Iron & Total Iron-Binding Capacity (TIBC)

Item Catalog Number: LC001321

Iron plays a principle role in the synthesis of red blood cells. It is necessary for proliferation of red cells and is required for hemoglobin production. Of the body’s normal 4 grams of iron, approximately 65% resides in red blood cells.

A small amount is also found in muscle and in cellular enzymes throughout the body’s tissues. Any remaining iron is stored mostly in the liver as ferritin.

Low levels of iron are associated with iron deficiency anemia. Anemia is associated with fatigue, low energy and, in some cases, can manifest as muscle aches and headaches. High levels of iron are associated with liver disease, kidney disease and vitamin B6 deficiency.

Iron is transported in the blood as transferrin, a major transport protein. Transferrin carries 60-70% of the body’s iron. The total amount of iron bound to transferrin is referred to as total iron-binding capacity (TIBC). TIBC will help your doctor differentiate between different types of anemia.

TIBC is low with iron deficiency anemia and high with anemia of chronic disease. TIBC is also used to help doctors diagnose iron overload, which is called hemochromatosis.

This is a fasting blood test that should be drawn in the morning because of the normal daily fluctuations of iron. Iron measurements following blood donations or transfusions should be delayed for one week. Do not eat the morning of the test. Take all medications as prescribed. Do not take your supplements the morning of the blood draw.