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HelpTest Code STFR Soluble Transferrin Receptor (sTfR), Serum
Reporting Name
Soluble Transferrin Receptor (sTfR)Useful For
Evaluation of suspected iron deficiency in patients who may have inflammation, infection, or chronic disease and other conditions in which ferritin concentration does not correlate with iron status, including:
-Cystic fibrosis patients who frequently have inflammation or infections(2-3)
-Evaluating insulin-dependent diabetics who may have iron-deficiency resulting from gastric autoimmunity and atrophic gastritis(4)
Performing Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Specimen Type
SerumSpecimen Required
Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube 5 mL (T914)
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Serum gel tubes should be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection.
2. Red-top tubes should be centrifuged, and the serum aliquoted into a plastic vial within 2 hours of collection.
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.25 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serum | Frozen (preferred) | 90 days | |
| Refrigerated | 7 days | ||
| Ambient | 72 hours |
Reference Values
1.8-4.6 mg/L
It is reported that African Americans may have slightly higher values.
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Sunday
Test Classification
This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.CPT Code Information
84238
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| STFR | Soluble Transferrin Receptor (sTfR) | 30248-9 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| STFR | Soluble Transferrin Receptor (sTfR) | 30248-9 |
Interpretation
Soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) concentrations are inversely related to iron status; sTfR elevates in response to iron deficiency and decreases in response to iron repletion.
Clinical Reference
1. Vazquez-Lopez MA, Lopez-Ruzafa E, Ibanez-Alcalde M, MartÃn-Gonzalez M, Bonillo-Perales A, LendÃnez-Molinos F. The usefulness of reticulocyte haemoglobin content, serum transferrin receptor and the sTfR-ferritin index to identify iron deficiency in healthy children aged 1-16 years. Eur J Pediatr. 2019;178(1):41-49
2. Cook JD, Skikne BS, Baynes RD. Serum transferrin receptor. Ann Rev Med. 1993;44:63-74
3. Keevil B, Rowlands D, Burton I, Webb AK. Assessment of iron status in cystic fibrosis patients. Ann Clin Biochem. 2000;37:662-665
4. De Block CE, Van Capenhout CM, De Leeuw IH, et al. Soluble transferrin receptor level: a new marker of iron deficiency anemia, a common manifestation of gastric autoimmunity in type 1 diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2000;23(9):1384-1388
5. Mast AE, Blinder MA, Gronowski AM, et al. Clinical utility of the soluble transferrin receptor and comparison with serum ferritin in several populations. Clin Chem. 1998;44(1):45-51
6. Rees DC, Williams TN, Maitland K, et al. Alpha thalassaemia is associated with increased soluble transferrin receptor levels. Br J Haematol. 1998;103(2):365-369
7. Duits AJ, Roker RA, van Endt T, et al. Erythropoiesis and Serum sVCAM-1 levels in adults with sickle cell disease. Ann Hematol. 2003;82(3):171-174
Report Available
Same day/1 to 2 daysMethod Name
Immunoturbidimetric Assay