transferrin in serum
Reference interval
- Adults: 252-429 mg/dL.
Principle
The Beckman Array Protein System, in conjunction with the Transferrin Reagent Test Kit, is intended for in vitro diagnostic quantitation of Transferrin of biological fluids by rate nephelometry.
Transferrin is synthesized in the liver. It is the major beta-globulin in serum protein electrophoresis. Its major function is the transport of iron & the prevention of loss of iron through the kidney. Its binding of iron prevents iron disposition in the tissues during temporary increases in absorbed iron or free iron. It also has bacteriostatic qualities.
Transferrin transports iron to its storage site & to the bone marrow. It is not assimilated in the transport, but releases the iron to the target cell. The transferrin is then available for combination with more iron.
Clinical significance
A decreased transferrin level usually indicates an overall decrease in synthesis of protein, but it may represent increased binding of transferrin by histiocytes.
In the congenital defect atransferrinemia, a very low level of transferrin is accompanied by iron overload in which excess iron is deposited in the tissues, especially the liver & pancreas. These patients show a severe hypochromic anemia, along with bronze skin, cirrhosis, diabetes mellitus & low plasma transferrin levels.
Increases
- pregnancy
- estrogen administration
- iron-deficiency anemia
Decreases
- chronic inflammation
- chronic disease
- malnutrition
- nephrotic syndrome
- protein-losing enteropathies
- hemochromatosis
- atransferrinemia
Specimen
No special patient preparation is required. 200 uL of serum. Store sample in freezer until ready for assay. Highly lipemic samples may result in inaccurate determination & should be redrawn on a fasting patient.
More general terms
Additional terms
- nephelometry
- serotransferrin; transferrin; Siderophilin; beta-1 metal-binding globulin (TF)
- transferrin saturation in serum/plasma
Component of
- iron studies
- iron/transferrin in serum
- transferrin carbodydrate deficient/total in serum/plasma
- transferrin carbodydrate deficient pentasialo+hexasialo/total in serum/plasma
- transferrin carbodydrate deficient pentasialo/total in serum/plasma
- transferrin carbodydrate deficient tetrasialo/total in serum/plasma
- transferrin carbodydrate deficient trisialo/total in serum/plasma
- transferrin carbodydrate deficient disialo/total in serum/plasma
- transferrin carbodydrate deficient monosialo/total in serum/plasma
- transferrin carbodydrate deficient asialo/total in serum/plasma
- ovarian cancer 5 protein panel
References
- ↑ Bishop, Michael, Duben-von Laufen, Janet R., Fody, Edward: Clinical Chemistry- Principles, Procedures Corrections, p. 596- 597, 1985.
- ↑ Tietz, Norbert W.: Textbook of Clinical Chemistry, W.B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia, PA, p. 596-597, 1986.
- ↑ Beckman Array Protein System Operating Manual.
- ↑ Teitz, Norbert, W.: Fundamentals of Clinical Chemistry, pp. 333- 334, 1987.
- ↑ Transferrin Laboratory Test Directory ARUP: http://www.aruplab.com/guides/ug/tests/0050570.jsp