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)
Test Details
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Discipline:
Biochemistry
Biochemistry
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Specimen Container Adult:
Serum (SST or plain tube)
Serum (SST or plain tube)
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Specimen Container Paediatric:
Serum (SST or plain tube)
Serum (SST or plain tube)
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Minimum Volume Adult:
1 mL
1 mL
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Minimum Volume Paediatric:
0.5 mL
0.5 mL
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Sample Stability:
Unseparated sample: 11 days
Separated sample: 8 days at 15-25°C, 8 days at 2-8°C, 6 months at -20°CUnseparated 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...Read MoreTransferrin 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 ↓ ↑ ↑ -
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
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Other Info:
lithium heparin plasma sample also acceptable
lithium heparin plasma sample also acceptable
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Routine Contact Name:
Duty Biochemist
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Routine Telephone:
Freeman: 0191 244 8889
RVI: 0191 282 9719Freeman: 0191 244 8889
RVI: 0191 282 9719 -
Routine Email: