Increased Serum Soluble Transferrin Receptor Concentration Detects Subclinical Iron Deficiency in Healthy Adolescent Girls

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate whether the measurement of serum soluble transferrin receptor could detect subclinical iron deficiency in adolescent girls, and to assess the possible specificity-compromising effects of growth, menarche, and intensive physical activity. The study population consisted of 191 physically active (control) girls aged 9-15 years. Dietary iron intake was estimated at baseline, and after 6 and 12 months. Iron status of the subjects was assessed by haematological laboratory tests at 6 and 12 months. A 3-month iron and multivitamin supplementation was started after the visit at 6 months. The supplementation consistently decreased soluble transferrin receptor concentrations in subjects with initial values greater than 2.4 mg/l, which was determined by regression analysis to be the cut-off value for iron-deficient erythropoiesis. The 95% reference interval in the iron-replete subjects (0.9-2.4 mg/l) was consistent with this finding. In our population, the incidence of subclinical iron deficiency was 10%. Growth or physical activity had no effect on the iron status. This study shows that, similarly to adults, soluble transferrin receptor measurement can be used to detect subclinical iron deficiency in adolescents (competitive athletes or normal controls). We suggest that soluble transferrin receptor concentrations above 2.4 mg/l indicate clinically relevant iron deficiency in adolescents.

Haematinic Deficiency and Macrocytosis in Middle-Aged and Older Adults

“…Diagnosis of iron deficiency based on ferritin (the current standard test) may be enhanced by the addition of serum soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) assay. Soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), a transmembrane protein expressed abundantly on erythroid precursors in the bone marrow [9], is of value in identifying iron deficiency [10],[11],[12]. When iron stores are depleted, sTfR levels rise indicating iron-deficient erythropoiesis which precedes the development of anaemia and in some instances precedes the decline in serum ferritin concentrations [13].…”

Aspectos gerais da deficiência de ferro no esporte, suas implicações no desempenho e importância do diagnóstico precoce

“…Desse modo, faz-se necessária a utilização de indicadores que determinem o atual estado das reservas de ferro, como ferritina plasmáti-ca 10,19,42 , transferrina sérica, 10,19,28,42,43 , receptor solúvel de transferrina sérica (sTfR) 3,14,44,45 e saturação de transferrina 47 , ferro sérico 42,44,46 e biópsia da medula óssea (10) . Porém, a biópsia da medula óssea é um procedimento invasivo e dispendioso, sendo praticamente inviável o seu uso.…”

Serum Transferrin Receptor in Children: Usefulness for Determinating the Nature of Anemia in Infection

“…Both parameters are widely used with a higher diagnostic power than sTfR or ferritin alone. 14,15 Although sTfR values for healthy [16][17][18][19][20][21] and irondeficient [22][23][24][25][26] children have been published, there are very few studies about its relation with erythropoietic activity in iron deficiency or about its diagnostic usefulness in patients with iron deficiency and concomitant infection.…”