Definition
Transferrin is a protein that plays an important role in the metabolism of iron. The iron enters the intestine with the food, from where it is transported to the intestinal wall cells via certain transporters. From there, the iron must enter the bloodstream.
Since high concentrations of iron in the blood are toxic, the iron needs a transport protein, which is transferrin. Without iron, the protein is called apotransferrin in biochemical terms. Once the apotransferrin has bound its iron, it becomes transferrin.
What is transferrin saturation?
Transferrin saturation is the amount of transferrin loaded with iron. Thus, transferrin floats freely in the blood in the form of its precursor (apotransferrin). Only when it binds the iron does it nominally become transferrin. The proportion of transferrin that is loaded with iron is normally about 20 to 30%, but up to 50% is not pathologically increased. Transferrin saturation can be calculated from the amount of transferrin and the concentration of iron in the blood.
When is Transferrin determined in blood?
Transferrin gives a good overview of the iron metabolism situation in the body. If Transferrin is within the normal range, the body has usually absorbed a balanced amount of iron. Information on the state of iron metabolism can also be obtained from transferrin saturation.
If the transferrin is elevated, on the other hand, this is often an indication that the body has too little iron. By increasing transferrin, the body tries to absorb more iron from the intestinal cells. Signs of iron deficiency can be increased fatigue, poor performance, headaches and concentration problems.
In the course of clarifying the iron deficiency and the resulting anemia (anemia), it may also be useful to determine the transferrin. Do you suspect an iron deficiency as the cause of your problems? On the contrary, there may also be symptoms that indicate a lack of transferrin.
In this case there is usually an overload of iron, as is the case with iron storage diseases (hemochromatosis), for example. Do you suspect an iron storage disease as the cause of your problems? By absorbing too much iron, the body tries to avoid further iron by making only a few transport proteins available.
If iron storage diseases are suspected, it can therefore be useful to determine the transferrin value. Transferrin is also considered to be an anti-acute phase protein, as it is often reduced in the body in the event of inflammation and infection. Although transferrin is not one of the classic laboratory parameters that are determined when an inflammation is suspected, a decrease in transferrin in the blood can occasionally be useful and provide valuable information about the origin of the infection.
In contrast, symptoms may also occur that indicate a lack of transferrin. In this case there is usually an overload of iron, as is the case with iron storage diseases (hemochromatosis), for example. Do you suspect an iron storage disease as the cause of your problems?
By absorbing too much iron, the body tries to avoid further iron by making only a few transport proteins available. If iron storage diseases are suspected, it can therefore be useful to determine the transferrin value. Transferrin is also considered to be an anti-acute phase protein, as it is often reduced in the body in the event of inflammation and infection.
Although transferrin is not one of the classic laboratory parameters that are determined when an inflammation is suspected, a decrease in transferrin in the blood can occasionally be useful and provide valuable information about the origin of the infection. By absorbing too much iron, the body tries to avoid further iron by making only a few transport proteins available. If iron storage diseases are suspected, it may therefore be useful to determine the transferrin value. Transferrin is also considered to be an anti-acute phase protein, as it is often reduced in the body in the event of inflammation and infection. Although transferrin is not one of the classic laboratory parameters that are determined when an inflammation is suspected, a decrease in transferrin in the blood can occasionally be useful and provide valuable information about the origin of the infection.
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