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HelpTest Code TRSF Transferrin, Serum
Reporting Name
Transferrin, SUseful For
Screening for chronic iron overload diseases, particularly hereditary hemochromatosis
Performing Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Specimen Type
SerumSpecimen Required
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 0.6 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 | Refrigerated (preferred) | 7 days | |
| Frozen | 180 days | ||
| Ambient | 7 days |
Reference Values
200-360 mg/dL
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Saturday
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
84466
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| TRSF | Transferrin, S | 3034-6 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| TRSF | Transferrin, S | 3034-6 |
Interpretation
Serum iron, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), and percent saturation are useful only in screening for chronic iron overload diseases, particularly hereditary hemochromatosis. Although serum iron, TIBC, and percent saturation are widely used for the diagnosis of iron deficiency, serum ferritin is a much more sensitive and reliable means of demonstrating iron deficiency.
In hereditary hemochromatosis, serum iron is usually above 150 mcg/dL and percent saturation exceeds 60%.
In advanced iron overload states, the percent saturation often exceeds 90%.
Clinical Reference
1. Silverman LM, Christenson RH, Grant GH: Amino acids and proteins. In Textbook of Clinical Chemistry. Edited by NW Tietz. Philadelphia, WB Saunders Company, 1986, pp 519-618
2. Ramsay WN: The determination of the total iron binding capacity of serum. Clin Chim Acta 1997 Mar 18;259(1-2):25-30
3. Tsung SH, Rosenthal WA, Milewski KA: Immunological measurement of transferrin compared with chemical measurement of total iron binding capacity. Clin Chem 1975;21:1063-1066
4. Buffone GJ, Lewis SA, Losefsohn M, Hicks JM: Chemical and immunochemical measurements of total iron binding capacity compared. Clin Chem 1978;24:1788-1791
5. Markowitz H, Fairbanks VF: Transferrin assay and total iron binding capacity. Mayo Clin Proc 1983;58:827-828
6. Szoke D, Panteghini M: Diagnostic value of transferrin. Clin Chim Acta 2012 Aug 16;413(15-16):1184-1189
Report Available
Same day/1 to 3 daysMethod Name
Immunoturbidimetric Assay
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Benign Hematology Test Request Form (T755) with the specimen.