Biochemistry

Preferred Sample Type

Transferrin

Transferrin

Specimen Volume

5-10 mL

Sample Preparation

Centrifuge

Turnaround Time

24 hours

Sample Processing In Laboratory

Usual

Sample Stability

4 ºC

General Information

Transferrin is the iron transport protein in serum. It is a glycoprotein consisting of a polypeptide strand with 2 N-glycosidically linked oligosaccharide chains and exists in numerous isoforms. The rate of synthesis of transferrin in the liver depends on the bodies iron requirements and iron reserves. In cases of iron deficiency, transferrin saturation is a sensitive marker of functional iron depletion. Ferritin is depressed when there is a deficiency of stored iron. Total iron binding capacity (TIBC) is calculated from serum transferrin and used to calculate the percentage of iron saturation.

 

Serum transferrin is elevated in iron deficiency anaemia due to inadequate iron uptake, chronic loss of blood, increased utilisation of iron in late pregnancy or continued use of oral contraceptives. Transferrin is decreased in conditions which cause low protein levels e.g. nephrotic syndrome, chronic renal failure, severe burns, severe liver disease and protein malnutrition. It can also be decreased in inflammatory states and severe illness. In screening for hereditary haemochromatosis, transferrin provides a better indication of the homozygous genotype than ferritin. Transferrin is the best marker for treatment of patients with renal failure with erythropoietin. Transferrin saturation in conjunction with ferritin conclusively predicts the exclusion of iron overloading in patients with chronic liver disease.

Patient Preparation

None

Reference Range

Male:

1-14 yrs             1.86 - 3.88 g/L

>14 - 60 yrs       1.74 - 3.64 g/l

>60 - 80 yrs       1.63 - 3.44 g/L

 

Female:

1-14 yrs             1.80 - 3.91 g/L

>14 - 60 yrs       1.80 - 3.82 g/l

>60 - 80 yrs       1.73 - 3.60 g/L

Specifications

  • EQA Status: NEQAS
  • EQAS Scheme: Yes

Creation Date

Monday, 08 August 2011

Modification Date

Monday, 10 February 2020

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Protection of Personal Information – Clinical Laboratory Services comply with the Trust Data Protection Policy and have procedures in place to allow the Directorate and it’s employees to comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 and associated best practice and guidance.

University Hospitals Birmingham medical laboratories at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital and Solihull Hospital are UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accredited to the ISO 15189:2012 standard. For a list of accredited tests and other information please visit the UKAS website using the following link: https://www.ukas.com/find-an-organisation/

  • Molecular Pathology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8759
  • Biochemistry is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8910
  • Haematology and Transfusion is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8784
  • Clinical Microbiology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8760
  • Cellular Pathology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 10141
  • Musculoskeletal laboratory is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 9897
  • Heartlands, Good Hope and Solihull Hospital pathology laboratories are a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No.8217.

Tests not appearing on the UKAS Schedule of Accreditation currently remain outside of our scope of accreditation. However, these tests have been validated to the same high standard as accredited tests and are performed by the same trained and competent staff.

For further test information, please visit the test database: http://qehbpathology.uk/test-database

For further information contact Louise Fallon, Quality Manager, 0121 371 5962