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Total Fe Binding Cap (TIB)

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EPIC Test Name

TOTAL FE BINDING CAPACITY

EPIC Code

LAB829

Specimen Requirements

plasma
Minimum Volume:0.5 mL
Collection:Collect using standard laboratory procedures
Transport:Room Temperature ASAP
Stability:Room Temperature: 7 days at 15-25 degrees C
Refrigerated: 8 days at 2-8 degrees C
Frozen: 6 months at -15 to -25 degrees C
Container:LT GRN
Processing/Storage:Centrifuge, pour off, and refrigerate plasma.
Rejection Causes:Hemolysis,
Insufficient Sample Volume, lipemic samples

Methods

Colorimetric assay
Calculated
Immunoturbidimetric

Turnaround Time

SpecimenTurnaround TimeFrequency
plasmaRoutine: 4 hours24/7

Reference Ranges

FE - Colorimetric assay
AgeMale RangeFemale RangeUnit
0 years up to 14 years16-128 ug/dL16-128 ug/dLug/dL
14 years up to 19 years31-168 ug/dL20-162 ug/dL
19 years up to 999 years59-158 ug/dL37-145 ug/dL
FESA - Calculated
All RangeUnit
20-55 %%
TIBC - Calculated
All RangeUnit
278 - 500 ug/dLug/dL
TRANF - Immunoturbidimetric
All RangeUnit
200-360 mg/dLmg/dL

Clinical Indications

TIBC is used in assessing the capacity of transferrin in binding and transporting iron in the circulation. Transferrin (MW 79.6 kDa) is the principal transport protein for iron (Fe3+). It is synthesized in the liver and reticuloendothelial system, with a half-life of 8-10 days in the circulation. One molecule of Transferrin can reversibly bind two ferric (Fe3+) ions and the cellular delivery of iron occurs via receptor-mediated endocytosis. Apotransferrin (without iron) is then recycled back into the circulation. Transferrin’s iron binding affinity is affected by pH, i.e., high affinity at physiologic pH but lower affinity at decreased pH in the edosome allowing release of iron intracellularly.
In healty subjects, approximately one-third of the Fe-binding sites of transferrin are occupied by Fe3+ and transferrin has a large reserve Fe-binding capacity. TIBC can be calculated from transferrin concentraction [TIBC (microgram/dL) = transferrin (mg/dL) x 1.41 = transferrin (g/dL) x 25.5]. The serum transferrin or total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) varies in iron disorders. In patients with Fe overload, e.g., Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) and iron loading anemia, the TIBC or transferrin is decreased. Whereas, in patients with iron deficiency anemia, transferrin and TIBC increase.

Common Synonyms

TIBC Total Iron Binding Capacity TIB

Performed

Lab
Chemistry - Downtown

Interpretative Information

• In patients with hereditary hemochromatosis, both serum iron and transferrin saturation (TSAT) are elevated, but transferrin or TIBC can be in low or reference range. Geneti analysis is condiserd as the fefinitive meaure for establishing diagnosis.
• In patients with iorn deficiency, transferrin or TIBC are elevated. Ferritin test should also be order for diagnosis.

CPT

83550
83540

LOINC

50190-8

References

1. Bachmann-Harildstad G. Diagnostic values of beta-2 transferrin and beta-trace protein as markers for cerebrospinal fluid fistula. Rhinology. 2008;46(2):82-5. PMID: 18575006.
2. Mantur M, Lukaszewicz-Zajac M, Mroczko B, KuÅ‚akowska A, Ganslandt O, Kemona H, et al. Cerebrospinal fluid leakage—reliable diagnostic methods. Clin Chim Acta 2011;412:837–40. PMID: 21334321.
3. Cappellini MD, Lo SF, Swinkels DW. Hemoglobin, iron, bilirubin. In Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry. Edited by N Rifai, AR Norwath and C Wittwer, 6 ed. St. Louis, Missouri, Elsevirer Inc, 2018, pp 719-75. ISBN: 978-0-323-35921-4
4. Ramsay WN: The determination of the total iron binding capacity of serum. 1957. Clin Chim Acta 1997;259:25-30. PMID: 9086291.
5. Markowitz H, Fairbanks VF: Transferrin assay and total iron binding capacity. Mayo Clin Proc 1983;58:827-828
6. Szoke D, Panteghini M: Diagnostic value of transferrin. Clin Chim Acta 2012;413:1184-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cca.2012.04.021

Contact Information

Chemistry - Downtown: (315)464-4460
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