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Test Code FETIBC Iron, Total Iron Binding Capacity and % Saturation, Serum

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. 

Synonyms/Keywords

 FETIBC, Transferrin Saturation

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

Test Components

Includes serum iron, serum total iron-binding capacity and a calculated percent iron (transferrin) saturation.

Test Information

Do not order FE or TIBC separately when requesting this test.

Interferences

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.

Interpretations

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 

Reference Range Information

Performing Location Reference Range
All Performing Sites using Beckman AU

Iron: 0-14 yr:   24 - 152 ug/dL       

Female: 14 - <19 yr:   29 - 191 ug/dL       

Male: 14 - <19 yr:   41 - 197 ug/dL                                

Adult: 42 - 173 g/dL                            

 

Iron Binding Capacity: 260-420 ug/dL   

% Saturation: 13 - 50%

Marshfield Labs Performing Department

Marshfield Labs Chemistry

Performing Information

Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
Beaver Dam Monday through Sunday Less than 2 hours TPTZ Endpoint Assay/Beckman AU
Eau Claire Monday through Sunday Less than 2 hours TPTZ Endpoint Assay/Beckman AU
Marshfield Monday through Sunday Less than 2 hours TPTZ Endpoint Assay/Beckman AU
Minocqua Monday through Sunday Less than 2 hours TPTZ Endpoint Assay/Beckman AU
Rice Lake Monday through Sunday Less than 2 hours TPTZ Endpoint Assay/Beckman AU
Stevens Point Monday through Sunday Less than 2 hours TPTZ Endpoint Assay/Beckman AU
Weston Monday through Sunday Less than 2 hours TPTZ Endpoint Assay/Beckman AU

CPT Codes

CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
83540     Iron   
 83550     Iron binding capacity  

Outreach CPT Codes

CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
83540     Iron   
 83550     Iron binding capacity  

Ordering Applications

 

Ordering Application Description
Cerner Iron, Total Iron Binding Capacity and % Saturation, Serum