TIBC Test

A total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) test is a blood test to see if you have too much or too little iron in your blood measures the blood’s ability to attach itself to iron and transport it around the body. Iron moves through the blood attached to a protein called transferrin. If you have iron deficiency (a lack of iron in your blood), your iron level will be low but your TIBC will be high. Total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) is a test that helps your health care provider know how well that protein can carry iron in your blood.

How the Test is Performed

A blood sample is needed.

How to Prepare for the Test

You should not eat or drink for 8 hours before the test.

Certain medicines may affect the result of this test. Your provider will tell you if you need to stop taking any medicines. DO NOT stop any medicine before talking to your provider.

Medicines that can affect the test result include:

  • Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
  • Birth control pills
  • Chloramphenicol
  • Fluorides

How the Test will Feel

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or a slight bruise. This soon goes away.

Why the Test is Performed

Your provider may recommend this test if:

  • You have signs or symptoms of anemia due to low iron.
  • Other lab tests suggest you have anemia due to low iron levels

Normal Results

The normal value range is:

  • Iron: 60 to 170 micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL) or 10.74 to 30.43 micromoles per liter (micromol/L)
  • TIBC: 240 to 450 mcg/dL or 42.96 to 80.55 micromol/L
  • Transferrin saturation: 20% to 50%
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The numbers above are common measurements for the results of these tests. Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.

What Abnormal Results Mean

TIBC is usually higher than normal when the body’s iron supplies are low. This can occur with:

  • Iron deficiency anemia
  • Pregnancy (late)

Lower-than-normal TIBC may mean:

  • Anemia is due to red blood cells being destroyed too quickly ( hemolytic anemia )
  • A lower-than-normal level of protein in the blood (hypoproteinemia)
  • Inflammation
  • Liver diseases, such as cirrhosis
  • Malnutrition
  • Decrease in red blood cells from the intestines not properly absorbing vitamin B12 ( pernicious anemia )
  • Sickle cell anemia

Risks

There is very little risk involved with having your blood taken. Veins and arteries vary in size from one person to another and from one side of the body to the other. Taking blood from some people may be more difficult than from others.

Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight, but may include:

  • Excessive bleeding
  • Fainting or feeling lightheaded
  • Hematoma (blood buildup under the skin)
  • Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)

FAQ

What does it mean if total iron-binding capacity is high?

  • High TIBC means that you have low levels of iron. When there isn’t much iron to attach to, you’ll have a lot of free transferrin in your blood. Low iron levels can lead to iron deficiency anemia, a condition in which your body doesn’t have enough iron to make healthy red blood cells.
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What is the total iron-binding capacity in a blood test?

  • Total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) is a blood test to see if you have too much or too little iron in your blood. Iron moves through the blood attached to a protein called transferrin. This test helps your health care provider know how well that protein can carry iron in your blood.

What does it mean if my TIBC is low?

  • The most common cause of low TIBC is excess iron in the body. Iron overload can happen due to poisoning or in some hereditary disorders, such as hemochromatosis, thalassemia, or sickle cell anemia [7, 8]. However, not everyone with iron overload will have low TIBC.

What is a good total iron-binding capacity?

  • Normal values for the TIBC test can vary among laboratories. However, most laboratories define a normal range for adults as 250 to 450 micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL). A TIBC value above 450 mcg/dL usually means that there’s a low level of iron in your blood.

What is a good total iron binding capacity?

  • Normal values for the TIBC test can vary among laboratories. However, most laboratories define a normal range for adults as 250 to 450 micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL). A TIBC value above 450 mcg/dL usually means that there’s a low level of iron in your blood.

How is low iron binding capacity treated?

  • A person with a low iron saturation level may need to take medicinal iron to increase their saturation level. Medicinal iron contains more iron than multivitamins. Most adults with iron deficiency require 2–5 mg of iron per kilogram of body weight per day.
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How can I increase my iron binding capacity naturally?

  • To maximize your iron intake, try to include meat, fish, poultry, beans and lentils in your diet, as well as vitamin C-rich foods during your meals. Also, spread out your tea, coffee and dairy intakes between meals.
  • A high TIBC, UIBC, or transferrin usually indicates iron deficiency, but they are also increased in pregnancy and with the use of oral contraceptives. A low TIBC, UIBC, or transferrin may also occur if someone has malnutrition, inflammation, liver disease, or nephrotic syndrome.