Soluble Transferrin Receptors in the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia, ß thalassemia minor and ß thalassemia minor with concomitant iron deficiency anemia

Objective: Iron deficiency anemia and ß thalassemia minor are two important causes of microcytic and hypochromic anemia. ß thalassemia minor with concomitant iron deficiency anemia make the diagnosis difficult through conventional laboratory tests. Determination of soluble transferrin receptors is a helpful laboratory test for the diagnosis with certainty. Purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of soluble transferrin receptors in the differentiation of iron deficiency anemia from ß thalassemia minor. Methodology: A total of 80 subjects were enrolled in this study. They were divided into four groups i.e. 20 normal adult male, 20 normal adult female, 20 patients with iron deficiency anemia group and 20 patients with ß thalassemia minor. Patients with ß thalassemia minor were further sub grouped in ß thalassemia minor with and without concomitant iron deficiency anemia. Soluble transferrin receptors were determined by ELISA technique using Quantikine IVD kit (R & D Systems). Results: Levels of sTfR in individuals with ß thalassemia minor were increased but these were lower than in iron deficiency anemia group. Mean sTfR levels were higher in patients with ß thalassemia minor and concomitant iron deficiency anemia than in normal subjects as well as in patients with ß thalassemia minor alone. Their levels were similar to those in patients with iron deficiency anemia. Conclusion: sTfR can be used as a discriminating marker between patients with iron deficiency anemia and ß thalassemia minor alone. Care must be taken while dealing the patients with ß thalassemia minor and concomitant iron deficiency anemia.