What is the Difference Between Ferritin and Transferrin

Ferritin is stored in the body's cells until it's time to make more red blood cells. The body will signal the cells to release ferritin. The ferritin then binds to another substance called transferrin. Transferrin is a protein that combines with ferritin to transport it to where new red blood cells are made.

1. What is the difference between serum ferritin and transferrin?
2. What does transferrin level mean?
3. What is the role of transferrin?
4. Does ferritin bind to transferrin?
5. What does low iron but normal ferritin mean?
6. What is normal serum ferritin level?
7. What happens if transferrin saturation is low?
8. What does a high transferrin level mean?
9. What is a high transferrin level?
10. What is a normal transferrin level?
11. Where is transferrin stored?
12. What causes low transferrin levels?

What is the difference between serum ferritin and transferrin?

transferrin - measures levels of the iron carrier; total iron binding capacity (TIBC) - measures the transferrin capacity to bind iron; serum ferritin - measures the body's ability to store iron.

What does transferrin level mean?

The normal range for transferrin is 170 to 370 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. Transferrin may also be measured using a value called total iron-binding capacity (TIBC).

What is the role of transferrin?

Transferrin is a blood-plasma glycoprotein, which plays a central role in iron metabolism and is responsible for ferric-ion delivery. Transferrin functions as the most critical ferric pool in the body. It transports iron through the blood to various tissues such as the liver, spleen and bone marrow.

Does ferritin bind to transferrin?

Iron in the labile pool that exceeds requirement for the synthesis of functional heme and nonheme iron-containing proteins is stored within the iron-storage protein, ferritin. ... Such a binding inhibits translation of ferritin mRNA and stabilizes the mRNA for transferrin receptors.

What does low iron but normal ferritin mean?

A lower-than-normal ferritin level can indicate that you have an iron deficiency, which can happen when you don't consume enough iron in your daily diet. Another condition that affects iron levels is anemia, which is when you don't have enough red blood cells for iron to attach to.

What is normal serum ferritin level?

The normal range for ferritin in your blood serum is: 20 to 250 ng/mL for adult males. 10 to 120 ng/mL for adult females, 18 to 39 years. 12 to 263 ng/mL for females, 40 years and older.

What happens if transferrin saturation is low?

Transferrin saturations of less than 20% indicate iron deficiency, while transferrin saturations of more than 50% suggest iron overload. Iron tests frequently performed together to diagnose iron deficiency or overload include serum iron, ferritin, IBC, and transferrin levels.

What does a high transferrin level mean?

High transferrin means the liver is producing more of the protein to use all the iron available in the body. Low transferrin level means the body is absorbing more iron then needed. The results of a typical transferrin test are reported in micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL).

What is a high transferrin level?

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 is a normal transferrin level?

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.

Where is transferrin stored?

3.2.

Transferrin is a protein synthesized almost exclusively in the liver and is secreted into the blood. It is the principal transport protein for iron throughout the body and delivers approximately 70% to the bone marrow for incorporation into hemoglobin within RBCs. The remainder is stored in the tissue.

What causes low transferrin levels?

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. Many conditions including infection and malignancy can depress transferrin levels. The transferrin is abnormally high in iron deficiency anemia.