Adult patient:
Heparin gel tube
Minimum blood volume: 5 mL
Paediatric patient:
Paediatric heparin gel tube
Number of vials: 1
Minimum blood volume: 1.3 mL
Authorisation code required
No
24 Hr available service
No
Method
Spectrophotometry
Reference interval
41 - 77 µmol/L
(Source: Reference Ranges for Adults & Children, pre-analytical considerations, Roche Diagnostics GmbH 2004)
Clinical indication
Investigation of suspected iron deficiency or iron overload.
Result interpretation
Total iron-binding capacity, representing transferrin concentration in iron-binding capacity, is a useful index of nutritional iron status.
TIBC is increased in iron deficiency. TIBC is decreased in anemia of chronic disease.
Iron deficiency anemia is characterised by a decreased iron, increased TIBC or transferrin, and a decreased transferrin saturation.
Confirm iron deficiency if %saturation < 16% and TIBC > 77 µmol/L.
Not suggestive of iron deficiency if %saturation > 21% and TIBC < 77 µmol/LMeasurement of uncertainty
Frequency of measurement
Daily