Transferrin is a protein that transports iron in the blood and delivers it to cells. While ferritin is a protein that stores iron, primarily in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow.
Serum Iron properties
Serum iron measures the amount of iron circulating in the bloodstream that is bound to transferrin.
It reflects the amount of iron that is immediately available for use by tissues and cells.
Expressed in micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL) or micrograms per milliliter (mcg/mL).
Low levels may indicate iron deficiency, while high levels could suggest iron overload.
S. Iron normal range: 60-170 micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL)
Serum Ferritinproperties
It serves as a reservoir of iron and releases it into the bloodstream when needed.
Expressed in nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL).
Elevated levels may indicate inflammation, while low levels are associated with iron deficiency.
Serum ferritin normal range.
Women: 11-307 ng/mL
Men: 24-336 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL)
Transferrin properties
It binds to iron and helps regulate its distribution in the body.
Expressed as a percentage of saturation or total iron-binding capacity.
Low transferrin saturation may suggest iron deficiency, while high levels can be seen in conditions like hemochromatosis.
Normal range of transferrin:
Total Iron-Binding Capacity (TIBC): 240-450 mcg/dL
TIBC lab test (Total iron binding capacity) is a clinical lab test that measures the amount of iron that can be bound to the protein transferrin in your blood. Transferrin is a protein that carries iron in the bloodstream. Tibc lab test is typically measured in micro-grams of iron per…