what is Transferrin and why is mine low?

[PixieElv]

Merry Xmas everyone

i had a recent full iron panel & blood count done. Everything is ok/in range but my transferrin is low.

any idea what it is and it should be the ONLY thing that’s out of range for me?

thank you

[FallingInReverse]

this should help:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[PixieElv in reply to FallingInReverse]

thank you.

Still not sure I understand. My transferrin is low ? And iron panel results are normal in the upper range?

What am i missing?

[FallingInReverse in reply to PixieElv]

Not an expert - but as you probably know from your thyroid journey - “in range” is often misleading, and can sometimes be very very misleading.

Why do you ask the question ? Are you unwell and symptomatic and trying to determine treatment changes?

Helpful to share your full iron panel with ranges - and probably helpful to see your latest TSH, and free Ts, and other related vitamins/minerals.

Lastly, I think the linked post above does a good job at explaining, but by the book:

Transferrin is a protein in the blood that helps transport iron throughout the body. When transferrin levels are low, it indicates reduced iron-carrying capacity in the blood.

TIBC measures the total amount of iron that can be carried by transferrin. Low transferrin levels may affect TIBC results.

If iron and ferritin are indeed optimal, then you have enough iron in storage and in your blood, it’s just having trouble getting to where it needs to go.

But also iron at the top of the range - not sure how at the top, but not sure if that’s much better than being at the bottom, ie, iron toxicity.

Disclaimer - I’m not an expert, please correct me if anyone sees I’m wrong.

[PixieElv in reply to FallingInReverse]

Thank you.

Unfortunately my test results are in the NHS app, so I have to check 24 individual tabs, note it down and transcribe it… 🤪

[Popscicle]

Transferrin is a protein made by the liver. Its role is to transport iron from the gut. If transferrin was a car, dietary iron is the passenger. Low transferrin can either be caused by too much iron in the diet or inflammation. I suspect in your case it reflects inflammation but you’re only just below range. I don’t think your gp will find this level concerning.

[PixieElv in reply to Popscicle]

Oh that make sense, thank you.

I’ve come down with a nasty cold since then so that makes total sense.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Have a look here:

What does the test result mean?

High TIBC or transferrin, or low transferrin saturation, usually indicates iron deficiency. A low TIBC or transferrin, or high transferrin saturation may occur if you have haemochromatosis (too much stored iron). Other causes of abnormal results include anaemia caused by infections and chronic diseases, malnutrition, cirrhosis, or nephrotic syndrome (a kidney disease that causes loss of protein in urine).

labtestsonline.org.uk/tests...

That link also has a table - attached.

Low Transferrin alongside low % Transferrin Saturation shows Chronic Illness. While your % Transferrin Saturation isn't low enough to have been reported as low, it is only around a third of the way through the reference interval.

But iron tests are notorious for difficulty of interpretation - and one factor alone really isn't sufficient. It would be worth taking the effort to collect the rest from the app and posting them as well - preferably as text.

One example: I suspect your Ferritin might be in range - but I'd be surprised if it weren't towards the low end.

LabTestsOnline Transferrin interpretation table

[PixieElv in reply to helvella]

Will do and post as a new post 😊