Transferrin
Transferrin
Transferrin is a protein that transports iron through the bloodstream to where it’s needed.
Transferrin is a protein that transports iron through the bloodstream to where it’s needed.
Transferrin
Normal range
Normal range
2.0-3.8 g/L
2.0-3.8 g/L
Normal range
2.0-3.8 g/L
2.0-3.8 g/L
Normal range
Transferrin
Transferrin
Transferrin is a protein that transports iron through the bloodstream to where it’s needed.
Transferrin
Normal range
2.0-3.8 g/L
Normal range
2.0-3.8 g/L
2.0-3.8 g/L
Normal range
Transferrin
Transferrin
Transferrin is a protein that transports iron through the bloodstream to where it’s needed.
Transferrin
Normal range
2.0-3.8 g/L
Normal range
2.0-3.8 g/L
2.0-3.8 g/L
Normal range
Transferrin
Dr. Yiannis Balanos
MBBS MRCGP
The Iron Transport System
The Iron Transport System
Transferrin is your body's iron taxi service—a protein that carries iron through your bloodstream to wherever it's needed. When transferrin levels are disrupted, they reveal important information about your iron status, liver function, and overall health. Unlike other iron markers that show what you have stored, transferrin shows how well your body is managing iron transport and utilisation.
Transferrin is your body's iron taxi service—a protein that carries iron through your bloodstream to wherever it's needed. When transferrin levels are disrupted, they reveal important information about your iron status, liver function, and overall health. Unlike other iron markers that show what you have stored, transferrin shows how well your body is managing iron transport and utilisation.
When Your Iron Transport System Struggles
When Your Iron Transport System Struggles
When Your Iron Transport System Struggles
Discover what low transferrin levels reveal about liver function, nutrition, and chronic health conditions.
Read more
When Your Iron Transport System Overcompensates
When Your Iron Transport System Overcompensates
When Your Iron Transport System Overcompensates
Learn why high transferrin levels signal iron deficiency and what symptoms to watch for.
Read more
What Influences Your Transferrin Levels
What Influences Your Transferrin Levels
What Influences Your Transferrin Levels
Learn about the conditions, dietary factors, and health issues that can alter your body's iron transport capacity.
Read more
Understanding Your Results
Understanding Your Results
Understanding Your Results
Decode your transferrin numbers and know what they mean for your iron status and overall health.
Read more
When Your Iron Transport System Struggles
Low transferrin levels often signal that your body is struggling with protein production or dealing with chronic health issues. Since transferrin is manufactured in the liver, low levels can indicate liver problems, malnutrition, or chronic disease affecting your body's ability to produce this essential transport protein.
You might feel persistently tired and weak, though these symptoms often relate to the underlying condition causing low transferrin rather than the low transferrin itself. Signs may include poor wound healing, muscle wasting, fluid retention, or other symptoms associated with liver disease or malnutrition.
You may be at higher risk for low transferrin if you have liver disease, chronic kidney disease, chronic inflammatory conditions, malnutrition, or experience prolonged illness.
When Your Iron Transport System Struggles
Low transferrin levels often signal that your body is struggling with protein production or dealing with chronic health issues. Since transferrin is manufactured in the liver, low levels can indicate liver problems, malnutrition, or chronic disease affecting your body's ability to produce this essential transport protein.
You might feel persistently tired and weak, though these symptoms often relate to the underlying condition causing low transferrin rather than the low transferrin itself. Signs may include poor wound healing, muscle wasting, fluid retention, or other symptoms associated with liver disease or malnutrition.
You may be at higher risk for low transferrin if you have liver disease, chronic kidney disease, chronic inflammatory conditions, malnutrition, or experience prolonged illness.
When Your Iron Transport System Struggles
Low transferrin levels often signal that your body is struggling with protein production or dealing with chronic health issues. Since transferrin is manufactured in the liver, low levels can indicate liver problems, malnutrition, or chronic disease affecting your body's ability to produce this essential transport protein.
You might feel persistently tired and weak, though these symptoms often relate to the underlying condition causing low transferrin rather than the low transferrin itself. Signs may include poor wound healing, muscle wasting, fluid retention, or other symptoms associated with liver disease or malnutrition.
You may be at higher risk for low transferrin if you have liver disease, chronic kidney disease, chronic inflammatory conditions, malnutrition, or experience prolonged illness.
When Your Iron Transport System Overcompensates
High transferrin most commonly results from iron deficiency—your body produces more transferrin to try to capture and transport whatever iron is available. Think of it as your body sending out more taxis when passengers (iron) are scarce.
