Abnormal Circulating Transferrin Concentration C5139308
Abnormal transferrin levels can indicate iron deficiency or overload. It affects people with nutritional issues, liver disease, or chronic conditions. Treatment addresses the underlying cause.
Key facts at a glance
- ICD-10
- D64.9
- ICD-11
- 3A00.0
- Body system
- hematologic
- Severity
- moderate
- Chronic
- true
Signs and symptoms
Common signs and symptoms that may indicate this condition.
Warning signs - seek immediate care
Chest pain
Sharp or pressure-like pain in the chest that may occur with exertion or at rest, indicating possible cardiac strain.
Seek emergency care immediately if chest pain is severe, radiates to the arm or jaw, or is accompanied by shortness of breath.
Persistent fatigue
(constitutional)Persistent feeling of tiredness and lack of energy that does not improve with rest, often interfering with daily activities.
Frequency: 80-90% of patients
Pale skin
(dermatologic)Noticeable paleness of the skin, particularly on the inner eyelids, lips, and nail beds, due to reduced hemoglobin.
Frequency: 70-80% of patients
Shortness of breath
(respiratory)Difficulty breathing or feeling breathless, especially during physical activity or exertion.
Frequency: 50-60% of patients
Dizziness
(neurologic)Feeling lightheaded, faint, or unsteady, often occurring when standing up quickly.
Frequency: 40-50% of patients
Brittle nails
(dermatologic)Nails become thin, weak, and prone to breaking or splitting easily.
Frequency: 30-40% of patients
Heart palpitations
(cardiovascular)Awareness of rapid, irregular, or forceful heartbeat, sometimes felt in the chest or neck.
Frequency: 25-35% of patients
Hair loss
(dermatologic)Excessive hair shedding or thinning, particularly on the scalp, due to reduced iron availability for hair growth.
Frequency: 30-40% of patients
Difficulty concentrating
(neurologic)Trouble focusing, reduced mental alertness, and difficulty with memory or thinking clearly.
Frequency: 15-25% of patients
Pica
(gastrointestinal)Unusual craving for non-food substances such as ice, dirt, or paper, often associated with iron deficiency.
Frequency: 5-10% of patients
Diagnosis and tests
How this condition is diagnosed and what test results mean.
Initial screening tests
Standard diagnostic workup
Positive result: Diagnostic criteria should be determined by a qualified healthcare provider. [Content pending medical review.]
Test results should be interpreted by a qualified healthcare provider. [Content pending medical review.]
Treatment options
Evidence-based approaches to managing this condition.
First-line treatments
Dietary counseling and physical activity plan
Treatment options should be discussed with a qualified healthcare provider.
Iron supplementation therapy
Oral or intravenous iron replacement to address iron deficiency causing low transferrin levels. Treatment continues until iron stores are replenished and transferrin normalizes.
Iron studies panel monitoring
Regular blood testing including transferrin, ferritin, iron, and TIBC to assess iron status and treatment response. Monitoring guides duration of therapy and identifies need for further investigation.
Additional treatment options
Iron-rich dietary modification
Increased consumption of heme iron sources such as lean meat, fish, and poultry, along with non-heme iron sources including legumes, fortified cereals, and dark leafy greens. Dietary changes support long-term iron maintenance.
dietaryIron absorption enhancement
Dietary strategies to maximize iron absorption including vitamin C consumption with iron-rich foods and avoidance of inhibitors like tea and coffee during meals. This optimizes the bioavailability of dietary and supplemental iron.
dietaryGastrointestinal investigation
Diagnostic procedures such as endoscopy or colonoscopy to identify sources of chronic blood loss or malabsorption contributing to abnormal transferrin levels. Recommended when iron deficiency is unexplained.
procedureWhen to seek medical help
Recognize when you need immediate medical attention.
Schedule an appointment soon
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this topic.
What is Abnormal Circulating Transferrin Concentration C5139308?
Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized medical information about this condition. [Content pending medical review.]
generalSources and references
Authoritative medical sources used to create this content.
World Health Organization. WHO guidelines on iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia. Geneva: WHO; 2023.
CDC. Recommendations to Prevent and Control Iron Deficiency in the United States. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2002;51(RR-3):1-29.
Cappellini MD, Comin-Colet J, de Francisco A, et al. Iron deficiency across chronic inflammatory conditions: International expert opinion on definition, diagnosis, and management. Am J Hematol. 2017;92(10):1068-1078.
Hoffbrand AV, Taher A, Cappellini MD. Iron deficiency and related disorders. In: Hoffbrand AV, Higgs DR, Keeling DM, et al., eds. Postgraduate Haematology. 7th ed. Wiley-Blackwell; 2016:43-62.
American Society of Hematology. ASH clinical practice guidelines on iron deficiency. Blood Adv. 2020;4(21):5546-5555.
Garcia-Lopez S, Baccelli F, Alvarado G, et al. Diagnostic accuracy of transferrin saturation and serum ferritin for iron deficiency: A meta-analysis. J Clin Lab Anal. 2022;36(5):e24345.
International Consensus Conference on Iron Deficiency Anemia. Consensus statement on diagnosis and treatment of iron deficiency anemia. Haematologica. 2018;103(10):1665-1672.
Stoffel NU, Cercamondi CI, Brittenham G, et al. Iron absorption from oral iron supplements: Randomized controlled trial. Lancet Haematol. 2020;7(11):e776-e784.
Klipstein-Grobusch K, Koster JF, Lindemans J, et al. Serum transferrin and risk of coronary heart disease: The Rotterdam Study. Eur J Clin Invest. 2002;32(10):721-727.
Medication Comparisons
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View Medication ComparisonsThis information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
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Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 20, 2026. · Read our editorial policy