Plasma

Preferred Minimum: 1 mL plasma
Absolute Minimum: 0.3 mL plasma

Contaminated, severely hemolyzed, icteric, or lipemic specimens.

24 hours upon receipt at reference laboratory (upon receipt in laboratory)

Male - 18 years & older: 2.2-5.0 mg/L
Female - 18 years & older: 1.9-4.4 mg/L

People of African descent and those residing at 5,200 feet (1,600 meters) above sea level were found to have a 6% higher normal value. These differences were additive. Reference intervals have not been established for pregnant females, patients under 18 years of age, and recent or frequent blood donors.

Serum soluble transferrin receptor increases in iron deficiency and is usually unaffected by chronic disease states. In general, to increase sensitivity and specificity, the measurement of serum soluble transferrin receptor should be performed in combination with other tests of iron status, including ferritin, TIBC, and serum iron (refer to table below).

                              Iron      Anemia of    Iron Deficiency &
              Tests for    Deficiency    Chronic         Anemia of
             Changes in:     Anemia      Disease      Chronic Disease
Ferritin     Iron Stores      Low         High         Normal or High
TIBC         Iron Status      High        Low          Normal or High
Serum Iron   Iron Status      Low         Low               Low
sTfR         Iron Status      High       Normal            High

Quantitative Immunoturbidimetry

Centrifuge within two hours of draw time.
Label transport tube with patient last name, first name, identification number, date and time of collection.
Separate plasma into screw-capped plastic vial.

Store frozen.

Place labeled specimen into zip-lock type biohazard bag; seal bag.
Place completed requisition into outside pocket of bag.
Place dry ice on top of specimen in Styrofoam container to maintain frozen temperature.

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