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22803 Iron, Total Iron Binding Capacity and % Saturation, Serum

Iron, Total Iron Binding Capacity and % Saturation, Serum
Test Code: FETIBC
Synonyms/Keywords
 FETIBC, Transferrin Saturation​
Test Components
Includes serum iron, serum total iron-binding capacity and a calculated percent iron (transferrin) saturation. ​
Useful For
Alterations in iron and total iron binding capacity (IBCT) levels result from changes in iron intake, absorption, storage, and release mechanisms.  Iron is decreased in iron deficiency, acute and chronic infection, and in malignancy.  In iron deficiency, transferrin levels are usually increased, giving low percent saturation levels, whereas in the anemia of chronic infection and inflammation, IBCT levels are normal or decreased giving a normal percent saturation.  Iron overload with a high percent saturation may occur in hematochromatosis, anemia with increased, but ineffective erythropoiesis (thallassemia major and siderosis), alcoholic liver disease, and dietary or IV overdose. ​
Specimen Requirements
Fasting Required Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
No​ Serum/ Plasma​ Serum Separator Tube (SST), Lithium-heparin Plasma Separator (PST)​
Red Top Tube (RTT),
Lithium or Sodium-heparin Green Top (GTT)
 1 mL​ 0.3 mL​ ​
Collection Processing Instructions
It is recommended that heparinized plasma samples be removed from contact from cells within 2 hours of collection. 
Samples collected in a RTT must be removed from clot within one hour for storage or transport. ​
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
Serum/ Plasma​ ​ Refrigerate​ 2 days​
Frozen​ 1 year​
Rejection Criteria
Hemolyzed samples
Interference
Hemolysis may cause falsely elevated results.
Ingestion of oral contraceptives will elevate iron and/or total iron binding capacity values.
Iron-dextran administration can cause elevations in total serum iron with this methodology.​
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
Marshfield​ Monday through Sunday​ Less than 2 hours​ TPTZ Endpoint Assay/Beckman AU
​Stevens Point ​Monday through Friday ​Less than 2 hours ​IRON and TIBC methods/Siemens Dimension
Test Information
Do not order FE or TIBC separately when requesting this test.​
Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
 Marshfield ​
Iron:                      0-14 yr:   24 - 152 µg/dL
       Female:     14 - <19 yr:   29 – 191 µg/dL
       Male:         14 - <19 yr:   41 – 197 µg/dL
                                Adult:   42 – 173 µg/dL                            
Iron Binding Capacity: 260-420 ug/dL
  % Saturation:            13 – 50%
​All Performing Sites using Dimension
Iron:                           40-160 ug/dL
​Iron Binding Capacity:  250-450 ug/dL
% Saturation:               14-48%
Interpretation
All calculations are performed by the lab computer and are shown below:
  Calculated TIBC (CIBC) in ug/dL = 1.4 x Transferrin (Non-Reporting) in mg/dL
  Percent Saturation = 100 x Serum Iron / Calculated TIBC  ​
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
83540​ ​ ​ Iron  ​ ​
 83550​ ​ ​ Iron binding capacity ​ ​
Synonyms/Keywords
 FETIBC, Transferrin Saturation​
Test Components
Includes serum iron, serum total iron-binding capacity and a calculated percent iron (transferrin) saturation. ​
Ordering Applications
Ordering Application Description
​Centricity ​Iron, TIBC, & Sat.
​Cerner ​Iron, TIBC, and Saturation
​COM ​Iron, TIBC, & Saturation
If the ordering application you are looking for is not listed, contact your local laboratory for assistance.
Specimen Requirements
Fasting Required Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
No​ Serum/ Plasma​ Serum Separator Tube (SST), Lithium-heparin Plasma Separator (PST)​
Red Top Tube (RTT),
Lithium or Sodium-heparin Green Top (GTT)
 1 mL​ 0.3 mL​ ​
Collection Processing
It is recommended that heparinized plasma samples be removed from contact from cells within 2 hours of collection. 
Samples collected in a RTT must be removed from clot within one hour for storage or transport. ​
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
Serum/ Plasma​ ​ Refrigerate​ 2 days​
Frozen​ 1 year​
Rejection Criteria
Hemolyzed samples
Interference
Hemolysis may cause falsely elevated results.
Ingestion of oral contraceptives will elevate iron and/or total iron binding capacity values.
Iron-dextran administration can cause elevations in total serum iron with this methodology.​
Useful For
Alterations in iron and total iron binding capacity (IBCT) levels result from changes in iron intake, absorption, storage, and release mechanisms.  Iron is decreased in iron deficiency, acute and chronic infection, and in malignancy.  In iron deficiency, transferrin levels are usually increased, giving low percent saturation levels, whereas in the anemia of chronic infection and inflammation, IBCT levels are normal or decreased giving a normal percent saturation.  Iron overload with a high percent saturation may occur in hematochromatosis, anemia with increased, but ineffective erythropoiesis (thallassemia major and siderosis), alcoholic liver disease, and dietary or IV overdose. ​
Test Components
Includes serum iron, serum total iron-binding capacity and a calculated percent iron (transferrin) saturation. ​
Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
 Marshfield ​
Iron:                      0-14 yr:   24 - 152 µg/dL
       Female:     14 - <19 yr:   29 – 191 µg/dL
       Male:         14 - <19 yr:   41 – 197 µg/dL
                                Adult:   42 – 173 µg/dL                            
Iron Binding Capacity: 260-420 ug/dL
  % Saturation:            13 – 50%
​All Performing Sites using Dimension
Iron:                           40-160 ug/dL
​Iron Binding Capacity:  250-450 ug/dL
% Saturation:               14-48%
Interpretation
All calculations are performed by the lab computer and are shown below:
  Calculated TIBC (CIBC) in ug/dL = 1.4 x Transferrin (Non-Reporting) in mg/dL
  Percent Saturation = 100 x Serum Iron / Calculated TIBC  ​
For more information visit:
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
Marshfield​ Monday through Sunday​ Less than 2 hours​ TPTZ Endpoint Assay/Beckman AU
​Stevens Point ​Monday through Friday ​Less than 2 hours ​IRON and TIBC methods/Siemens Dimension
For billing questions, see Contacts
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
83540​ ​ ​ Iron  ​ ​
 83550​ ​ ​ Iron binding capacity ​ ​
For most current information refer to the Marshfield Laboratory online reference manual.