After The Test & Treatment Options
After the Test
Once your specimen is submitted, results are typically processed and available within a few business days. However, processing times may vary. When ready, your results will be delivered in a clear, easy-to-understand report. If any results suggest a potential infection, you’ll receive a call from an independent healthcare coordinator. Independent physicians are also available to answer any questions or discuss your results in detail.
Treatment Options
As part of your purchase, you have the opportunity to consult with an independent physician. If appropriate, they may be able to prescribe treatment based on your test results.
Age: 18+
Must be 18+ to order blood tests.
Collection Method
In person at a location
Test Details & What It Measures
The Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC) test measures how well your blood can carry iron. It does this by estimating the amount of transferrin, a protein that binds to iron and transports it throughout the body. TIBC is an important test often done alongside serum iron and ferritin to evaluate iron levels and investigate causes of anemia or other iron-related disorders. A high TIBC typically means there isn’t enough iron in the blood—your body is producing more transferrin to try and capture as much iron as possible, which is a common sign of iron deficiency anemia. On the other hand, a low TIBC can suggest that your body has too much iron, which may occur in conditions like hemochromatosis, liver disease, or inflammation.
Normal TIBC values typically range from 250 to 450 micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL). When evaluated with other iron studies, TIBC helps give a clearer picture of how much usable iron is available and whether there is too little or too much in the body.
Citations
Camaschella, C. (2015). Iron-deficiency anemia. New England Journal of Medicine, 372(19), 1832–1843.
https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMra1401038
