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Test Code TRANSF Transferrin LAB133

Performing Laboratory

UnityPoint The Finley Hospital

Test Method

Immunoturbidimetric assay; Roche cobas Pro.

Performance

Testing is performed Monday through Sunday.
Routine: Typically completed within 4 hours after the specimen arrives at the testing site.
STAT: Typically completed within 1 hour after the specimen arrives at the testing site.

Specimen Requirement

  1. Lithium heparin plasma (green) is the specimen of choice. 0.5mL
  2. Serum (red/gold) is also an acceptable sample type.
  3. Gel tubes are acceptable. 
  4. It is recommended that the serum or plasma be separated from contact with cells within 2 hours from time of collection.
  5. Transferrin specimens are stable for 8 days at 15-25°C, 8 days at 2-8°C, and 6 months at -15°C. 

Useful For

Transferrin is the iron transport protein in serum. In cases of iron deficiency, the degree of transferrin saturation appears to be an extremely sensitive indicator of functional iron depletion. In screening for hereditary hemochromatosis, transferrin saturation provides a better indication of the homozygous genotype than does ferritin. The best monitoring procedure is to determine transferrin saturation during therapy. Transferrin saturation in conjunction with ferritin gives a conclusive prediction of the exclusion of iron overloading in patients with chronic liver disease.

Reference Values

200 - 360 mg/dL

 

CPT Code Information

84466 
Chemistry: Transferrin

LOINC Code Information

3034-6 Transferrin SerPl

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