Soluble Transferrin Receptor
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A soluble transferrin receptor test measures the amount of soluble transferrin receptors in the blood using a blood sample taken from a vein in the arm. It is used to help detect and evaluate iron deficiency and to support the diagnosis of types of anaemia, particularly when other iron tests are inconclusive.
Why get tested?
To detect iron deficiency anaemia and distinguish it from anaemia caused by chronic illness or inflammation
When to get tested?
When iron deficiency anaemia is suspected
Sample required?
A blood sample drawn from a vein in your arm
Test preparation needed?
None
What is being tested?
Soluble transferrin receptors (sTfR) are proteins found in blood that can become elevated in the presence of iron-deficiency. This test measures the amount of soluble transferrin receptors within the blood, to help detect and evaluate iron deficiency and aid in the diagnosis of iron deficiency anaemia.
Iron is an essential nutrient absorbed from the diet. Transferrin is the main protein in the blood that binds to iron and carries it to tissues and cells throughout the body. About 80% of iron is transported to the bone marrow, where it is incorporated into the haemoglobin in red blood cells (RBCs), and the rest is stored in other cells and tissues as ferritin and haemosiderin.
When transferrin binds to iron, they form a complex. These complexes bind to transferrin receptors found on the surface of cells and the iron is then transported into the cells. Transferrin receptors are cleaved from the surface of cells, enter the bloodstream, and become soluble transferrin receptors (sTfR).
The number of transferrin receptors found on the surface of cells correlates with the concentration of iron within cells. When the iron level drops, the cells produce more transferrin receptors. As more receptors are produced, more are cleaved from cell surfaces and enter the blood, increasing the concentration of soluble transferrin receptors. Thus, measuring the amount of sTfR’s within the bloodstream is one way of evaluating the amount of iron available in the body.
Red blood cells have a lifespan of about 120 days. Because of this, the bone marrow must continually produce new RBCs. If there is insufficient iron taken in through the diet and/or increased iron loss (e.g., bleeding), iron reserve stored in the body is decreased. Over time, this can lead to iron deficiency, as the amount of iron stored within the body becomes exhausted and the demand for iron exceeds the supply. As a result, fewer RBCs are produced and those newly formed RBCs are also smaller (microcytic) and contain less haemoglobin (hypochromic). This is a condition called iron deficiency anaemia.
Usually, a ferritin blood test is used to evaluate the amount of iron reserve in the body and to help diagnose iron-deficiency anaemia. However, the concentration of ferritin within the blood can be elevated when an individual has inflammation or a chronic disease, such as autoimmune disorders or some cancers. In these conditions, the ferritin test is not useful and a test for soluble transferrin receptors may be requested by your doctor.
How is the sample collected for testing?
A blood sample is obtained by inserting a needle into a vein in the arm.
Is any test preparation needed to ensure the quality of the sample?
No test preparation is needed.
Common questions
The soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) blood test is primarily requested to help distinguish between anaemia that is caused by iron deficiency and anaemia that is caused by inflammation or a chronic illness (so-called anaemia of chronic disease or inflammation). It is not a routine blood test but may be requested if other tests that evaluate the amount of iron in the body do not provide a doctor with conclusive information.
Typically, a group of iron blood tests are requested to evaluate iron availability if a person has anaemia and/or if iron deficiency is suspected. These tests may include iron, transferrin, TIBC (total iron-binding capacity, which is either measured or calculated based on the concentration of transferrin), transferrin saturation (calculated using the concentration of iron and TIBC), and ferritin.
Ferritin is usually the preferred blood test to evaluate stored iron, but it is an acute phase reactant, which means that it may be increased in the presence of inflammation or with chronic diseases such as autoimmune disorders, some cancers, and chronic infections. In these cases, ferritin may not be a good measure of stored iron. Since sTfR is not an acute phase reactant, it may be requested as an alternative to ferritin if a chronic illness is present or suspected e.g. arthritis.
The soluble transferrin receptor blood test is not routine but may be requested along with or in follow up to other iron tests when a person has symptoms of anaemia such as:
- Weakness, fatigue
- Lack of energy
- Paleness
This test may also be requested when a full blood count (FBC) shows decreased haemoglobin and small red blood cells (low MCV).
It may be requested when a person has a normal or near normal ferritin concentration, but iron deficiency is still suspected. It may be requested as an alternative to ferritin when a person has a chronic illness and/or inflammation is present or suspected.
The concentration of soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) will be increased with iron deficiency. If the sTfR concentration is elevated in someone with anaemia, then it is likely that the person has iron deficiency anaemia. If the result is within the normal range, then it is more likely that the person’s anaemia is due to another cause, such as chronic disease or inflammation.
A decreasing sTfR concentration indicates an increase in iron reserve in a person being treated with iron supplements. A low sTfR result may be seen in haemochromatosis (a condition associated with iron overload), but the test is not usually used to monitor this condition.
Those of African American descent may have moderately increased sTfR concentrations, as may those who live at altitude.
Testing may not be useful in those who have inherited disorders that affect haemoglobin production or function, such as thalassaemia or sickle cell anaemia. Test results may be elevated in those with red blood cell breakage (haemolysis) or recent blood loss and will not be accurate in those who have had a recent blood transfusion.
An elevated sTfR concentration is not as specific for iron deficiency as is, for example, a very low concentration of ferritin.
When a person is not iron deficient, the amount of sTfR present in the blood reflects the rate of red blood cell production by the bone marrow. Soluble transferrin receptor testing is not routinely performed to evaluate this process.
A single iron test does not give a doctor the full picture of the amount of iron that a person has stored and available. It is usually necessary to evaluate the results of several related iron tests together. Ferritin is usually the preferred test to evaluate stored iron, but it is an acute phase reactant, meaning that it may be increased with inflammation or chronic diseases. In these cases, ferritin may not be a good measure of stored iron. The soluble transferrin receptor test is not a routinely requested test, but since it is not an acute phase reactant, it may be requested as an alternative to ferritin to evaluate stored iron when a chronic illness is present or suspected.
Yes, as early deficiency will usually not cause any symptoms and when symptoms do emerge, they may be mild or nonspecific enough – such as fatigue – that they are attributed to something else.
No. Testing requires specialised equipment and is not offered by every laboratory. Your test may be sent to a reference laboratory (an accredited laboratory that provides specialist testing and interpretation).
Test methods and reference (normal) ranges for sTfR will vary slightly from laboratory to laboratory. Your doctor may prefer to send your samples to the same laboratory to make results more directly comparable.
You should consult with your doctor first. If you are anaemic and/or at risk of anaemia, then supplements may be useful. Excess iron in the body can cause health problems.