Your guide to TIBC.
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What is TIBC?
Total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) is a test used for the diagnosis of iron deficiency and other disorders of iron metabolism. Transferrin is the main protein that binds to and transports iron in our blood. Iron binding capacity is the capacity of transferrin to bind with iron.
What does it assess?
TIBC measures the blood's ability to bind and transport iron and is used to assess iron status and is typically measured alongside serum iron levels. High TIBC levels can indicate iron deficiency, as more transferrin is produced to transport available iron, whereas low TIBC can suggest iron overload or inflammation, as less transferrin is needed when iron stores are sufficient or when there is a reduction in transferrin production due to chronic disease.
How do I optimize my TIBC?
Ensuring your body has adequate iron is crucial for optimizing TIBC. Both iron deficiency and iron overload can affect TIBC readings, so maintaining a healthy balance is key.
Transferrin is a protein, and adequate protein intake supports its production. Include high-quality protein sources such as lean meats, fish, eggs, and legumes in your diet.
Inflammatory conditions can reduce transferrin levels and lower TIBC. Managing chronic inflammation through diet and addressing underlying conditions can help normalize TIBC.
What does high and low TIBC mean?
Elevated TIBC typically indicates iron deficiency. When iron levels are low, the liver produces more transferrin to maximize the transportation of the available iron. This is often observed in conditions like iron deficiency anemia, where the body compensates by increasing transferrin production to make the most of limited iron.
Reduced TIBC can be caused by iron overload, chronic inflammation, or liver disease. In cases of iron overload, the body produces less transferrin because it doesn’t need to transport excess iron. Chronic inflammation or conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and cancer can also lower TIBC due to the body's inflammatory response, which reduces transferrin production as part of an acute-phase response.
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