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HelpTest Code TIBC Total Iron Binding Capacity, Serum
Specimen Required
Only orderable as part of profile. For more information see SFEC / Iron and Total Iron Binding Capacity, Serum
Patient Preparation:
1. Fasting (12 hours)
2. For 24 hours before collection, patient should not take iron-containing supplements.
Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube 5 mL (T914)
Container/Tube:
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Draw blood before noon (preferred).
2. Within 2 hours of collection, serum gel tubes should be centrifuged.
3. Within 2 hours of collection, red-top tubes should be centrifuged, and the serum aliquoted into a plastic vial.
Useful For
Screening for chronic iron overload diseases, particularly hereditary hemochromatosis
Method Name
Only orderable as part of profile. For more information see SFEC / Iron and Total Iron Binding Capacity, Serum
Turbidity/Calculation
Reporting Name
Total Iron Binding CapacitySpecimen Type
SerumSpecimen Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 21 days | |
| Frozen | 365 days |
Reference Values
Only orderable as part of profile. For more information see SFEC / Iron and Total Iron-Binding Capacity, Serum.
250-400 mcg/dL
Interpretation
Total iron-binding capacity concentrations are elevated in anemia of chronic disease and iron overload conditions.(1)
Total iron-binding capacity concentrations are decreased in iron deficiency, iron deficiency anemia, and iron-refractory iron deficiency anemia.(1)
Clinical Reference
1. Swinkels DW. Iron metabolism. In: Rifai N, Chiu RWK, Young I, Burnham CAD, Wittwer CT. Tietz Textbook of Laboratory Medicine. 7th ed. Elsevier, 2023:chap 40
2. Kowdley KV, Brown KE, Ahn J, Sundaram V. ACG Clinical Guideline: Hereditary Hemochromatosis. Am J Gastroenterol. 2019;114:1202-1218
3. Lopez A, Cacoub P, Macdougall IC, Peyrin-Biroulet L. Iron deficiency anemia. Lancet. 2016;387:907-916
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Sunday
Report Available
Same day/1 to 2 daysPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Test Classification
This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.CPT Code Information
83550
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| TIBC | Total Iron Binding Capacity | 2500-7 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| TIBC | Total Iron Binding Capacity | 2500-7 |