РусскийEnglishEspañol — próximamenteFrançais — bientôtDeutsch — in VorbereitungItaliano — in arrivoAll languages
Transferrin
The iron-transport protein of blood. Rises in iron deficiency, falls in inflammation and malnutrition.
Other names: Transferrin, siderophilinSection: Iron status
Updated: August 31, 2026·MedProtect editorial team Reference information — not a diagnosis or a prescription
In shortTransferrin carries iron from absorption sites and stores to the bone marrow. A typical range is 2.0–3.6 g/L (200–360 mg/dL). It rises in iron deficiency and pregnancy, and falls in inflammation and poor nutrition. Read together with serum iron, ferritin, and TIBC.
Reference ranges
Group
Reference range
Adults — typical range (international reference, not a national standard)
2.0–3.6 g/L (200–360 mg/dL)
Typical values from international references (not a national standard); MedlinePlus describes transferrin within the iron panel qualitatively. The report's own interval applies. Reference ranges vary between laboratories and assays — use the range printed on your own lab report.
Check your value
Enter the number from your lab report — see how it compares with the typical range. Mind the units shown in the chosen row.
A rough comparison with a typical range, not a diagnosis. Reference ranges vary between laboratories — check the range on your own report and let a clinician interpret the result.
What this marker is
Made in the liver, each transferrin molecule binds two iron atoms. When iron is scarce, the liver produces more transferrin to scavenge what little iron is available — so the level climbs in deficiency.
Transferrin is a negative acute-phase protein: inflammation suppresses its production. This is the opposite of ferritin and helps separate true deficiency from inflammation.
When it is high
Iron deficiencyThe liver boosts transferrin synthesis to capture scarce iron.
Pregnancy and estrogensA physiological rise in the second half of pregnancy and with estrogen-containing medicines.
When it is low
Inflammation and chronic diseaseAs a negative acute-phase protein, transferrin falls during inflammation.
Malnutrition and liver diseaseInadequate protein intake and severe liver disease reduce synthesis.
What can skew the result
These factors can shift the value without any disease — worth considering before a retest:
Inflammation (lowers)Pregnancy and estrogens (raise)Protein nutrition
How to prepare
Morning fasting sample, 8–12 hours; drawn together with serum iron, ferritin, and TIBC.
When a retest makes sense
An abnormal result is rechecked with ferritin and CRP after 4–6 weeks.
Who usually reviews this result
A result outside the reference range is usually reviewed by: your GP or primary care doctor; a hematologist or gastroenterologist as appropriate. Bring your lab report and any previous results to the appointment.
Names used on lab reports
Your report may use any of these names: TransferrinSiderophilin
Units and conversion
Measured in: g/L
g/L=mg/dL
mg/dL = g/L × 100. Results are rounded to 2 decimal places.
Several markers on your report?
See how MedProtect explains results in the app: the whole report, a check of the recognized values, and a clear breakdown.
Ferritin is the storage protein (the depot); transferrin is the transport protein. Deficiency empties the depot first (ferritin falls), then transferrin rises.
What is TIBC and how does it relate?
TIBC measures how much iron all the transferrin in blood could bind — the two tests are practically interchangeable.
Why does inflammation lower transferrin?
The body hides iron from bacteria: transport is down-regulated in inflammation, which is not necessarily deficiency.
We use cookies and Yandex.Metrika for visit statistics — no advertising tracking and no session recording. The counter loads only after your consent. Privacy policy.