AsseyMethod: Photo Colorimetric
Abbrevation: Transferrin
Sector: Biochemistry
SampleType: S,PE,PH
S.Vol: 0.3
Transport: at 2-8˚c, -20˚c
Storage: 5 days at 2-8˚c for longer time at -20˚c
Test Name: Transferrin Saturation
Normal Range: Normal>16%
To learn about your body's iron stores
When your doctor suspects you may have too much or too little iron in your body because of a variety of conditions
A blood sample taken from a vein in your arm
You may be instructed to fast for 12 hours before the test; in this case, only water is allowed.
Total Iron Binding Capacity, or TIBC, measures the total capacity of your blood to bind and transport iron, and therefore reflects your body's iron stores. TIBC correlates with the amount of the protein transferrin in your blood, available to bind iron. Transferrin is a protein that attaches iron molecules and transports iron in the blood plasma. Transferrin is largely made in the liver and regulates your body’s iron absorption into the blood. While the two tests (TIBC and transferrin) are different, they measure essentially the same thing and most laboratories only measure one or the other. A few laboratories are now measuring the number of sites on transferrin that are not already carrying iron; this is referred to as unsaturated iron binding capacity (UIBC). This number can be added to the serum iron to calculate the TIBC.
How is the sample collected for testing?
A blood sample is taken by needle from a vein in your arm.
Is any test preparation needed to ensure the quality of the sample?
You may be instructed to fast for 12 hours before the test; in this case, only water is allowed.