Why Is Transferrin Low Sometimes and How to Increase It?

December 20, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the National Institutes of Health, low transferrin levels can indicate various underlying health conditions, including inflammation and liver disease. Understanding why is transferrin low sometimes is the first step toward addressing potential health concerns and finding effective strategies to increase this vital protein.

Quick Summary

This article explores the root causes of low transferrin, such as liver damage, inflammation, and malnutrition. It details actionable steps to increase levels, focusing on dietary adjustments, addressing chronic illnesses, and medical monitoring.

Key Points

Underlying Causes: Low transferrin can be caused by liver disease, chronic inflammation, kidney disease, malnutrition, or even iron overload.
Liver Health: Since the liver produces transferrin, damage from conditions like cirrhosis can directly lead to low levels.
Inflammation's Role: As a 'negative acute phase reactant,' transferrin decreases during chronic inflammation, which is a key cause.
Nutritional Importance: Protein deficiency from poor diet or malabsorption directly impacts the body's ability to synthesize transferrin.
Increase via Root Cause: The primary way to increase transferrin is to address the underlying medical condition, not through isolated supplements.
Dietary Support: Consuming a diet rich in protein, iron, and vitamin C can support transferrin production and iron absorption.
Professional Diagnosis: Given the variety of potential causes, a medical evaluation is essential to determine the correct treatment approach.

Transferrin is a protein primarily produced by the liver that plays a critical role in transporting iron through the bloodstream. When your transferrin levels are low, it can disrupt your body's ability to regulate iron, leading to a host of health issues. A low reading is not always straightforward and can signal different problems, not just simple iron deficiency.

Causes of Low Transferrin

Low transferrin is not a disease in itself but rather a symptom of another underlying condition. Diagnosing the root cause is essential for effective treatment.

Liver Disease

Damage to the liver, particularly from chronic diseases like cirrhosis, can decrease transferrin production as the liver is the main site of synthesis.

Chronic Inflammation and Infection

During chronic inflammation or infection, transferrin levels can drop as it acts as a 'negative acute phase reactant.' Conditions such as autoimmune disorders, ongoing infections, anemia of chronic disease, and some cancers contribute to this reduction.

Malnutrition and Protein Deficiency

Inadequate protein intake or conditions affecting nutrient absorption, like celiac disease or protein-losing enteropathy, can lead to low transferrin because it's a protein requiring sufficient building blocks for production.

Iron Overload (Hemochromatosis)

Interestingly, excess iron in conditions like hereditary hemochromatosis can signal the liver to produce less transferrin to limit further iron transport.

Kidney Disease

Certain kidney diseases, such as nephrotic syndrome, can cause protein loss, including transferrin, in the urine, resulting in reduced blood levels.

Rare Genetic Disorders

Atransferrinemia is a very rare genetic condition where there is a congenital absence or deficiency of transferrin, leading to severe iron regulation problems from birth.

How to Increase Transferrin Levels

Raising transferrin levels effectively requires treating the underlying cause, guided by a doctor's diagnosis.

Address Underlying Medical Conditions

Managing chronic diseases causing inflammation or treating liver and kidney conditions are key steps. For iron overload conditions like hemochromatosis, therapies such as therapeutic phlebotomy help reduce excess iron, which can signal the liver to normalize transferrin production.

Optimize Diet and Nutrition

Increasing protein intake with foods like lean meats, fish, eggs, and legumes supports transferrin synthesis. Consuming iron-rich foods (red meat, lentils) paired with vitamin C sources (citrus fruits) improves iron absorption, although this primarily impacts iron levels rather than directly increasing transferrin protein. In severe cases, medical professionals may recommend protein or specific nutrient supplements, or even intravenous iron or albumin.

Table: Comparing Causes and Solutions for Low Transferrin


Cause	Symptom Profile	Primary Treatment Strategy	Dietary Recommendations
Liver Disease	Signs of liver dysfunction (e.g., jaundice, fatigue), low transferrin.	Address the underlying liver condition (e.g., medication, lifestyle changes).	Focus on a balanced, nutrient-rich diet to support liver function.
Chronic Inflammation	Signs of chronic illness (e.g., arthritis, infection), low transferrin, normal ferritin.	Manage the inflammatory condition.	Ensure adequate protein and general nutrition to support the body's response.
Malnutrition	Weight loss, general weakness, low protein levels, low transferrin.	Improve overall dietary protein and caloric intake.	Increase consumption of lean meats, eggs, fish, and legumes.
Iron Overload	Fatigue, joint pain, high ferritin, low transferrin.	Phlebotomy (blood removal) to reduce iron stores.	No specific dietary changes to increase transferrin; focus on managing iron levels.
Kidney Disease	Signs of kidney dysfunction, protein in urine, low transferrin.	Manage the underlying kidney condition.	Follow dietary guidelines from a doctor, which may include controlled protein.

Conclusion

Low transferrin is often a sign of underlying health issues like liver problems, chronic inflammation, or malnutrition. Effective treatment focuses on diagnosing and addressing the specific root cause with medical guidance, which may include managing chronic conditions, improving nutrition, or other medical interventions, leading to potential improvements in transferrin levels and overall health.

Can I increase my transferrin levels naturally?

Frequently Asked Questions

Transferrin is a protein made by the liver that transports iron from the gut to cells throughout the body for use in red blood cell production. It is vital for regulating iron levels and overall iron metabolism.

No, this is a common misconception. Iron deficiency typically causes high transferrin levels as the body attempts to increase its iron-carrying capacity. Low transferrin is a sign of other conditions like inflammation or liver damage, where the body's ability to produce the protein is reduced.

Yes. Severe protein-energy malnutrition or malabsorption issues can lead to low transferrin levels, as the body lacks the raw materials needed for its production.

Yes, this is possible, particularly in cases of anemia of chronic disease or inflammatory conditions. The inflammation suppresses transferrin production, which can cause iron to be sequestered, leading to anemia.

While there is no food that directly increases transferrin production, focusing on a diet rich in protein and nutrients is beneficial. Include high-protein foods like lean meats, fish, eggs, and legumes, and ensure adequate iron and vitamin C intake to support overall iron metabolism.

In cases of severe malnutrition or specific deficiencies identified by a doctor, protein supplements or iron infusions might be used under medical supervision. However, taking supplements without addressing the underlying cause is unlikely to be effective and may be harmful, especially with iron.

The timeframe for improving transferrin levels depends entirely on the underlying cause. If a nutritional deficiency is corrected, improvements may be seen within weeks. If the cause is a chronic disease, it may take longer as the primary condition is managed.