You might feel persistently tired, weak, or short of breath during activities that used to feel manageable. Early signs include fatigue that doesn't improve with rest, brain fog, difficulty concentrating, cold hands and feet, restless leg syndrome, and brittle nails. As iron availability continues to drop, you may experience rapid heartbeat, reduced exercise tolerance, pale skin, and sometimes unusual cravings for ice or non-food items.
When Your Iron Transport System Overcompensates
High transferrin most commonly results from iron deficiency—your body produces more transferrin to try to capture and transport whatever iron is available. Think of it as your body sending out more taxis when passengers (iron) are scarce.
You might feel persistently tired, weak, or short of breath during activities that used to feel manageable. Early signs include fatigue that doesn't improve with rest, brain fog, difficulty concentrating, cold hands and feet, restless leg syndrome, and brittle nails. As iron availability continues to drop, you may experience rapid heartbeat, reduced exercise tolerance, pale skin, and sometimes unusual cravings for ice or non-food items.
When Your Iron Transport System Overcompensates
High transferrin most commonly results from iron deficiency—your body produces more transferrin to try to capture and transport whatever iron is available. Think of it as your body sending out more taxis when passengers (iron) are scarce.
You might feel persistently tired, weak, or short of breath during activities that used to feel manageable. Early signs include fatigue that doesn't improve with rest, brain fog, difficulty concentrating, cold hands and feet, restless leg syndrome, and brittle nails. As iron availability continues to drop, you may experience rapid heartbeat, reduced exercise tolerance, pale skin, and sometimes unusual cravings for ice or non-food items.
What Influences Your Transferrin Levels
Factors that decrease transferrin include liver disease that impairs protein production, chronic kidney disease, chronic inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease, malnutrition or severe protein deficiency, and certain genetic conditions affecting transferrin production.
Factors that increase transferrin include inadequate dietary iron intake, heavy menstrual periods or other blood loss, poor iron absorption due to digestive disorders like coeliac disease or inflammatory bowel disease, pregnancy and breastfeeding, vegetarian or vegan diets without proper iron intake, and certain medications such as antacids or proton pump inhibitors.
You may be at higher risk for elevated transferrin if you're a woman with heavy menstrual periods, follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, are pregnant, have digestive disorders affecting iron absorption, or take medications that affect iron absorption.
What Influences Your Transferrin Levels
Factors that decrease transferrin include liver disease that impairs protein production, chronic kidney disease, chronic inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease, malnutrition or severe protein deficiency, and certain genetic conditions affecting transferrin production.
Factors that increase transferrin include inadequate dietary iron intake, heavy menstrual periods or other blood loss, poor iron absorption due to digestive disorders like coeliac disease or inflammatory bowel disease, pregnancy and breastfeeding, vegetarian or vegan diets without proper iron intake, and certain medications such as antacids or proton pump inhibitors.
You may be at higher risk for elevated transferrin if you're a woman with heavy menstrual periods, follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, are pregnant, have digestive disorders affecting iron absorption, or take medications that affect iron absorption.
What Influences Your Transferrin Levels
Factors that decrease transferrin include liver disease that impairs protein production, chronic kidney disease, chronic inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease, malnutrition or severe protein deficiency, and certain genetic conditions affecting transferrin production.
Factors that increase transferrin include inadequate dietary iron intake, heavy menstrual periods or other blood loss, poor iron absorption due to digestive disorders like coeliac disease or inflammatory bowel disease, pregnancy and breastfeeding, vegetarian or vegan diets without proper iron intake, and certain medications such as antacids or proton pump inhibitors.
You may be at higher risk for elevated transferrin if you're a woman with heavy menstrual periods, follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, are pregnant, have digestive disorders affecting iron absorption, or take medications that affect iron absorption.
Understanding Your Results
Transferrin levels are measured in grams per litre (g/L) and should be interpreted alongside other iron studies including transferrin saturation, serum iron, and ferritin to provide a complete picture of your iron status. A full blood count will also show if there are any signs of anaemia (low Haemoglobin) caused by low iron.
Normal Range: 2.0-3.8 g/L
Under normal conditions, transferrin is approximately one-third saturated with iron, leaving two-thirds of its capacity in reserve. This combination of transferrin levels and transferrin saturation provides a clearer picture of your iron status than either test alone.
