http://www.heftpathology.com/item/unsaturated-iron-binding-capacity-uibc.

html

Preferred Sample Type

Suitable Specimen Types

 Serum
 Li Hep Plasma

1 mL blood

Sample Processing in Laboratory

Usual

Sample Preparation

Centrifuge

Turnaround Time
1 day

Sample Stability

4 ºC

Unsaturated Iron Binding Capacity (UIBC)

General Information

Iron binding capacity measurements are used in the diagnosis and treatment of anaemias.
Serum iron is carried by binding to the transport protein, Transferrin. The measurement of the
maximum concentration of iron that Transferrin can bind is called the Total Iron Binding
Capacity (TIBC). Normally, only about one third of the iron binding sites of Transferrin are
occupied by Fe (III); therefore, serum has considerable reserve iron binding capacity. This is
called the serum Unsaturated Iron Binding Capacity (UIBC). Total Iron Binding Capacity
equals the Unsaturated Iron Binding Capacity plus serum iron: TIBC = UIBC + Serum Iron.

Transferrin saturation and UIBC have equal reliability in ability to predict hemochromatosis..
Unsaturated iron binding capacity (UIBC) is an inexpensive alternative to transferrin
saturation for detection of hereditary hemochromatosis.
Patient Preparation

None

Notes

Haemolysis and Lipaemia cause interference in this assay

Reference Range

UIBC: 12-43 µmol/L (Males), 13-56 µmol/L (Females)

(Source : Abbott Diagnostics)

TIBC: 45-72 µmol/L (TIBC = Iron + UIBC)

For diagnostic purposes, UIBC should always be assessed in conjunction with the patient’s
medical history, clinical examinations and other findings.

Specifications
 EQA Scheme?: Yes
 EQA Status:

NEQAS

Link to Further Information

https://pinboard.in/u:duty_biochemist/t:UIBC/

Related Tests
Iron (Serum) | Ferritin

Date Record Created

Monday, 08 August 2011

Date last updated

Thursday, 08 October 2015

Review Date
Saturday, 29 June 2024

https://www.diasys-diagnostics.com/service-area/support/reference-ranges/analyte/unsaturated-
iron-binding-capacity-uibc/analyte.show
Unsaturated iron binding capacity (UIBC)

The measurement of unsaturated iron binding capacity (UIBC) in combination with serum
iron is a useful diagnostic tool in the determination of various iron disorders.

Reference Ranges
120 – 470 µg/dL 21 – 84 µmol/L

Each laboratory should check if the reference ranges are transferable to its own patient population
and determine own reference ranges if necessary. For diagnostic purposes, the results should always
be assessed with the patient’s medical history, clinical examinations and other findings.

Increased in
1. Iron deficiency

Decreased in
1. Chronic inflammatory disorders

UIBC is used for calculation of TIBC: TIBC [µg/dL] = UIBC [µg/dL] + Iron [µg/dL]

https://www.dovemed.com/common-procedures/procedures-laboratory/tibc-uibc-transferrin-
blood-test/

What are the other Names for this Test? (Equivalent Terms)
 IBC Blood Test
 Iron Binding Capacity Blood Test

 Siderophilin Blood Test

What is TIBC & UIBC, Transferrin Blood Test? (Background Information)

 Ionic iron, Fe2+, is a needed for proper red blood cells (RBCs) function. RBCs primarily
transport oxygen from the lungs, to the rest of the body
 Freely dissolved Fe2+ is very toxic. Virtually no Fe2+ floats around in blood; instead, iron is
bound by proteins, such as ferritin, transferrin, and hemoglobin

o Ferritin is found inside cells and provides in-cell storage of iron

o Transferrin migrates through blood and transports iron, between body sites

o Other carrier proteins exist, but transferrin carries up to 70% of the iron in blood

 Total iron binding capacity (TIBC) refers to the total amount of iron being carried through
blood. Though proteins other than transferrin contribute to TIBC, TIBC is often used
interchangeably with transferrin
  Unlike ferritin and transferrin, hemoglobin (Hb) is more than a storage or carrier for iron. Hb
is an oxygen-carrying protein comprising 96% of the dry weight of RBCs. Iron is at the center
of hemoglobin function

 Iron provides structural support to hemoglobin. More importantly, however, it facilitates the
change in structure that accompanies binding of oxygen by hemoglobin. This structural
change allows further binding of oxygen to occur more easily, a trait termed cooperativity

 The cooperativity allowed by iron in Hb is important to RBC’s ability to oxygenate tissues,

because it allows for small changes in oxygen levels to have a large effect on RBCs’ binding
effectiveness. In other words, it makes the process more like an ‘on/off’ switch and less like
a dimmer switch

 The Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC), Unsaturated Iron Binding Capacity (UIBC), and
Transferrin Tests are blood tests to assess an individual’s iron levels and their ability to
transport iron throughout their body

o Serum Iron Test - measures levels of dissolved Fe2+ in blood plasma

o Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC) Test - measures the levels of transferrin bound
with iron

o Unsaturated Iron Binding Capacity (UIBC) Test - measures levels of transferrin that
has not bound iron

o Iron Saturation - measures the percentage of iron bound to transferrin. It is

calculated by dividing the serum iron value by the TIBC value, and multiplying by
100. An inverse of this value indicates the transferrin saturation 

What are the Clinical Indications for performing the TIBC & UIBC, Transferrin Blood
Test?

