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Transferrin

Siderophilin

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB5796, Beaker: TRANS, Antrim: 15494

Department

Chemistry

Specimen Collection Criteria

FOR EC AND INPATIENT SAMPLE COLLECTION ONLY:

Preferred Sample:  One Light Green (Mint) Top or Dark Green with Yellow Ring Plasma Separator Tube (PST). Minimum Whole Blood: 4.0 mL 

Acceptable Sample:  One Gold Top SST (Minimum Whole Blood: 4.0 mL) 

FOR PHYSICIAN OFFICE/OUTREACH SAMPLE COLLECTION:

COLLECT:  One Gold Top SST (Minimum Whole Blood:  4.0 mL) 

Contact Laboratory for acceptability of other tube types.
See Minimum Pediatric Specimen Requirements for Microtainer^® collection.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Let specimen clot 30-60 minutes then immediately centrifuge to separate serum from cells. Refrigerate (2-8°C or 36-46°F) the centrifuged collection tube within twelve hours of collection.

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: Centrifuged collection tube, refrigerated (2-8 °C or 36-46 °F). (Minimum: 0.5 mL)

Rejection Criteria

• Grossly lipemic specimens.
• Hemolyzed specimens.
• Plasma specimens.

In-Lab Processing

Let specimen clot 30-60 minutes then immediately centrifuge to separate serum from cells. Deliver immediately to the appropriate testing station.

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Centrifuged SST Tubes and Microtainers^® with Separator Gel
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 12 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable

Red-top Tubes and Microtainers^® without Separator Gel
Room Temperature (20-25°C or 68-77°F): 12 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): Unacceptable
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable

Serum Specimens (Pour-Overs)
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 12 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 3 months

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days

Laboratory

Dearborn Chemistry Laboratory
Farmington Hills Chemistry Laboratory 
Grosse Pointe Chemistry Laboratory 
Royal Oak Automated Chemistry Laboratory 
Troy Chemistry Laboratory

Performed

Sunday – Saturday, 24 hours a day.
Results available within 24 hours.

Reference Range

163-382 mg/dL.

Test Methodology

Immunoturbidimetric.

Interpretation

• Serum transferrin levels as high as 700 mg/dL have been seen in patients with severe iron deficiency. Serum transferrin levels as low as 40 mg/dL can be seen in protein losing states such as nephrotic syndrome.
• Half Life in Blood: Approximately 8 days.

Clinical Utility

• Transferrin functions as the principal plasma protein responsible for the transport of iron. Transferrin binds and transports iron and serves as a negative acute phase reactant (levels decrease during inflammatory processes). Transferrin levels in serum aid in the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia, malnutrition, acute inflammation, infection, assessment of renal function, and red blood cell disorders.
• Serum transferrin concentration increases in iron deficiency anemia, pregnancy, and patients taking estrogens.
• Decreased transferrin levels are associated with chronic infections, malignancy, iron overload, hemolytic anemia, hemochromatosis, sickle cell disease, atransferrinemia, renal disease, and hepatic failure.
• Atransferrinemia is a rare congenital disorder. Patients with this disorder have very low levels of plasma transferrin. They also have iron overload and severe anemia that results from their inability to mobilize the body's iron stores.

CPT Codes

84466

Contacts

Last Updated

10/23/2023