TIBC (Total Iron Binding Capacity) - the total iron binding capacity is a laboratory parameter, the examination of which may prove to be very useful in differentiating the causes of anemia, i.e. anemia. What are the standards for women and what are the standards for men? How to interpret the result below the norm?

TIBC( Total Iron Binding Capacity ,Total Iron Binding Capacity ) determines the maximum amount of iron, which is necessary to saturate the plasma protein - transferrin, which is the primary carrier of iron in the bloodstream.

Transferrin is a protein produced by the liver that transports iron in the plasma. Most of the iron that gets absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract is delivered by it to the bone marrow, where it is then used to produce hemoglobin.

How does the TIBC test work?

Taking a blood sample for TIBC testing does not differ from the standard procedure for collecting venous blood for laboratory testing.

It is important to fasting before the test - it is advisable to refrain from eating for at least 8-12 hours before the test.

It should be remembered that pregnancy and taking medications such as iron preparations, contraceptive pills and drugs containing fluoride may alter the result.

What is the TIBC standard?

Depending on the unit adopted by a given laboratory, the correct TIBC values ​​are within the following limits:

  • men: 45-70 μmol / l or 251-391 μg / dl
  • women: 40-80 μmol / l or 223-446 μg / dl

How to prepare for a blood test? [TOWIDEO]

What does the TIBC result tell us?

The total iron binding capacity allows us to indirectly determine the concentration of transferrin. This, in turn, can tell a lot about the economy of this element in our body.

In iron deficiency anemia, the liver produces more transferrin to increase the capacity for free iron uptake, the pool of which is reduced. The iron-binding capacity (TIBC) will be higher in this case.

In the case of anemia of chronic diseases (a type of anemia occurring, among others, in neoplastic diseases, systemic diseases or long-lasting infections), the body strives to store iron resourcesmediated by the ferritin protein, which increases significantly.

Transferrin, in turn, is produced in less quantity to reduce the amount of readily available iron for the metabolism of the "potential enemy". TIBC will therefore be reduced.

Thanks to this regularity, ferritin belongs to the group of so-called positive, and transferrin to acute phase negative proteins.

The TIBC value is also reduced in the state of excess iron (transferrin is then highly saturated), which include can cause:

  • hemochromatosis
  • haemolytic anemia (a large amount of iron derived from the hemoglobin of disintegrating erythrocytes)
  • frequent transfusions
  • iron poisoning
  • diseases with liver damage

In the vast majority of cases, a basic blood count is sufficient to identify the most common microcytic hypochromic iron deficiency anemia, so TIBC is not performed routinely.

However, in certain circumstances where it is important to accurately determine the underlying cause of anemia, it may be useful to measure the iron-binding capacity.

It is usually performed together with other parameters that allow to assess iron management, such as:

  • serum iron concentration (Fe)
  • transferrin saturation (Tfs)
  • latent iron binding capacity (UIBC)
  • soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) concentration.

Also read:

  • What is the role of iron in the body?
  • How to correct iron malabsorption
  • Iron-rich weekly menu

Category:

Research