What is serum transferrin?
What is serum transferrin?
Transferrin is the iron transport protein in serum. In cases of iron deficiency, the degree of transferrin saturation appears to be an extremely sensitive indicator of functional iron depletion. The ferritin levels are depressed when there is a deficiency of storage iron.
What happens when transferrin is low?
Low transferrin can impair hemoglobin production (since to make hemoglobin, you have to have iron) and so lead to anemia. Low transferrin can be due to poor production of transferrin by the liver (where it’s made) or excessive loss of transferrin through the kidneys into the urine.
What does high serum transferrin mean?
A high TIBC, UIBC, or transferrin usually indicates iron deficiency, but they are also increased in pregnancy and with the use of oral contraceptives. A low TIBC, UIBC, or transferrin may also occur if someone has malnutrition, inflammation, liver disease, or nephrotic syndrome.
What kind of protein is transferrin?
Transferrin (Tf), a glycoprotein of 79.5 kDa, contains two homologous iron-binding domains, each of which binds one Fe3+. Transferrin transports iron in the blood stream and delivers it to various tissues, after binding to a specific receptor (TfR) on the cell surface.
Is low transferrin bad?
In mild to moderate protein-energy malnutrition, transferrin values may vary, limiting the usefulness of this test. However, markedly low transferrin levels indicate severe protein-energy malnutrition. A value less than 100 mg/dL may be considered a reliable index of severe protein-energy malnutrition.
What should my transferrin level be?
The normal range for transferrin is 204 to 360 mg/dl. If you have a higher amount, you may have iron-deficiency anemia. If you have a lower level, you may have another problem, such as liver disease and hemolytic anemia.
What does transferrin stand for in medical terms?
Any of a family of proteins that are found in the blood serum of humans and other vertebrates and that combine with and transport iron. [trans- + ferr(o)- + -in.] transferrin. (Biochemistry) biochem any of a group of blood glycoproteins that transport iron.
What is the definition of a transferrin glycoprotein?
1. A nonheme β 1-globulin of the plasma, capable of associating reversibly with up to 1.25 mcg iron per gram, and acting therefore as an iron-transporting protein. 2. A glycoprotein, found in mammalian milk (lactoferrin) and egg white (conalbumin, ovotransferrin), that binds and transports iron (Fe3+ ). n.
How is transferrin made and secreted in the body?
The transferrin that circulates the blood is made and secreted by the liver. As previously mentioned, Transferrin can bind two iron ions. This is accomplished thanks its built-in iron (Fe 3+) binding sites which have an extremely high affinity for iron.
What is the function of transferrin in red blood cells?
Like its name indicates, Transferrin transports and transfers iron. In doing so, this chelation will reduce levels of free iron which has the essential function of preventing secondary radical oxidative stress. While iron does help red blood cells carry oxygen, hemoglobin is the molecule that transports oxygen. 2.
