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Iron + TIBC

Fe and TIBC, Iron Profile, Iron and Total Iron Binding Capacity, Transferrin Saturation, Iron and Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC), FETRF

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB8290

Department

Chemistry

Instructions

Serum iron is highest in the morning and declines gradually during the day. Patients should wait at least 6 to 8 hours following iron ingestion or preferably be fasting before having blood drawn. Patients who have had parenteral iron administration should not have blood drawn for at least 48 hours after the injection.

Specimen Collection Criteria

FOR EC AND INPATIENT SAMPLE COLLECTION ONLY:

Preferred Sample:  One Light Green (Mint) Top or Dark Green with Yellow Ring Top Plasma Separator Tube (PST).  Minimum Whole Blood: 4.0 mL

FOR OUTREACH/OUTPATIENT SAMPLE COLLECTION ONLY:

Collect: One Gold-top SST tube. (Minimum Whole Blood 4.0 mL) Contact Laboratory for acceptability of other tube types. See Minimum Pediatric Specimen Requirements for Microtainer® collection. 

Contact Laboratory for acceptability of other tube types.
See Minimum Pediatric Specimen Requirements for Microtainer^® collection.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Let SST specimens clot 30-60 minutes then immediately centrifuge to separate serum from cells. Refrigerate (2-8°C or 36-46°F) the centrifuged SST tube within two hours of collection. (Minimum: 0.5 mL)

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: Centrifuged SST tube refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F). (Minimum: 0.5 mL)

Rejection Criteria

• Moderate to grossly hemolyzed specimens.
• Red-top tubes with serum not separated from cells within two hours of collection.

In-Lab Processing

Let SST specimens clot 30-60 minutes. Centrifuge SST tubes or Microtainers^® to separate serum from cells. Deliver immediately to the appropriate testing station.

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Centrifuged SST Tubes and Microtainers^® with Separator Gel
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 4 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable

Red-top Tubes and Microtainers^® without Separator Gel
Room Temperature (20-25°C or 68-77°F): 4 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): Unacceptable
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable

Serum Specimens (Pour-Overs)
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 4 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 7 days

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 5 days

Laboratory

Dearborn Chemistry Laboratory
Royal Oak Automated Chemistry Laboratory 
Troy Chemistry Laboratory

Performed

Sunday – Saturday, 24 hours a day.
STAT results (for suspected poisoning cases only) available within 1 hour of receipt in the Laboratory.
Routine results available within 4 hours. 

Reference Range

Iron Female: 50-170 mcg/dL.
Iron Male: 65-175 mcg/dL.
Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC): 250-425 mcg/dL.

% Saturation: 15-50%. 

Test Methodology

Spectrophotometry and Immunotubimetric.

Interpretation

• Decreased serum iron levels are seen in patients who have iron deficiency due to blood loss or dietary deficiency, acute or chronic inflammatory disorders or malignant disorders.
• Increased serum iron concentrations are found in patients who have recently received medicinal iron, increased iron storage (hemosiderosis or hemochromatosis) and in acute hepatitis.
• TIBC is usually normal or increased in persons who are iron deficient, pregnant, or taking oral contraceptive medications.
• Decreased TIBC levels are seen in patients with chronic inflammatory processes or with malignancies.

Clinical Utility

This assay is used in the evaluation of iron deficiency, hemochromatosis and to verify acute iron poisoning.

CPT Codes

83540, 84466.

Contacts

Last Updated

6/4/2025