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Transferrin

Transferrin: iron shortage, haemoglobin and anaemia

According to the NVKC, the iron in the blood is carried by the protein transferrin, to which it is bound.

According to the NVKC, a lack of iron can cause too little haemoglobin in the blood, which is called anaemia; a raised transferrin could fit that iron deficiency. Only a blood test shows whether transferrin is abnormal.

The Unilabs reference values for transferrin are 1.8 to 2.9 g/l in men and 1.8 to 3.2 g/l in women, those of Star-SHL 2.2 to 3.6 g/l in men and 2.5 to 3.8 g/l in women.

Doctor's Assessment Included

Transferrin is the protein that iron in the blood is bound to and with which iron is carried through the body. According to the NVKC, a raised transferrin could fit iron deficiency, a lowered one an excess of iron.

Star-SHL uses 2.2 to 3.6 g/l in men and 2.5 to 3.8 g/l in women; Unilabs 1.8 to 2.9 g/l in men and 1.8 to 3.2 g/l in women.
Diagnostiek voor U uses 2.0 to 4.1 g/L in people older than 16.
According to the NVKC, TIBC is another way of reporting the same measured amount of transferrin, in µmol per litre.

Reference Ranges

See the value that applies to you:

Choose male or female — this range differs by sex.

Enter your age — this range changes with age.

This range also depends on context such as cycle phase or sample material; the highlighted rows apply to your group.

Male Your group

g/l

Low 2 Normal 3.5 High

Female Your group

g/l

Low 2 Normal 3.5 High

Source: NVKC Reference population: Dutch adults (NVKC)

Reference ranges may vary between laboratories. When you order a test, a BIG-registered doctor assesses your personal results in context. For treatment decisions, discuss your results with your GP.

Check your own value

Transferrin: what Dutch laboratories use

Reference ranges by group, in g/l
Laboratory	Group	Reference value (g/l)	Relative scale
Star-shl	· Male	2.2–3.6 g/l	2.2 3.6
Star-shl	· Female	2.5–3.8 g/l	2.5 3.8
Unilabs	· Male	1.8–2.9 g/l	1.8 2.9
Unilabs	· Female	1.8–3.2 g/l	1.8 3.2
Diagnostiek voor U	· Everyone · 17 years and older	2.0–4.1 g/L	2 4.1

0 4.51 g/l

Source: Star-shl

Source: Unilabs

Source: Diagnostiek voor U

Each value as the laboratory itself publishes it, retrieved in 2026.

Transferrin: what this test measures

The transferrin test measures in g/l how much of the iron transport protein transferrin is in the blood. Diagnostiek voor U reports transferrin saturation as a separate determination.

Transferrin: why this value matters

Transferrin matters in anaemia from iron deficiency, because according to the NVKC a serum iron or transferrin test can determine whether the iron shortage needs further investigation or treatment. According to the NVKC, in that form of anaemia the red blood cells are usually smaller and less well filled with haemoglobin than normal.

Transferrin: how the blood test works

Referral: No GP referral needed. After the order we arrange the referral through ZorgDomein, within one business day; orders after 17:00 or at the weekend start on the next business day. ZorgDomein emails a barcode, and that barcode is what the draw site needs.
The draw: A blood draw from a vein in the arm, at a partner laboratory's draw site. No home kit, no finger prick.
Which test: Vitamin and Iron Panel · €104,- · Blood Test Iron, Vitamins · €149,-
Where: 650+ draw sites run by independent laboratories across the Netherlands. Draw sites

Transferrin: when is testing worthwhile?

According to the NVKC, when iron shortage is suspected, transferrin is often requested together with the serum iron test and the ferritin test.

Transferrin: symptoms of a high or low value

Low Levels

According to the NVKC, a low transferrin can point to a low-protein diet, and according to the NVKC it could also fit an iron excess such as haemochromatosis.

High Levels

According to the NVKC, a raised transferrin result could fit iron deficiency, and according to the NVKC iron deficiency can lead to anaemia, too little haemoglobin in the blood.

Transferrin: causes of a low or high value

What lowers the value

Iron excess, for example haemochromatosis

A lowered transferrin could fit an excess of iron in the body, as in haemochromatosis. Certain (inherited) forms of anaemia can also go with iron accumulation.
Low-protein diet

A lowered transferrin can also point to a low-protein diet.
Reduced liver function

A lowered transferrin can also point to the liver functioning less well.

What raises the value

Iron deficiency

A raised transferrin could fit iron deficiency.
Pregnancy

In pregnancy the TIBC, another way of reporting the measured transferrin, can be raised.
Contraceptive pill

With use of the contraceptive pill the TIBC, another way of reporting the measured transferrin, can be raised.

Transferrin: lifestyle and this value

Whether an abnormal transferrin calls for further investigation or treatment of iron deficiency can, according to the NVKC, be established on the basis of a serum iron or transferrin test; discuss that result with your GP.

Transferrin: frequently asked questions

Which tests are done alongside transferrin?

According to the NVKC, the serum iron test and the ferritin test are often requested alongside transferrin.

Transferrin: sources

Nederlandse Vereniging voor Klinische Chemie en Laboratoriumgeneeskunde. Alles over testen. Over AFP: "De referentiewaarden kunnen verschillen tussen laboratoria, afhankelijk van de methode. Ga daarom uitsluitend af op de referentiewaarden van het laboratorium dat het onderzoek heeft uitgevoerd en interpreteer nooit AFP-uitslagen van verschillende laboratoria door elkaar." Geraadpleegd 14 juli 2026. (retrieved 2026) allesovertesten.nl
Star-shl, Labbepalingen (referentiewaarden per bepaling), star-shl.nl, geraadpleegd 2026-10-01 (retrieved 2026) star-shl.nl
Unilabs, Bepalingenklapper (referentiewaarden per bepaling), bepalingenklapper.nl, geraadpleegd 2026-10-01 (retrieved 2026) bepalingenklapper.nl
Diagnostiek voor U, eLabgids (Referentiewaarden DvU), diagnostiek.getincontrol.eu, geraadpleegd 2026-10-01 (retrieved 2026) diagnostiek.getincontrol.eu
NVKC, Alles over testen: Transferrine, allesovertesten.nl, geraadpleegd 2026-10-17 (retrieved 2026) allesovertesten.nl