Soluble transferrin receptor and zinc protoporphyrin--competitors or efficient partners?

Objectives: Soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) and zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) are both parameters of iron deficient erythropoiesis (IDE), the sTfR measurement is commonly regarded to be the more sensitive test. sTfR also reflects erythropoietic activity, it is increased in enhanced erythropoiesis.

Methods: We investigated the diagnostic accuracy of sTfR in assessment of iron deficiency (ID) and compared it with ZPP.