Interpretive Handbook

Test 84283 :
Soluble Transferrin Receptor (sTfR), Serum


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.


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(1-2)

-Evaluating insulin-dependent diabetics who may have iron-deficiency resulting from gastric autoimmunity and  atrophic gastritis(3)

Interpretation Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results

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.


The soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) immunoassay should not be used for the routine clinical evaluation of patients for iron status when ferritin immunoassay (FERR / 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.


1.8-4.6 mg/L

It is reported that African Americans may have slightly higher values.


1. Cook JD, Skikne BS, Baynes RD: Serum transferrin receptor. Ann Rev Med 1993;44:63-74

2. Keevil B, Rowlands D, Burton I, Webb AK: Assessment of iron status in cystic fibrosis patients. Ann Clin Biochem 2000;37:662-665

3. De Block CEM, Van Capenhout CM, De Leeuw IH, et al: Soluble transferrin receptor level: a new marker of iron deficiency anemia, a common manifestation of gastric autoimmunity in type 1 diabetes. Diabetes Care 2000;23:


4. Mast AE, Blinder MA, Gronowski AM, et al: Clinical utility of the soluble transferrin receptor and comparison with serum ferritin in several populations. Clin Chem 1998;44:45-51

5. Rees DC, Williams TN, Maitland K, et al: Alpha thalassaemia is associated with increased soluble transferrin receptor levels. Br J Haematol 1998;103:365-369

6. Duits AJ, Roker RA, van Endt T, et al: Erythropoiesis and Serum sVCAM-1 levels in adults with sickle cell disease. Ann Hematol 2003;82:171-174