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Transferrin Serum (TRANF)

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EPIC Test Name

TRANSFERRIN

EPIC Code

LAB133

Specimen Requirements

plasma
Minimum Volume:0.5 mL
Collection:Collect using standard laboratory procedures
Transport:Room Temperature ASAP
Stability:Room Temperature: 8 days at 15-25 degrees C
Refrigerated: 8 days at 2-8 degrees C
Frozen: 6 months at -15 to -25 degrees C
Container:LT GRN
Processing/Storage:Centrifuge, pour off, and refrigerate plasma.
Rejection Causes:Hemolysis,
Insufficient Sample Volume, lipemic samples

Methods

Immunoturbidimetric

Turnaround Time

SpecimenTurnaround TimeFrequency
plasmaRoutine: 4 hours24/7

Reference Ranges

Immunoturbidimetric
All RangeUnit
200-360 mg/dLmg/dL

Clinical Indications

Transferrin (MW 79.6 kDa) is the principal transport protein for iron (Fe3+) in the circulation. It is synthesized in the liver and reticuloendothelial system, with a half-life of 8-10 days in the circulation. One molecule of Transferrin can reversibly bind two ferric (Fe3+) ions and the cellular delivery of iron occurs via receptor-mediated endocytosis. Apotransferrin (without iron) is then recycled back into the circulation. Transferrin’s iron binding affinity is affected by pH, i.e., high affinity at physiologic pH but lower affinity at decreased pH in the edosome allowing release of iron intracellularly.
In healty subjects, approximately one-third of the Fe-binding sites of transferrin are occupied by Fe3+ and transferrin has a large reserve Fe-binding capacity. The serum transferrin or total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) varies in iron disorders. In patients with Fe overload, e.g., Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) and iron loading anemia, the TIBC or transferrin is decreased. Transferrin is also a negative acute phase protein, whose concentrations decease during inflammatory states and in chromic liver disease, malnutrition, renal issuficiency and protein-losing enterophaties, but increase in pregnancy and estrogen therapy. In patients with iron deficiency anemia, transferrin and TIBC increase. The increase in transferrin concentration may cause an increase in beta 1-protein on serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) that may trigger investigation into the patient’s iron status. The beta2-transferrin, a desialated transferrin, has been considered as a marker for the detection of CSF traces or leakage in fluid from the ear or nasal passages.
Transferring results are widely used for the diagnosis of iron deficiency together with TIBC, Transferrin Saturaton (TSAT), serum iron and serum ferritin. Ferritin is considered as a much more sensitive and reliable test for iron deficiency. Transferrin concentration is often used for calculation for TIBC and Transferrin Saturaton (TSAT).

Performed

Lab
Chemistry - Downtown

Interpretative Information

• In patients with hereditary hemochromatosis, both serum iron and transferrin saturation (TSAT) are elevated, but transferrin or TIBC can be in low or reference range. Geneti analysis is condiserd as the fefinitive meaure for establishing diagnosis.
• In patients with iorn deficiency, transferrin or TIBC are elevated. Ferritin test should also be order for diagnosis.
• Decreased values of transferrin are seen in patients with chromic liver disease, malnutrition, renal issuficiency and protein-losing enterophaties

CPT

84466

LOINC

3034-6

References

1. Bachmann-Harildstad G. Diagnostic values of beta-2 transferrin and beta-trace protein as markers for cerebrospinal fluid fistula. Rhinology. 2008;46(2):82-5. PMID: 18575006.
2. Mantur M, Lukaszewicz-Zajac M, Mroczko B, KuÅ‚akowska A, Ganslandt O, Kemona H, et al. Cerebrospinal fluid leakage—reliable diagnostic methods. Clin Chim Acta 2011;412:837–40. PMID: 21334321.
3. Cappellini MD, Lo SF, Swinkels DW. Hemoglobin, iron, bilirubin. In Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry. Edited by N Rifai, AR Norwath and C Wittwer, 6 ed. St. Louis, Missouri, Elsevirer Inc, 2018, pp 719-75. ISBN: 978-0-323-35921-4
4. Ramsay WN: The determination of the total iron binding capacity of serum. 1957. Clin Chim Acta 1997;259:25-30. PMID: 9086291.
5. Markowitz H, Fairbanks VF: Transferrin assay and total iron binding capacity. Mayo Clin Proc 1983;58:827-828
6. Szoke D, Panteghini M: Diagnostic value of transferrin. Clin Chim Acta 2012;413:1184-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cca.2012.04.021

Contact Information

Chemistry - Downtown: (315)464-4460
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