Why is soluble transferrin high in iron deficiency anemia?
Table of Contents
When the iron level drops, the cells produce more transferrin receptors. As more receptors are produced, more are cleaved from cell surfaces and enter the blood, increasing the level of soluble transferrin receptors.
What happens to transferrin in iron deficiency?
Transferrin increases with iron deficiency and decreases when iron status improves or with protein-energy malnutrition. If a patient has concurrent iron deficiency, it is difficult to determine whether a low transferrin level reflects iron status or protein status.
What does sTfR test detect?
Soluble transferrin receptors (sTfR) are proteins found in blood that can become elevated in the presence of iron-deficiency. This test measures the amount of soluble transferrin receptors within the blood, to help detect and evaluate iron deficiency and aid in the diagnosis of iron deficiency anaemia.
What is the most sensitive indicator of iron deficiency anemia?
Serum ferritin and stainable iron in tissue stores are the most sensitive laboratory indicators of mild iron deficiency and are particularly useful in differentiating iron deficiency from the anemia of chronic disorders.
What is a normal soluble transferrin receptor?
Normal adult levels vary from 2 to 5 mg/l. However, pediatric studies are few and describe normal ranges to the tune of 1.0–3.0 mg/l, which are relatively lower than that of adults. In present study 40 healthy children (2–12 years) were evaluated to establish normal soluble transferrin receptor range.
What are symptoms of low transferrin?
These may include:
- Joint pain.
- Fatigue, weakness.
- Weight loss.
- Lack of energy.
- Abdominal pain.
- Loss of sex drive.
- Organ damage, such as in the heart and/or liver.
What does transferrin level indicate?
Normal values are 250 to 450 mcg/dL. A higher level means that you may have iron-deficiency anemia. Another measurement, called transferrin saturation, checks how many places on your transferrin that can hold iron are actually doing so. Normal values are 15% to 50%.
What is the difference between transferrin and ferritin?
The main difference between ferritin and transferrin is that the ferritin is the protein that stores iron in the cell whereas the transferrin is the transporter of iron in the blood and other fluids. Furthermore, ferritin stores iron as Fe (III) while transferrin transports iron as Fe (II).
Which of the following are symptoms of iron deficiency anemia?
Iron deficiency anemia signs and symptoms may include:
- Extreme fatigue.
- Weakness.
- Pale skin.
- Chest pain, fast heartbeat or shortness of breath.
- Headache, dizziness or lightheadedness.
- Cold hands and feet.
- Inflammation or soreness of your tongue.
- Brittle nails.
What does low ferritin and transferrin levels indicate?
Low serum levels of ferritin or transferrin saturation, imply a situation of absolute or functional ID. It is sometimes difficult to differentiate ID anemia from anemia of chronic diseases, which can coexist. In this case, other parameters, such as soluble transferrin receptor activity can be very useful.
Can STFR be used to identify iron-deficiency anemia in patients with concurrent inflammatory disease?
Determination of serum soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) has been proposed to identify iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) in patients affected by concurrent inflammatory disease that may spuriously increase ferritin concentration. The aim of this study was to critically review the available literature t …
What is the soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR)?
In recent years, the soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) has been introduced as a sensitive, early and highly quantitative new marker of iron depletion, increasing in proportion to tissue iron deficit. Unlike conventional laboratory tests, the sTfR is not an acute phase reactant and remains normal in patients with chronic disease.
What is the function of the transferrin receptor?
Iron transport in the plasma is carried out by transferrin, which donates iron to cells through its interaction with a specific membrane receptor, the transferrin receptor (TfR). A soluble form of the TfR (sTfR) has been identified in animal and human serum. Soluble TfR is a truncated monomer of tis …