Insight into your transferrin level.
Transferrin is the protein that carries iron through your blood. The value says something about your body's demand for iron and, together with ferritin and serum iron, forms the picture of your iron status.
Also known as: iron transport protein, TIBC, iron binding capacity
Personal assessment by our BIG-registered doctors
How Bloodworks works
Order online
Choose your package and preferred location
Receive your lab form
Within 24 hours by email, with appointment planner
Schedule your blood draw
Or choose a walk-in location
Blood draw
Takes just a few minutes
Receive your report
Securely, typically within 2 working days from our physicians
Background
What is transferrin?
Transferrin is a protein produced by the liver that carries iron through the blood, from absorption in the gut and from the stores to where it is needed, including the bone marrow for the production of red blood cells. When the body has a greater demand for iron, the liver generally produces more transferrin. The transferrin value therefore says something different from ferritin: not how large the store is, but how much transport capacity is available.
Two concepts around transferrin are often confused. The total iron binding capacity (TIBC) expresses how much iron the blood can bind in total and in practice largely follows the transferrin value. Transferrin saturation (TSAT) is a calculation indicating which part of that capacity is actually occupied by iron; besides transferrin, a serum iron is needed for it. If you want that complete picture, the Iron panel is the logical choice, because it determines ferritin, iron, transferrin, TIBC and the saturation together.
In brief
Transport
Carries iron through the blood to where it is needed
From the liver
The liver adjusts production to the demand for iron
Capacity, not store
Ferritin reflects the store, transferrin the transport
Basis for TSAT
The saturation is calculated with serum iron included
This marker is also included in
Testing several values in a single draw takes one blood collection and gives a more complete picture. The choice is yours.
Common reasons to test
When can insight into your Transferrin be valuable?
Below are some situations in which measuring Transferrin can provide insight.
Insight into your iron transport
A test shows how much transport protein your body has available, as a complement to ferritin and serum iron.
When ferritin is hard to interpret
Ferritin also rises with inflammation. Transferrin responds differently and therefore helps in interpreting a ferritin value.
With persistent fatigue
For questions about iron status, transferrin gives context alongside the stores and the circulating iron.
For athletes
Endurance athletes follow their iron status more often. Transferrin belongs to the broader picture alongside ferritin and haemoglobin.
With blood loss or donation
Regular blood loss asks more of iron transport. A test gives insight into your current value.
Tracking the effect of supplementation
If you take iron supplements, your iron status can be followed over time. Always test under comparable conditions.
What your result means
Transferrin too high or too low: what does your result mean?
Transferrin is measured in grams per litre (g/L). The laboratory states the reference values that apply there alongside your result. Transferrin can rarely be interpreted on its own: the value acquires meaning alongside ferritin and serum iron, and in the calculated saturation.
A low value
A low transferrin fits with situations in which the liver produces less protein or in which inflammation plays a role, and it occurs with ample iron stores. A low value on its own is not a diagnosis. Our doctor assesses the value together with your ferritin and serum iron and explains whether further investigation is customary.
A normal value
A transferrin within the laboratory's reference values gives a reassuring picture for this marker at this moment. A normal value does not rule out iron deficiency: ferritin is the marker that reflects the stores and gives additional insight into that.
An elevated value
An elevated transferrin means the body is making more transport capacity available. That pattern is often seen when the iron store is low, and it also occurs in pregnancy and with the use of oestrogen-containing medication. A single measurement is not a diagnosis. Our doctor explains what your value means in combination with your other iron values and whether follow-up via your GP is customary.
How we interpret your result
Our doctors interpret your transferrin against the laboratory's reference values and your personal context, such as diet, supplements, blood loss, pregnancy, medication use and any known conditions.
Related tests
Often combined with Transferrin.
A single marker gives one perspective. For a broader picture you can combine Transferrin with a theme package or related markers.
+ €29 blood draw fee per orderFree from €225
Frequently asked questions
Everything you want to know
Is transferrin the same as iron binding capacity (TIBC)?
Not exactly. Transferrin is the protein itself, TIBC expresses how much iron the blood can bind in total. Because virtually all of that binding capacity comes from transferrin, the two values move together in practice and are used interchangeably. This page sells the transferrin determination; if you want TIBC and the saturation explicitly on your report, choose the Iron panel.
What is transferrin saturation (TSAT)?
The saturation indicates which part of the transport capacity is occupied by iron. It is a calculation for which a serum iron is needed alongside transferrin. If you order transferrin on its own, that saturation cannot be calculated. In the Iron panel it is included as standard.
What is the difference from ferritin?
Ferritin reflects the iron stores in your body and is usually the most important marker for questions about iron deficiency. Transferrin is about transport and often moves in the opposite direction from the stores. Together they give a fuller picture than either does alone.
Do I need to fast for a transferrin test?
Fasting is not strictly required. If transferrin is determined together with serum iron, a draw in the morning before breakfast is advisable, because serum iron fluctuates over the day and rises after a meal or supplement.
Do the pill or pregnancy affect the result?
Yes. Oestrogen-containing medication and pregnancy generally go together with a higher transferrin. That is a known effect and not an abnormality in itself. Mention it during your intake, so our doctor assesses your result in that context.
Does inflammation play a role in this value?
Yes. During inflammation the liver produces less transferrin, while ferritin rises instead. That is exactly why the two values add so much alongside each other, and why an inflammation marker such as CRP often gives useful context.
How often can I have this measured?
A single measurement is enough for initial insight, preferably together with ferritin and iron. If you take supplements or an earlier value was abnormal, re-testing after a few months is customary. Our doctor advises on this.
What do I do with my result?
You receive a PDF report with your value and a personal explanation from a doctor. What you do with it, such as discussing it with your GP, remains entirely your choice.
In the Health Guide
Read more about this value
Ready for insight into your iron transport?
You receive your transferrin level including personal explanation from a doctor, typically within 2 working days. No referral required.
Order Transferrin →Want to test multiple markers at once?
Combine Transferrin with other markers via Bloodworks Select. The blood draw and collection fee is charged once per order, and is waived from €225.
25,-
+ €29 blood draw fee+ €29 blood draw fee per order