Test Code 1042
Test Details
UIBC
Unsaturated Iron Binding Capacity
Methodology
Colorimetric
Patient Preparation
None
Preferred Specimen
1.0 mL serum (0.5 mL minimum) collected in serum separator tube (SST / Tiger Top)
Transport Temperature
Refrigerated (ship on frozen cold packs)
Stability
Refrigerated: 7 days
Lab Values
UIBC
- Low: <112 µg/dL
- Normal: 112-347 µg/dL
- High: >347 µg/dL
Clinical Significance
UIBC
- To assess the body’s ability to transport iron in the blood.
- 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
- Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC) measures the levels of transferrin bound with iron; whereas Unsaturated Iron Binding Capacity (UIBC) measures levels of transferrin that has not bound iron.
- It is customary to test for transferrin (instead of TIBC or UIBC) when evaluating a person’s nutritional status or liver function.
Treatment Options
UIBC
Treatment is based on etiology of elevation.
