TIBC (Total Iron-Binding Capacity)
Measures how much iron your blood could carry. High TIBC indicates iron deficiency; low TIBC suggests iron overload or chronic disease.
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What is TIBC?
TIBC (total iron-binding capacity) measures the maximum amount of iron that transferrin — your blood's iron transport protein — can carry. It indirectly reflects how much transferrin is available.
When iron stores are low, your body makes more transferrin to capture every available iron molecule, raising TIBC. When iron is abundant, less transferrin is needed, lowering TIBC.
Normal Ranges
| TIBC Level | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| 250–400 µg/dL | Normal |
| Above 400 | Often iron deficiency |
| Below 250 | May indicate iron overload or chronic disease |
Why It Matters
Iron Deficiency Confirmation
High TIBC combined with low serum iron and low ferritin confirms iron deficiency anemia.
Distinguishing Causes of Anemia
TIBC helps differentiate iron deficiency (high TIBC) from anemia of chronic disease (low TIBC), which require different treatments.
Transferrin Saturation
Doctors often calculate transferrin saturation: (Serum Iron ÷ TIBC) × 100
- Normal: 20–50%
- Iron deficiency: Below 20%
- Iron overload: Above 50%