The transferrin-bound iron complex turnover rate is about ten times a day, which is essential to meet the daily demands of erythropoiesis 8). All plasma iron is bound to transferrin 7). Lactotransferrin has antioxidants, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Mucosal epithelial cells produce lactotransferrin seen in bodily secretions such as milk. Hepatocytes produce serum transferrin found in the serum, CSF, and semen. Transferrin divides into subgroups these are serum transferrin, lactotransferrin, and melanotransferrin 6). It may be helpful when used in conjunction with ferritin and soluble transferrin receptor testing, especially in patients with inflammation. Measurement of serum iron, iron-binding capacity, and percent transferrin saturation should not be used as the primary test for iron deficiency.
In advanced iron overload states, the percent transferrin saturation often exceeds 90%. In hereditary hemochromatosis, serum iron is usually above 150 mcg/dL and percent transferrin saturation exceeds 60%. Although serum iron, total iron-binding capacity and percent transferrin saturation are widely used for the diagnosis of iron deficiency, serum ferritin is a much more sensitive and reliable means of demonstrating iron deficiency. Serum iron, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) and percent transferrin saturation are useful only in screening for chronic iron overload diseases, particularly hereditary hemochromatosis. Total or Transferrin iron binding capacity (TIBC) is a test which measures the blood capacity to bind iron with transferrin. Ferritin is the first marker to become low, therefore more sensitive than transferrin in diagnosing Iron deficiency anemia 5). Transferrin saturation levels cannot be solely read in isolation but in conjunction with other laboratory tests such as serum ferritin and TIBC. Transferrin level testing is used to determine the cause of anemia, examine iron metabolism and determine the iron-carrying capacity of the blood 4). Transferrin can be used to assess the iron level in the body along with other markers in the body. An acidic environment of Ph5.6 reduces iron-transferrin affinity, which encourages the release of iron from its binding site and endocytosed into a cell 3). Clathrin/receptor-mediated endocytosis mediates the uptake of iron by transferrin receptors 2). The carbonate needed also serves as a ligand to stabilize iron in the binding site of transferrin. Transferrin can bind to two atoms of ferric iron (Fe3+) with high affinity. A carbonate has to be present to help attract iron to transferrin by creating opposing repulsive charges.
Iron circulates in the plasma until it attaches to a transferrin receptor on a target cell.
Transferrin is a free peptide (apotransferin) that undergoes a conformation change after binding with iron. Transferrin is an essential biochemical marker of body iron status. Transferrin transports iron through the blood to various tissues such as the liver, spleen and bone marrow. Transferrin functions as the most critical ferric pool in the body. Transferrin saturation calculation (%) = x 100.
Transferrin saturation is calculated as follows: Transferrin saturation is helpful to find the cause of abnormal iron and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) level.
This similar estimate is usually called the transferrin index. Less commonly, the iron concentration may be divided by the transferrin concentration, not the total iron-binding capacity (TIBC). This means that about two-thirds of its capacity is held in reserve. Under normal conditions, transferrin is typically one-third saturated with iron. Transferrin saturation is calculated by dividing the iron concentration by the total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) produces an estimate of how many of transferrin iron-binding sites are occupied this is called the transferrin saturation. Transferrin saturation is the percentage of transferrin and other iron binding proteins. This is called the total iron binding capacity (TIBC). Alternatively, transferrin may be measured indirectly (or converted by calculation) so that its level is expressed as the amount of iron it is capable of binding. A transferrin test directly measures the transferrin level in your blood. Transferrin is the main protein in the blood that binds to iron and transports it throughout the body. Transferrin plays a central role in iron metabolism and is responsible for ferric (Fe3+) iron delivery 1). Transferrin is a blood-plasma glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 79570 daltons and transferrin is the iron transport protein in serum.