Sample stability:
-
3 days at 15-25 o C
-
7 days at 2-8 o C
-
4 weeks at -20 o C
Units: mg/L
Male : 2.2 - 5.0
Female : 1.9 - 4.4
Uncertainty of Measurement: 0.3mg/L at level of < 2.0 mg/L
4% at level of 5 mg/L and higher
Principle: Tinaquant
Assay: Roche
Analyser: Roche c502
1. Iron Deficiency:
The soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) concentration is increased in iron deficiency. The developing red cells regulate their iron uptake by increasing the number of transferrin receptors on their surface, and the number of sTfR in serum increases in parallel.
2. Anaemia of chronic disease (ACD)
sTfR measurement may be useful for differentiating anaemia caused by iron deficiency from ACD.
ACD can be found in inflammatory conditions including infection, autoimmune disorders and cancer. The pathogenesis of ACD is complex. ACD may be associated with normal sTfR levels. However, a functional Fe deficiency may develop due to failure to release iron from stores, accompanied by increased STfR levels.
It has been suggested that a trial of iron supplementation therapy could be considered in ACD patients if the sTfR level is raised (ref 1).
3. Other Conditions:
An increase in sTfR may be found in conditions where there is ineffective erythropoiesis, such as myelodysplastic syndromes, or in any condition where there is an increase in erythropoietic activity. This is due to an increase in erythropoietic progenitor cells, which have a high concentration of cell surface transferrin receptors.
The increase is usually minimal when associated with thalassaemia, autoimmune haemolytic anaemia, hereditary spherocytosis, sickle cell anaemia (with associated hypersplenism), megaloblastic anaemia, or secondary polycythaemia, but may be up to twice normal concentration in myeloproliferative disorders. These conditions are identifiable by using other haematological tests.
Conversely, sTfR concentration may decrease in aplastic anaemia, or any other condition where erythropoietic activity is reduced.
References
Chang J, Bird R, Clague A, Carter A. Clinical utility of serum soluble transferrin receptor levels and comparison with bone marrow iron stores as an index for iron-deficient erythropoiesis in a heterogeneous group of patients. Pathology. 2007;39:349-353
Emails to chemicalpathologist@adhb.govt.nz will receive priority attention from the on-call chemical pathologist.
If the query concerns a specific patient please include the NHI number in your email.
If email is not a suitable option, please contact the on-call chemical pathologist via Lablink (Auckland City Hospital ext. 22000 or 09-3078995).
Individual chemical pathologists may be contacted but will not be available at all times.
After-hours : contact Lablink (Auckland City Hospital ext. 22000 or 09-3078995) or hospital operator for on duty staff after hours.
Dr Samarina Musaad (Clinical Lead) : SamarinaM@adhb.govt.nz ext. 22402
Dr Cam Kyle: CampbellK@adhb.govt.nz ext 22052
Dr Weldon Chiu: WeldonC@adhb.govt.nz ext. 23427
Dr Campbell Heron: CHeron@adhb.govt.nz ext. 23427
Send either separated SST tube, or at least 300uL serum/plasma. Transport at 4 o C.