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Alternative names Return to top
Total iron binding capacityDefinition Return to top
A blood test that measures the total iron binding capacity (TIBC) as an indirect measure of transferrin.How the test is performed Return to top
Blood is drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The puncture site is cleaned with antiseptic, and an elastic band is placed around the upper arm to apply pressure and restrict blood flow through the vein. This causes veins below the band to fill with blood. A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. During the procedure, the band is removed to restore circulation. Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.How to prepare for the test Return to top
Fast for 8 hours before the test.How the test will feel Return to top
When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.Why the test is performed Return to top
This test is usually performed when iron deficiency is suspected as a cause of anemia.
About 65% of the iron in the body is carried in hemoglobin (in the red blood cells) and about 4% in myoglobin (in skeletal muscle). About 30% of the iron in the body is stored as a substance called ferritin in the liver, bone marrow, and spleen. A small percentage of the body's iron is in transport, as part of a molecule called transferrin, traveling between various parts of the body via the blood stream.
A serum iron test actually measures the amount of iron in transferrin. Each transferrin molecule can carry 2 iron atoms, and normally, about 30% of the available "spaces" for iron are filled. By artificially filling up all the available spaces, doctors can measure the total iron binding capacity, or TIBC, of your blood. TIBC is usually higher-than-normal when the body's iron stores are low.
Normal Values Return to top
What abnormal results mean Return to top
Higher-than-normal TIBC may indicate:What the risks are Return to top
Risks associated with having blood drawn are slight:Special considerations Return to top
Drugs that can increase TIBC measurements include fluorides and oral contraceptives.
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Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |