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Soluble transferrin receptor refers to the presence of a cleaved portion of the transferrin receptor present in serum. The concentration of sTfR is an indicator of iron status. Iron deficiency causes overexpression of transferrin receptor and sTfR levels, while iron repletion results in decreased sTfR levels. The sTfR is regarded as a more stable marker of iron levels in an inflammatory state. This is in contrast to ferritin, a routine investigation for anemia. As ferritin is an acute-phase reactant, it may be elevated in inflammatory states. In a patient with a preexisting inflammatory state, an investigating physician may test for sTfR to identify whether an anaemia is an iron deficiency anemia, in which sTfR is elevated, or not. This is particularly useful in distinguishing between the anemia of chronic disease and iron-deficiency anaemias.
