Iron status in healthy elderly people: an evaluation of the role of soluble transferrin receptors in elderly

Objective The aim of this study was to examine the status of iron and the significance of soluble transferrin receptors (sTfR) in healthy elderly population. Participants and methods This study was carried out on 30 healthy elderly individuals (15 men and 15 women) above 65 years of age (the elderly group); in addition, 10 young participants served as controls (the control group). Serum iron level, total capacity of iron binding (TIBC), ferritin, and hemoglobin were measured. The level of sTfR was measured with a commercial kit using BioVendor Humans sTfR ELISA. Results Significant statistical decrease in hemoglobin level (P = 0.0007), ferritin (P = 0.00001), and serum iron (P = 0.00001), and a significant statistical increase in sTfR (P = 0.0013) were found in the elderly group. There was no statistical significant difference in TIBC (P = 0.4719) and significant negative correlation between sTfR and ferritin, TIBC, hemoglobin, and serum iron. Conclusion Serum iron decreases with advancing age and sTfR level increases. sTfR is negatively correlated with serum iron level and can be used as a reliable marker for iron stores, as sTfR is not affected by acute inflammatory conditions. sTfR measurement is useful in the diagnosis of iron deficiency.