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Test Name: TIBC, Blood

Specimen Type: Serum

Specimen Required: 3-5 Cc Yellow Top Gel Vial

Day Performed: Daily

Reporting Time: 8 Hours  STAT Reporting Time: 120 MINUTES

Methodology: Beckman Coulter AU480

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE:

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

References:

  1. Brittenham GM. Disorders of iron homeostasis: iron deficiency and overload. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Silberstein LE, et al, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018: chap 36.
  2. Markell M, Siddiqi HA. Vitamins and trace elements. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry’s Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022: chap 27.
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