Mediki
Transferrin blood test: what your result means
Transferrin measures the main iron-transport protein in blood.
- Category
- Iron status
- Standard unit
- µmol/L
- Reported in
- µmol/L, g/L, mg/mL, mg/dL, mg/100mL, mg%
What does high transferrin mean?
Higher values may suggest increased transport capacity in low-iron states. What counts as high depends on the reference range printed on your lab report, because ranges differ between laboratories.
What does low transferrin mean?
Lower values may suggest reduced transport protein production or inflammation context. What counts as low depends on the reference range printed on your lab report, because ranges differ between laboratories.
Transferrin units and conversion
Mediki shows transferrin in µmol/L. Labs may report it in other units; Mediki converts them automatically so results from different labs line up on one chart.
| Unit on your report | Convert to µmol/L | Convert back |
|---|---|---|
| g/L, mg/mL | 1 g/L = 12.56 µmol/L | 1 µmol/L = 0.0796 g/L |
| mg/dL, mg/100mL, mg% | 1 mg/dL = 0.1256 µmol/L | 1 µmol/L = 7.96 mg/dL |
Convert a value from your report with the blood test unit converter.
Why track transferrin over time?
A single transferrin result is a snapshot. Comparing it with your earlier tests shows whether a value is stable, slowly drifting, or responding to a change in treatment or lifestyle, which is often more useful than one number on its own.
Read our guide on how to read blood test results to understand reference ranges, flags and units.
Following transferrin as part of a panel? See the ferritin and iron tracker.
Track your transferrin results in one chart
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Medical disclaimer: This page is general information, not medical advice. Reference ranges differ between laboratories, and only a doctor can interpret your results in the context of your health.