Home
HelpEpic Test Code LAB3865 Soluble Transferrin Receptor (sTfR), Serum
Additional Codes
MML Code: STFR
LIS Code: STFER
NY State Approved
YesPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Reporting Name
Soluble Transferrin Receptor (sTfR)Method Name
Immunoturbidimetric Assay
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serum | Frozen (preferred) | 90 days | |
| Refrigerated | 7 days | ||
| Ambient | 72 hours |
Specimen Required
Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube 5 mL (T914)
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 1 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 Type
SerumSpecimen Minimum Volume
0.25 mL
Reference Values
1.8-4.6 mg/L
It is reported that African Americans may have slightly higher values.
Report Available
Same day/1 to 2 daysDay(s) Performed
Monday through Sunday
CPT Code Information
84238
Reject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | Reject |
Useful For
Evaluation of suspected iron deficiency in patients who may have inflammation, infection, or chronic disease and other conditions in which ferritin concentration does not correlate with iron status, including:
-Cystic fibrosis patients who frequently have inflammation or infections(2-3)
-Evaluating insulin-dependent diabetics who may have iron-deficiency resulting from gastric autoimmunity and atrophic gastritis(4)
Clinical Information
Iron uptake into cells is mediated through internalizing iron-transferrin complexes. The iron-transferrin complex binds to transferrin receptors present on the external face of the plasma membrane and is internalized through endosomes with ultimate release of iron into the cytoplasm. Plasma membrane-bound transferrin receptor is released by proteolytic cleavage of the extracellular domain, resulting in the formation of a truncated soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) that circulates freely in the blood.
The concentration of sTfR is an indicator of iron status. Iron deficiency causes overexpression of transferrin receptor and sTfR levels, while iron repletion results in decreased sTfR levels. While ferritin measurement is the accepted method for assessment of iron deficiency, ferritin is an acute-phase reactant and elevates in response to processes that do not correlate with iron status, including inflammation, chronic disease, malignancy, and infection. sTfR is not an acute-phase reactant and the interpretation of iron status using sTfR measurement is not affected by these confounding pathologies.(1)
Interpretation
Soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) concentrations are inversely related to iron status; sTfR elevates in response to iron deficiency and decreases in response to iron repletion.
Cautions
The soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) immunoassay should not be used for the routine clinical evaluation of patients for iron status when ferritin immunoassay (FERR1 / Ferritin, Serum) would be appropriate, such as in the absence of confounding pathologies (inflammation, infection, chronic disease, or malignancy).
Patients with hemolysis and recent blood loss may have falsely elevated sTfR levels.
sTfR is elevated in patients with thalassemia and sickle cell disease. Caution should be exercised in managing anemia in these individuals based on the sTfR test results.