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Test Code TIB or LAB829 Iron and  Total Iron-Binding Capacity (TIBC), Serum or Plasma

Important Note

Note: Iron levels can be transiently elevated after taking iron supplement (including multivitamin) or iron rich meal.  Patient should not take iron containing supplements for 24 hours before blood draw.   12 hour fast preferred.

Profile Information

Test ID Reporting Name Available Separately? Always Performed?
FE Iron Y Y
TRANS Transferrin Y Y
TIBC TIBC N Y
Iron Sat % Iron Saturation N Y

Specimen Requirements

Container Type:

Optimal: Gold or Mint*

*For STAT requests

Acceptable: Red or Green
Optimal Collection Volume: 

4.5 mL; full tube
Specimen Minimum Volume:
  • Adults: 1 mL whole blood
  • Neonates: 1 microtainer (400-600 uL)
Collection Instructions:

Gently invert sample 5-6 times after collection.
Specimen Transport:

Refrigerate
Processing Instructions: 

1. If serum, allow the sample to clot for 30 minutes.

2. Centrifuge specimen within 2 hours of collection.

3. After centrifugation, specimen tubes without a gel barrier should have the serum or plasma aliquoted to a false bottom container.

4. Keep serum/plasma refrigerated until testing can be performed.

Specimen Stability

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Serum* Room Temperature 7 days
Refrigerated 8 days
Frozen 6 months

*Note: Heparinized plasma in gel separator tubes is less stable than serum and is only suitable for add-on testing up to 2 days following sample collection.

Specimen Rejection Criteria

Hemolysis Mild OK; Moderate Reject; Gross Reject
Lipemia Mild OK; Moderate OK; Gross Reject
Icterus Mild OK; Moderate OK; Gross Reject
Other Quantity not sufficient

Useful For

Screening for hemochromatosis.

Methodology

Roche Cobas

  • FE: Colorimetric
  • TRANS: Immunoturbidimetric

Reference Ranges

 

Test ID Reference Range and Reporting Units
FE Male: 80-160 ug/dL
Female: 60-135 ug/dL
TRANS 200-360 mg/dL
TIBC 254-457 ug/dL
Iron Sat % Male: 20-55%
Female: 15-50%

Interpretive

SFEC - Overview: Iron and Total Iron-Binding Capacity, Serum

Day(s) Performed

24/7

Expected TAT

Same day

Performing Laboratory

Bronson Laboratory, Chemistry - Kalamazoo and Battle Creek

Sample Retention Time

7 days

CPT Code

  • FE: 83540
  • TRANS: 84466

LOINC Code

  • FE: 2498-4
  • TRANS: 3034-6
  • TIBC: 2500-7
  • Iron Sat %: 2502-3

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