Soluble transferrin receptor: a possible index of body iron status

ABSTRACT

Erythrocyte microcytosis and hypochromia constitute a haematological problem associating many haematological disorders such as true iron deficiency anemia and anemia complicating chronic diseases. Therefore, the present study has been planned for evaluating the level of soluble transferrin receptor [sTfR] as a differentiating parameter in these conditions. The study included 40 patients with hypochromic microcytic anemia who were classified as a true iron deficiency [IDA] group and a group of anemia of chronic disease [ACD], in addition to a control group of matched age and sex. Serum TfR and conventional iron parameters were evaluated in all included individuals. Soluble TfR was found to be significantly higher in patients with IDA, while in ACD patients, its level showed a non-significant change. Moreover, TfR/Log ferritin ratio [TfR-F index], was shown to be significantly elevated in IDA than either ACD or healthy controls. This ratio was also found to be more convenient, than serum ferntin, in differentiating ACD from that of iron deficiency. In addition, a nonsignificant difference was observed among both anemic groups as regards other parameters of iron status. On the other hand, sTfR was significantly inversely correlated with serum iron, serum ferritin and Hb in both anemic groups. It could be concluded that sTfR may be considered as a possible important parameter for evaluation of body iron status and in differentiation of the true iron deficiency anemia from that of chronic disease