Understanding Your Results
Transferrin levels are measured in grams per litre (g/L) and should be interpreted alongside other iron studies including transferrin saturation, serum iron, and ferritin to provide a complete picture of your iron status. A full blood count will also show if there are any signs of anaemia (low Haemoglobin) caused by low iron.
Normal Range: 2.0-3.8 g/L
Under normal conditions, transferrin is approximately one-third saturated with iron, leaving two-thirds of its capacity in reserve. This combination of transferrin levels and transferrin saturation provides a clearer picture of your iron status than either test alone.
Understanding Your Results
Transferrin levels are measured in grams per litre (g/L) and should be interpreted alongside other iron studies including transferrin saturation, serum iron, and ferritin to provide a complete picture of your iron status. A full blood count will also show if there are any signs of anaemia (low Haemoglobin) caused by low iron.
Normal Range: 2.0-3.8 g/L
Under normal conditions, transferrin is approximately one-third saturated with iron, leaving two-thirds of its capacity in reserve. This combination of transferrin levels and transferrin saturation provides a clearer picture of your iron status than either test alone.
The Takeaway
Transferrin acts as a messenger about your iron transport system and overall health. High levels usually point to iron deficiency that needs addressing, whilst low levels often indicate liver problems, malnutrition, or chronic disease requiring attention.
Iron deficiency typically improves with dietary changes, supplements, or treating underlying causes that have led to it. Low transferrin requires addressing the underlying condition affecting protein production, whether that's liver disease, malnutrition, or chronic illness.
Don't dismiss persistent fatigue, particularly if you have risk factors like heavy periods, dietary restrictions, liver disease, or chronic health conditions. A comprehensive iron study including transferrin can reveal whether your symptoms might be related to iron transport problems and guide appropriate treatment.
The Takeaway
Transferrin acts as a messenger about your iron transport system and overall health. High levels usually point to iron deficiency that needs addressing, whilst low levels often indicate liver problems, malnutrition, or chronic disease requiring attention.
Iron deficiency typically improves with dietary changes, supplements, or treating underlying causes that have led to it. Low transferrin requires addressing the underlying condition affecting protein production, whether that's liver disease, malnutrition, or chronic illness.
Don't dismiss persistent fatigue, particularly if you have risk factors like heavy periods, dietary restrictions, liver disease, or chronic health conditions. A comprehensive iron study including transferrin can reveal whether your symptoms might be related to iron transport problems and guide appropriate treatment.
The Takeaway
Transferrin acts as a messenger about your iron transport system and overall health. High levels usually point to iron deficiency that needs addressing, whilst low levels often indicate liver problems, malnutrition, or chronic disease requiring attention.
Iron deficiency typically improves with dietary changes, supplements, or treating underlying causes that have led to it. Low transferrin requires addressing the underlying condition affecting protein production, whether that's liver disease, malnutrition, or chronic illness.
Don't dismiss persistent fatigue, particularly if you have risk factors like heavy periods, dietary restrictions, liver disease, or chronic health conditions. A comprehensive iron study including transferrin can reveal whether your symptoms might be related to iron transport problems and guide appropriate treatment.
References
British Society for Haematology. (2021). Guidelines for the investigation and management of iron deficiency anaemia. British Journal of Haematology.
World Health Organization. (2020). WHO guideline on use of ferritin concentrations to assess iron status in individuals and populations. Geneva: World Health Organization.
European Association for the Study of the Liver. (2022). EASL Clinical Practice Guidelines on haemochromatosis. Journal of Hepatology.
NICE. (2021). Anaemia - iron deficiency. Clinical Knowledge Summary. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
References
British Society for Haematology. (2021). Guidelines for the investigation and management of iron deficiency anaemia. British Journal of Haematology.
World Health Organization. (2020). WHO guideline on use of ferritin concentrations to assess iron status in individuals and populations. Geneva: World Health Organization.
European Association for the Study of the Liver. (2022). EASL Clinical Practice Guidelines on haemochromatosis. Journal of Hepatology.
NICE. (2021). Anaemia - iron deficiency. Clinical Knowledge Summary. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
References
British Society for Haematology. (2021). Guidelines for the investigation and management of iron deficiency anaemia. British Journal of Haematology.
World Health Organization. (2020). WHO guideline on use of ferritin concentrations to assess iron status in individuals and populations. Geneva: World Health Organization.
European Association for the Study of the Liver. (2022). EASL Clinical Practice Guidelines on haemochromatosis. Journal of Hepatology.
NICE. (2021). Anaemia - iron deficiency. Clinical Knowledge Summary. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
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