Specific Proteins - Transferrin

Transferrin (siderophilin) is the principal iron binding and transport protein in human plasma and can bind two molecules of iron. The normal range for healthy adults is 200-400 mg/dl. Iron availability in the plasma regulates transferrin levels which increase when plasma iron is low.Transferrin levels increase during pregnancy and oestrogen administration and correlate closely with Total Iron Binding Capacity of serum. Plasma transferrin levels are associated with a range of conditions including anaemia, iron deficiency,inflammation or malignancy, liver disease, malnutrition and protein loss.

Transferrin can also be described as a preventative antioxidant and acts by binding iron in a redox inactive form. This process is extremely important as free iron is capable of stimulating the production of harmful free radicals