Following are the clinical indications for performing the Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC),
Unsaturated Iron Binding Capacity (UIBC), and Transferrin Blood Tests:

 Testing for anemia, which is marked by:

o Fatigue

o Pale skin

o Dizziness

o Shortness of breath

 Testing for iron toxicity, which is marked by:

o Heart abnormalities

o Joint pain

o Loss of libido

o Nausea and vomiting

o Abdominal pain
  Differentiating between iron-deficiency anemia and anemia, secondary to chronic disease

 As a follow-up to other iron tests 

How is the Specimen Collected for TIBC & UIBC, Transferrin Blood Test?

Following is the specimen collection process for Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC),
Unsaturated Iron Binding Capacity (UIBC), and Transferrin Blood Test:

Sample required: Blood

Process: Insertion of a needle into an arm vein.

Preparation required: No special preparation is needed prior to the test. 

What is the Significance of the TIBC & UIBC, Transferrin Blood Test Result?

The significance of Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC), Unsaturated Iron Binding Capacity
(UIBC), and Transferrin Blood Test is explained: 

Elevated serum iron may indicate:

 Iron toxicity
 Hemolytic anemia

 Sideroblastic anemia

 Hemochromatosis 

Decreased serum iron may indicate:

 Iron deficiency in the diet

 Inability to absorb iron

 Chronic infection or illness 

Elevated total iron binding capacity (TIBC) may indicate:

 Iron deficiency in the diet

 Inability to absorb iron 

Decreased total iron binding capacity (TIBC) may indicate:

 Hemochromatosis
 Chronic infection or illness 

Elevated unsaturated iron binding capacity (UIBC) may indicate:

 Iron deficiency in the diet

 Inability to absorb iron 
Decreased unsaturated iron binding capacity (UIBC) may indicate:

 Hemochromatosis
 Chronic infection or illness

 Hemolytic anemia

 Sideroblastic anemia

 Iron toxicity 

Elevated transferrin saturation may indicate:

 Hemochromatosis
 Hemolytic anemia

 Sideroblastic anemia

 Iron toxicity 

Decreased transferrin saturation may indicate:

 Iron deficiency in the diet

 Inability to absorb iron

 Chronic infection or illness 

The laboratory test results are NOT to be interpreted as results of a "stand-alone" test. The
test results have to be interpreted after correlating with suitable clinical findings and
additional supplemental tests/information. Your healthcare providers will explain the
meaning of your tests results, based on the overall clinical scenario. 

Additional and Relevant Useful Information:

 Only about 10% of dietary iron is actually absorbed in the body
 Due to the body’s ability to store iron, supplementation with iron may result in iron overload
and toxicity

 Foods rich in iron include - red meats, egg yolks, liver, and dark green vegetables 

Certain medications that you may be currently taking may influence the outcome of the test.
Hence, it is important to inform your healthcare provider, the complete list of medications
(including any herbal supplements) you are currently taking. This will help the healthcare
provider interpret your test results more accurately and avoid unnecessary chances of a
misdiagnosis. 

What are some Useful Resources for Additional Information?

DoveMed is currently working to bring you additional resources.

Please sign up by creating a DoveMed account to receive periodic notification on information

updates. 
References and Information Sources used for the Article:

American Red Cross (n.d.). Iron rich foods. Retrieved from

http://www.redcrossblood.org/learn-about-blood/health-and-wellness/iron-rich-foods

Arizona State University (n.d.). Hemoglobin: Cooperativity and binding. Retrieved from

http://www.public.asu.edu/~laserweb/woodbury/classes/chm341/lecture_set5/hemoglobin/he
moglob.htm

Goodsell, D. (2002, November). Ferritin and transferrin. Retrieved from

http://www.rcsb.org/pdb/101/motm.do?momID=35

Lab Tests Online (2013, May 28). Retrieved Oct 15, 2014 from
http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/tibc/

Martini, F., Nath, J. L., & Bartholomew, E. F. (2012). Fundamentals of anatomy &

physiology (9th ed.). San Francisco: Benjamin Cummings.

Schnell, Z. B., Van, L. A., & Kranpitz, T. R. (2003). Davis's Comprehensive handbook of

laboratory and diagnostic tests: With nursing implications. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis.

Reviewed and Approved by a member of the DoveMed Editorial Board

First uploaded: Oct. 26, 2014
Last updated: Oct. 12, 2015