SOLUBLE TRANSFERRIN RECEPTOR: A DIFFERENTIATING MARKER BETWEEN IRON DEFICIENCY ANAEMIA AND ANAEMIA OF CHRONIC DISORDERS

Authors

  • Muhammad Saboor
  • Moinuddin Moinuddin
  • Ayesha Noreen

Abstract

Background: Iron deficiency anaemia and anaemia of chronic disorders are the two major causes ofmicrocytic and hypochromic anaemia. Many times the diagnosis of these conditions becomes difficultthrough conventional laboratory tests. Determination of soluble transferrin receptors is a helpfullaboratory test for the differential diagnosis of these conditions. The study was conducted to evaluatethe role of soluble transferrin receptors in the differential diagnosis between iron deficiency anaemiaand anaemia of chronic disorders. Methods: A total of 80 blood samples were evaluated, i.e., 20samples from normal adult male, 20 samples from normal adult female, 20 samples from irondeficiency anaemia group and 20 samples from patients with anaemia of chronic disorders. Solubletransferrin receptors were determined by ELISA technique using Quantikine IVD kit (R and DSystems). Results: There was significant difference in the levels of sTfR in iron deficiency anaemiaand anaemia of chronic disorders. Statistically non-significant difference was observed between thelevels of sTfR in patients with anaemia of chronic disorders as compared to normal control group.Conclusion: The sTfR determination can be used as a reliable differentiating marker in the diagnosis ofiron deficiency anaemia and anaemia of chronic disorders.Keywords: sTfR, iron deficiency anaemia, anaemia of chronic disorders

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Published

2011-09-01