Total Iron Binding Capacity

Test Code

TIBCP

Alias/See Also

TIBC, IBCT

Includes

Iron, Iron Binding, Transferrin Saturation

Preferred Specimen

1.0 mL plasma (0.5 mL minimum)

Transport Container

PST (light green top). Red Top and SST also acceptable

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 8 hours, Refrigerated: 7 days, Frozen: 6 months

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Grossly hemolyzed specimens are unacceptable.

Report Available

24 hours

Limitations

Measurements of IBCT may be inaccurate if performed within 14 days of IV iron dextran administration.

Reference Range

TIBC:

Age	Female	Male
Adult (>18 years):	250 – 450 µg/dL	250 – 450 µg/dL
Pediatric:
0 – 90 days	165-275	155-330
3 – 12 months	250-455	150-380
13 months – 3 years	160-415	215-420
4 – 10 years	260-385	185-415
11 – 14 years	250-420	265-410
15 – 18 years	285-410	270-415

Transferring Saturation 20 - 50%

Clinical Significance

Total iron binding capacity (IBCT) is a measure of the serum transferrin iron binding capacity. Measurements of serum iron and total iron binding capacity are widely used in the diagnosis and treatment of iron deficiency anemia and chronic inflammatory disorders.

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.