Total iron-binding capacity and serum transferrin determination under the influence of several clinical conditions

In this study TIBC and serum-transferrin concentrations were determined by immunochemical turbidimetry, immunochemical nephelometry and radial immunod iffusion under normal and pathological clinical conditions. A total of 246 (123 male/123 female) patients were included [iron deficiency: 60 (18/42), iron overload: 56 (39/17), chronic inflammation: 47 (23/24), undefined dise ases: 35 (16/19), healthy volunteers 48 (27/21)]. The data show that determ ination of TIBC from conversion of transferrin values using a constant fact or results in significantly higher values compared to conversion with a fun ction of first degree. For clinical practice the influence of different dis eases is negligible. This study indicates that it is not possible to develo p a universal algorithm for the conversion of transferrin values into TIBC. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.