Soluble transferrin receptor and immature reticulocytes are not useful for distinguishing iron-deficiency anemia from heterozygous beta-thalassemia
Keywords:
Soluble, Transferrin, Receptor, Iron, Deficiency, Anemia, Heterozygous, Betathalassemia, ReticulocytesAbstract
Iron deficiency and heterozygous betathalassemia are important causes of hypochromic-microcytic anemia. Two laboratory parameters are suggested for the differentiation of such anemia. High-fluorescence reticulocyte counts and soluble transferrin receptor levels were determined in iron-deficiency anemia patients (n = 49) and heterozygous beta-thalassemia patients (n = 43). There was no significant difference in high-fluorescence reticulocyte and soluble transerrin receptor values between the two groups, but a correlation was observed between high fluorescence reticulocytes and soluble transferrin receptors in iron-deficiency anemia, probably due to increased receptor synthesis as a response to decreased iron content in erythrocytes.
Downloads
References
Beguin Y. The soluble transferrin receptor: biological aspects and clinical usefulness as quantitative measure of erythropoi- esis. Haematologica 1992;77(1):1-10.
Kohgo Y, Nishisato T, Kondo H, et al. Circulating transferrin receptor in human serum Br J Haematol 1986;64(2):277-81.
Cook JD. The measurement of serum transferrin receptor. Am J Med Sci 1999;318(4):269-76.
Gimferrer E, Ubeda J, Remacha AF. Serum transferrin receptor levels are “physiologically” high in heterozygous beta- thalassemia. Haematologica 1997;82(6):728-34.
Yoldi F, de Blas JM, Alvarez D, Alonso D, Rivera F, Rodriguez JM. Automatización del recuento de reticulocitos. Sangre 1991;36(supl 3):220-22 [Presented at XXXIII Reunión Nacional, Associación Española de Hematología y Hemoterapia; 1991 Nov 7–9; Palma de Mallorca].
