Test Description

Transferrin is the iron transport protein in serum. In this assay, transferrin measurement is based on the immunological agglutination principle.

Transferrin is the main protein in the blood that binds to iron and transports it throughout the body. Transferrin levels rise with iron deficiency and fall in cases of iron overload. Normally, iron is absorbed from food and transported throughout the body by transferrin, which is produced by the liver.

When should this test be ordered?
Transferrin is a direct measure of the iron binding capacity. Transferrin is thus useful in assessing iron balance. Iron deficiency and overload are often evaluated with the other complementary laboratory tests: iron, UIBC and TIBC, and ferritin.
High Risk · Outside Reference Range
Lower than reference range:
Suggestive of Hemochromatosis or Chronic illness or Hemolytic Anemia or Sideroblastic Anemia. Treat underlying cause.

Greater than reference range:
Likely iron deficiency. Consider increasing patient's iron intake.They are also increased in pregnancy and with the use of oral contraceptives.

If not already completed, follow up with the CBC with reticulocyte count and Iron/UIBC/TIBC tests. Iron overload can be caused by ingestion of too many iron supplements and can be toxic at very high levels. In hemochromatosis, iron is abnormally stored in the body and may be treated with routine blood collection to reduce the iron stores.
Borderline Risk ·
Not applicable for this test.
Low Risk · Within Reference Range
Reference Range:

200-360 (mg/dL)

Testing Method Used
Immunological Agglutination.

Sample is stable for 8 days at 2-8°C

Please ship samples daily.
Improvements and Prevention
Consume a diet high in iron if directed so by your physician or health care provider. This would include a small portion of beef, or turkey, clams and salmon. Also pumpkin seeds, beans and spinach are high in iron.
Specimen Type
Serum
Fasting Required
No, but may be done with other tests that requires fasting.
Drawing and Processing
  1. Draw from a vein into a SST tubetube1
  2. Invert tube (do not shake) 1-2 times to mix adequately
  3. Let stand upright in tube rack for 30 minutes
  4. Centrifuge for 15 minutes at 3300rpm
  5. Do not leave at room temperature for more than 1 hour
  6. Keep cold in a refrigerator to maintain stability, until ready to ship
Shipping Instructions
  1. Freeze ice packs 24 hours prior to use
  2. Place ice packs inside the Styrofoam insulated kit
  3. Place processed tubes inside biohazard bag, place inside kit
  4. Seal box, print airbill and adhere to box and wait for courier to pick up
Rejection Criteria
QNS; temperature out of range upon receipt; grossly hemolyzed or lipemic; wrong specimen type; sample stability exceeded for this analyte; unlabeled or mislabeled specimen.
References
1. Brittenham GM. Disorders of iron homeostasis: iron deficiency and overload. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ Jr, Silberstein LE, et al., eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Saunders; 2012:chap 34.
2. Elghetany MT, Banki K. Erythrocytic disorders. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry’s Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Saunders; 2011:chap 32.
The information provided here is intended for educational purposes only and should not be used or substituted as medical advice. You should consult a healthcare practitioner regarding medical diagnosis or treatment.