Transferrin (TIBC) iron accumulation

Transferrin is a transport protein in the blood.

As the name implies, transferrin is a transport protein for iron (ferrum in Latin), but also for zinc. The transferrin level in the blood is determined when a disorder of iron metabolism is suspected. Such a disorder is seen, for example, in the hereditary disease iron accumulation disease (hemochromatosis). Transferrin is produced in the liver and can be taken as a measure of the total amount of iron in the body. When there is an iron deficiency in the body, the transferrin concentration rises. In diseases, however, one often sees low transferrin. This is because the liver produces less transferrin and the amount of iron in the body falls.

The transferrin concentration is also influenced by anemia and kidney disease. In patients who use antibiotics, the transferrin determination is not always reliable: a too low value will be found. Inflammations can also influence this value, so always measure CRP as well.

Transferrin is supported by InsideTrackerHereditary

hemochromatosis causes your body to absorb too much iron from the food you eat. The excess iron is stored in your organs, especially the liver, heart and pancreas. The excess iron can poison these organs, leading to life-threatening conditions such as cancer, cardiac arrhythmias and cirrhosis.

Many people inherit the defective genes that cause hemochromatosis - it is the most common inherited disease in whites. But only a minority of people with the genes develop serious problems. Hemochromatosis is more common in men.

Signs and symptoms of hereditary hemochromatosis usually appear in middle age. Iron can be lowered to safe levels by regularly removing blood from your body (venesection).