Transferrin
WHO/BSH: an elevated level often accompanies iron deficiency; low with inflammation/liver issues.
| Rating | Range | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Talk to a doctor | below 2 g/L | Low transferrin — interpret in context (inflammation/liver). |
| Good | 2 – 3.6 g/L | Within the reference range. |
| Talk to a doctor | 3.6 g/L and above | Elevated — often iron deficiency. |
This marker also has 2 age- or sex-specific range sets in the app — the table shows the general one.
Why it matters
WHO/BSH: an elevated level often accompanies iron deficiency; low with inflammation/liver issues.
If it’s low
Low transferrin accompanies inflammation, chronic diseases, liver damage or iron overload.
If it’s high
High transferrin often accompanies iron deficiency — the body makes more carriers to catch the little available iron.
What to do
Interpret transferrin with ferritin and saturation — together they tell whether it is a deficiency or inflammation. The action follows the cause.
Read together with
Ferritin · Transferrin saturation · Iron · Hemoglobin
Part of the guide: Iron & ferritin →
Articles about this marker
- Ferritin and iron: what the values mean and how to improve themMarker explained
This content is for information only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Talk to your doctor about your results.
Your number, not the average
Upload your report: we rate your exact value for your age and sex, show the source, and tell you what to do next.
