation = (Iron (umol/L) x 3.98) / Transferrin (g/L)

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Test Details

  • Discipline:

    Biochemistry

    Biochemistry

  • Specimen Container Adult:

    Serum (SST or plain tube)

    Serum (SST or plain tube)

  • Specimen Container Paediatric:

    Serum (SST or plain tube)

    Serum (SST or plain tube)

  • Minimum Volume Adult:

    1 mL

    1 mL

  • Minimum Volume Paediatric:

    0.5 mL

    0.5 mL

  • Sample Stability:

    Unseparated sample: 11 days
    Separated sample: 8 days at 15-25°C, 8 days at 2-8°C, 6 months at -20°C

     

    Unseparated sample: 11 days
    Separated sample: 8 days at 15-25°C, 8 days at 2-8°C, 6 months at -20°C

     

  • Interpretation:

    Transferrin results need to be considered along with Iron, Ferritin and Transferrin Saturation

    Iron Transferrin Transferrin Sat Ferritin
    Iron Deficiency ↓ ↑ ↓ ↓

    Anaemia of Chronic Disease ↓ ↓ ↓ N...

    Transferrin results need to be considered along with Iron, Ferritin and Transferrin Saturation

    Iron Transferrin Transferrin Sat Ferritin
    Iron Deficiency ↓ ↑ ↓ ↓

    Anaemia of Chronic Disease ↓ ↓ ↓ N

    Iron Deficiency & Inflammation ↓ N ↓ N ↓ N

    Acute Phase response ↓ ↓ ↓ ↑

    Iron Overload ↑ N ↓ ↑ ↑

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  • Reference Ranges:

    Up to 4 weeks: 0.8 – 1.8 g/L

    4 weeks and over: 2.0 – 3.6 g/L

    Up to 4 weeks: 0.8 – 1.8 g/L

    4 weeks and over: 2.0 – 3.6 g/L

  • Other Info:

    lithium heparin plasma sample also acceptable

    lithium heparin plasma sample also acceptable

  • Routine Contact Name:

    Duty Biochemist

  • Routine Telephone:

    Freeman: 0191 244 8889
    RVI: 0191 282 9719

    Freeman: 0191 244 8889
    RVI: 0191 282 9719

  • Routine Email:

Availability:

24/7, analysed at Freeman

Turn Around:


Non urgent: within 1 day

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