Total Iron- Binding Capacity
Synonyms - Specimen - Reference Value - Method - Description - Indication - Interpretation
Synonyms : TIBC, Fe sat
Specimen : Serum
Reference Value : transferrin 200 - 380 mg/dL , Iron saturation 20 - 50 % c
METHOD
Spectrophotometry for TIBC and nephelometry for transferrin
DESCRIPTION
Iron travels in the blood stream bound to transport proteins . Transferrin ( which is synthesized in the liver )is the major iron - transport protein , carrying 60 to 70 percent of the body's iron .For this reasons ,total iron binding capacity (TIBC)And transferrin are sometimes referred to interchangeably. Unbound iron is highly toxic , but there is generally an excess of transferrin available to prevent the buildup of unbound iron in circulation . The percentage of iron saturation is calculated by dividing the serun iron value by the TIBC value and multiplying by 100 . Total iron capacity is calculated from transferr levels measured immunologically
Indication
1 - Assist in the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia
2 - Differentiation between iron deficiency anemia and anemia secondary to chronic disease
3 - Monitor hematologic response to therapy during pregnancy and iron deficiency anemias
4 - Provide support for diagnostic of hemochromatosis or disorder of iron metabolism of iron metabolism and storage
Interpretation
TIBC I increased in
1 - Acute liver disease
2 - Hypochromic anemia
3 - Late Pregnancy
Decreased in
Chronic infection
Cirrhosis - Hemochromatosis
Hemolytic anemia
Protein depletion
Renal disease
Thalassemia - Sideroblastic anemia