How is NTBI measured?
NTBI is measured by a nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) ultrafiltration assay 1. In brief, heparinized plasma will be incubated with NTA to mobilize iron from NTBI to the Fe-NTA complex. Plasma proteins will removed by ultrafiltration and the Fe-NTA in the ultrafiltrate will be measured by a colorimetric assay (Figure 1).
What is Bleomycin detectable iron?
Bleomycin-detectable iron constitutes only a portion of the NTBI measured by the chelation method. Hematology. Iron is bound with high affinity to transferrin, the iron carrier protein in serum. In some clinical conditions, transferrin becomes fully saturated, and non-transferrin-bound iron (NTBI) 1 appears in serum.
What is bound iron?
Background: Besides transferrin iron, which represents the normal form of circulating iron, non-transferrin bound iron (NTBI) has been identified in the plasma of patients with various pathological conditions in which transferrin saturation is significantly elevated.
What is non transferrin bound iron?
Non transferrin bound iron (NTBI) is the term used for the free iron present in plasma, including all the forms of iron present in serum or plasma which are not bound to Tf and the other traditional iron binding proteins like haem, apoferritin, hemosiderin etc.
What is transferrin in a blood test?
Transferrin is the main protein in the blood that binds to iron and transports it throughout the body. A transferrin test directly measures the level in the blood.
How is transferrin measured?
Transferrin may also be measured using a value called total iron-binding capacity (TIBC). Results are given in micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL). Normal values are 250 to 450 mcg/dL. A higher level means that you may have iron-deficiency anemia.
What is an iron transferrin test?
Definition. Total iron binding capacity (TIBC) is a blood test to see if you have too much or too little iron in your blood. Iron moves through the blood attached to a protein called transferrin. This test helps your health care provider know how well that protein can carry iron in your blood.
What is a good transferrin level?
The normal range for transferrin is 204 to 360 mg/dl. If you have a higher amount, you may have iron-deficiency anemia. If you have a lower level, you may have another problem, such as liver disease and hemolytic anemia.