What does it mean if there is too much transferrin in your blood?

Transferrin is a protein that transports iron in the blood. Too much transferrin in the blood, a condition called hypertransferrinemia, is usually a sign of an underlying medical condition, such as:

- Iron deficiency anemia: This is the most common cause of hypertransferrinemia. When the body is deficient in iron, it produces more transferrin in an attempt to transport more iron to the cells.

- Chronic liver disease: Liver damage can lead to decreased production of transferrin, which can result in hypertransferrinemia.

- Pregnancy: During pregnancy, the body produces more transferrin to support the increased need for iron.

- Certain types of cancer: Some types of cancer, such as leukemia and lymphoma, can cause hypertransferrinemia.

In some cases, hypertransferrinemia may not be associated with any underlying medical condition. If you have hypertransferrinemia, your doctor will likely order tests to determine the cause and recommend treatment if necessary.