Immunoturbidimetric assay of transferrin: effect of iron and need for serum blanks.

The introduction of specific antisera has led to the replacement of total iron binding capacity assays with direct immunochemical measures of transferrin. However, some controversy exists over the effect of the degree of iron saturation on antigen-antibody interactions in these immunochemical assays. This study describes a simple automated immunoturbidimetric assay of transferrin, and includes a reference range and an evaluation of the effects of common potential interferents, including iron, bilirubin, lipemia, and hemoglobin. The measured and the calculated TIBC are also compared for 78 healthy individuals and 51 patients with anemia.