Iron and Total Iron Binding Capacity Tests (TIBC)

Iron and Total Iron-Binding Capacity Tests (TIBC)-Why am I having this test?

Iron and total iron-binding capacity tests may be used to:

  • Diagnose iron-deficiency anemia, a condition in which the concentration of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood is below normal because of too little iron.
  • Monitor treatment for iron-deficiency anemia.
  • Monitor conditions that cause your body to break down red blood cells more quickly than normal.

You may have these tests if:

  • You are pregnant.
  • You have had a blood test that showed abnormal red blood cell numbers, size, or color.
  • Your health care provider suspects iron overload, iron poisoning, or low levels of iron due to blood loss.

What is being tested?

These tests measure the amount of iron in your blood (serum iron level) and the amount of a type of protein called transferrin. Iron comes from your diet and becomes part of the hemoglobin in your red blood cells. For iron to bind to hemoglobin, it must first be carried from your small intestine into your bone marrow by transferrin. The tests determine the amount of transferrin that is available to transport iron to the bone marrow (iron-binding capacity).

What kind of sample is taken?

A blood sample is required for this test. It is usually collected by inserting a needle into a blood vessel.

How do I prepare for this test?

Do not eat or drink anything except water after midnight on the night before the test or as told by your health care provider.

Tell a health care provider about:

  • All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
  • Any recent blood transfusions you have had.
  • Any medical conditions you have.
  • Whether you have had any recent meals that contained high levels of iron.

How are the results reported?

Your test results will be reported as values. Your health care provider will compare your results to normal ranges that were established after testing a large group of people (reference ranges). Reference ranges may vary among labs and hospitals. For this test, common reference ranges are:

Iron

  • Male: 80–180 mcg/dL or 14–32 μmol/L (SI units).
  • Female: 60–160 mcg/dL or 11–29 μmol/L (SI units).
  • Newborn: 100–250 mcg/dL.
  • Child: 50–120 mcg/dL.

TIBC

  • 250–460 mcg/dL or 45–82 μmol/L (SI units).

Transferrin

  • Adult male: 215–365 mg/dL or 2.15–3.65 g/L (SI units).
  • Adult female: 250–380 mg/dL or 2.5–3.8 g/L (SI units).
  • Newborn: 130–275 mg/dL.
  • Child: 203–360 mg/dL.

Transferrin saturation

  • Male: 20–50%.
  • Female: 15–50%.

What do the results mean?

Serum iron levels that are higher than normal may be related to many health conditions, including:

  • Genetic disorders that cause an increase in iron levels, such as hemosiderosis and hemochromatosis.
  • Iron poisoning.
  • Hemolytic anemia.
  • Liver diseases such as hepatitis and hepatic necrosis.
  • Lead poisoning.

Serum iron levels that are lower than normal may be related to:

  • Poor dietary iron intake.
  • Long-term blood loss.
  • Insufficient absorption of iron in the small intestine.
  • Pregnancy.
  • Iron-deficiency anemia.
  • Tumors.

Abnormally high TIBC or transferrin levels may be related to:

  • Estrogen therapy.
  • Pregnancy.
  • Polycythemia vera.
  • Iron-deficiency anemia.

Abnormally low TIBC or transferrin levels may indicate various conditions, including:

  • Malnutrition.
  • Hypoproteinemia.
  • Conditions that cause swelling (inflammation) throughout the body.
  • Cirrhosis of the liver.
  • Some anemias, including hemolytic, pernicious, and sickle cell anemias.

Talk with your health care provider about what your results mean.

Questions to ask your health care provider

Ask your health care provider, or the department that is doing the test:

  • When will my results be ready?
  • How will I get my results?
  • What are my treatment options?
  • What other tests do I need?
  • What are my next steps?

Summary

  • Iron level and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) tests may be used to diagnose iron-deficiency anemia, monitor treatment for iron-deficiency anemia, or monitor conditions that cause your body to break down red blood cells more quickly than normal.
  • These tests measure the amount of iron in your blood (serum iron level) and the amount of a type of protein called transferrin. Transferrin transports iron in your body so that the iron can become part of the hemoglobin in your red blood cells.
  • For this test, a blood sample is usually collected by inserting a needle into a blood vessel.
  • Talk with your health care provider about what your results mean.
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