What does it mean when your TIBC is high?
A high TIBC, UIBC, or transferrin usually indicates iron deficiency, but they are also increased in pregnancy and with the use of oral contraceptives. A low TIBC, UIBC, or transferrin may also occur if someone has malnutrition, inflammation, liver disease, or nephrotic syndrome.
Why is TIBC high in Iron deficiency anemia?
In iron-deficient conditions, the relative transferrin content compared to iron content increases, and thus the TIBC values are high. The opposite happens in iron overloaded states of the body; the quantity of free transferrin in blood decreases, and consequently, TIBC values are low.
What is a normal TIBC level for a woman?
Normal results for TIBC are 250 to 450 mcg/dL for men and women. Some common causes for a low amount of iron in your blood include: Iron deficiency anemia.
What does it mean when your transferrin is high?
High transferrin means the liver is producing more of the protein to use all the iron available in the body. Low transferrin level means the body is absorbing more iron then needed.
How do you get TIBC?
TIBC is calculated by measuring serum iron and serum unsaturated iron-binding capacity and summing these values. The percentage saturation of transferrin with iron is calculated by dividing the serum iron concentration by the TIBC and multiplying by 100.
What should my TIBC be?
Normal Results Normal value range is: Iron: 60 to 170 micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL) or 10.74 to 30.43 micromoles per liter (micromol/L) TIBC: 240 to 450 mcg/dL or 42.96 to 80.55 micromol/L. Transferrin saturation: 20% to 50%
What does low TIBC and high ferritin mean?
High levels of TIBC indicate a low amount of iron “filling seats” on the bus. This is one way to tell if ferritin levels are elevated due to inflammation—a normal or high ferritin level coupled with high TIBC indicates inadequate intake of iron.
