Specific Proteins - Soluble Transferring Receptor (sTfR)

Soluble transferrin receptor is a marker of iron status. In iron deficiency anaemia, soluble transferrin receptor levels are significantly increased, however, remain normal in acute phase conditions including: chronic diseases and inflammation. As such, soluble transferrin receptor measurements are useful in the differential diagnosis of anaemia: anaemia of chronic disease (ACD) or iron deficiency anaemia (IDA). In IDA, increased soluble transferrin receptor levels have been observed in haemolytic anaemia, sickle cell anaemia, B12 deficiency and functional iron deficiency in pregnancy.

n ACD, soluble transferrin receptor levels do not correlate with iron status. This was observed in patients with chronic illnesses (cystic fibrosis and cancer), certain infections, autoimmune diseases (insulin-dependent diabetics) and inflammatory diseases.