Transferrin Meaning
Like ferritin, transferrin is a protein that can bind iron. Just as ferritin binds iron when it is stored in the liver, transferrin binds iron when it is transported through the blood.
If there is iron deficiency, the transferrin value is usually elevated. A reduced transferrin level may indicate iron overload, a protein-deficient diet, or poor liver function. Transferrin may also be elevated during pregnancy and when using oral contraceptives (the pill).
Transferrin Levels in Men and Women: Detailed Explanation
Here you will find an overview of transferrin values in men and women, so you know exactly when your transferrin level is normal, low, or high. This makes it easier to understand what a healthy transferrin value is and when your values may be too low or too high, which could indicate underlying health problems.
- Normal: A transferrin value between 2.1 and 3.43 g/L is considered normal. This indicates a good balance in the body’s iron transport capacity.
- Low: When the transferrin value is below 2 g/L, this is considered abnormal and too low. This may indicate reduced iron transport capacity and should be investigated further in combination with other iron values. Values between 2 and 2.1 g/L are considered “cautionary,” meaning that the transferrin level is at the lower limit of normal.
- High: A transferrin value above 3.43 g/L is at the high end of the normal range. Values between 3.43 and 3.6 g/L are considered “cautionary,” indicating that the transferrin level is at the upper limit of normal. If the value exceeds 3.6 g/L, it is considered abnormal and too high, which may indicate an increased iron requirement or other underlying conditions. Further interpretation is then necessary in conjunction with other values from the iron spectrum.
Transferrin levels in men and women: detailed explanation
| Result | Unit | Value min-max | Age | Gender | Biomarker interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deviant | µg/L | 0 - 2 | 18 - 100 | Man & Woman | The transferrin level is too low. The interpretation depends on the other values in the iron spectrum. |
| Caution | µg/L | 2 - 2.1 | 18 - 100 | Man & Woman | The transferrin level is still within the normal range, but is on the low side. |
| Normal | µg/L | 2.1 - 3.43 | 18 - 100 | Man & Woman | The transferrin level is good. |
| Caution | µg/L | 3.43 - 3.6 | 18 - 100 | Man & Woman | The transferrin level is still within the normal range, but is on the high side. |
| Deviant | µg/L | 3.6 - 10 | 18 - 100 | Man & Woman | The transferrin level is too high. The interpretation depends on the other values in the iron spectrum. |
