The measurement of serum transferrin receptor

The concentration of the soluble fragment of transferrin receptor in serum is an important new hematological parameter. Clinical and laboratory studie s have shown that this serum form of the receptor reflects the total body m ass of cellular transferrin receptor, 80% of which is contained in the eryt hroid marrow. The two disorders that result in an elevation in the serum tr ansferrin receptor are anemias associated with enhanced erythropoiesis and tissue iron deficiency. The concentration of soluble transferrin receptor p rovides a useful quantitative measure of the erythroid marrow mass and ther eby assists clinically in categorizing the type of anemia. The most importa nt clinical use of the serum transferrin receptor is in determining the cau se of iron deficient erythropoiesis (that is, identifying iron deficiency a nemia whether it occurs alone or in the presence of the anemia of chronic d isease). Present evidence supports the routine use of the serum transferrin receptor in the clinical evaluation of anemic patients.