The term low transferrin refers to the decrease in transferrin glycoprotein in the bloodstream. Transferrin is a protein responsible for taking the iron consumed daily after being absorbed by the intestine. This iron is transported by transferrin, and is then stored in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow..
After being stored in the form of ferritin, iron can be used in different processes, such as in the synthesis of hemoglobin and in the hematopoietic process. Transferrin is synthesized in the reticulum endothelial system (SRE), although it does so especially in the liver. Its half-life lasts between 8 and 10 days.
Because its half-life is short compared to other proteins synthesized in the liver such as albumin, its measurement in plasma is a reliable indicator of the liver's ability to synthesize. However, serum transferrin levels should not be confused with transferrin saturation..
Serum transferrin levels refer to the amount of protein present in blood plasma, while transferrin saturation refers to the percentage of that transferrin in plasma that is busy transporting iron.
Normal transferrin saturation values range from 25% to 35%.
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Some literatures describe low iron diet as a direct cause of low plasma transferrin levels. However, iron has been shown not to assist in the synthesis of transferrin in the liver..
This relationship may be due to the fact that the body is always looking to maintain balance and prevent the deficit or excess of any of its molecules and proteins..
For this reason, the body perceives a decrease in the amount of iron available for body processes and translates it as a need for transferrin; then sends the signal to the liver to increase its synthesis and transport more iron for use.
On the contrary, if the body perceives an excessive increase in iron available for hematopoietic processes -or the synthesis of hemoglobin-, it translates it as an excess of transferrin transporting iron and, consequently, sends the signal to the liver to reduce its production.
Due to the fact that transferrin is synthesized mainly in the liver, the causes of its decrease in plasma are mainly those that can affect liver function.
It has been shown that the consumption of more than 80 grams of alcohol daily can inhibit the glycosylation of some glycoproteins, including transferrin. As a consequence, low levels are found in plasma.
Glomerulonephritis is a pathology in which the kidney's filtering capacity has been lost.
Therefore, it allows the passage of large molecules that would not normally pass through the glomerulus, such as albumin proteins, gamma globulins and transferrins..
This loss of protein through the kidney has multiple causes and usually triggers a nephrotic syndrome and low plasma transferrin..
Transferrin saturation levels are taken into consideration for the diagnosis of hemochromatosis..
When the pathology exists, they are usually above 50%, 20% more than the expected normal value..
This means that there is little transferrin in the bloodstream and, therefore, a greater percentage of it must transport iron to meet the needs of the body.
Two transferrin saturation readings above 50% are already considered diagnostic of the disease.
Transferrin belongs to the group of serum proteins known as “negative acute phase proteins”, which means that its normal serum values decrease by at least 25% when inflammatory processes occur..
This can occur in surgeries, neoplasms, infections, post-traumatic inflammation and any process that triggers acute phase reactants..
Treatment for low levels of transferrin in the bloodstream depends mainly on the cause that produces it..
More than treatment, in some cases it is corrective measures in eating and alcoholic habits.
In the event that low levels of transferrin in the blood are due to an excess of iron in the body, the treatment will be aimed at reducing iron..
Deferoxamine binds excess free iron (respects iron in hemoglobin and iron bound to transferrin), and forms chelates that the kidneys can filter and are excreted in the urine.
Accompanied by a diet low in iron, it is recommended to avoid food supplements with iron and vitamin C, which favors the absorption of intestinal iron..
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