Total Iron Binding Capacity

Iron deficiency is a condition which occurs if the iron content of blood falls below the normal levels. Conditions that may cause iron deficiency include: · Iron deficiency anemia · Hemolytic anemia · Malnutrition · Chronic blood loss · Bleeding disorders · Long-term infections · Pregnancy · Cancers, especially lymphoma or leukemia

Common signs and symptoms which appear during chronic iron deficiency include chronic unexplained fatigue and tiredness, weakness, dizziness and headaches, pale skin (pallor), and irritability.

Hemochromatosis is a condition that causes the accumulation of iron in the body to higher than normal levels. It is of two types, Hereditary Hemochromatosis and Secondary Hemochromatosis. Hereditary hemochromatosis is caused due to a genetic mutation which causes the body to absorb iron in excessive amounts from food. Secondary Hemochromatosis is commonly found in patients suffering from bleeding disorders who need multiple blood transfusions and iron accumulation from each. The symptoms of hemochromatosis in the early stages include joint pain, abdominal pain, fatigue, and weakness. In later stages, the condition may progress to cause more severe symptoms including diabetes, loss of libido, impotency, heart failure, and liver failure.

Hemosiderosis is a condition caused due to excess accumulation of an iron-storing protein called hemosiderin in the body. Hemosiderin is formed when Red Blood Cells (RBCs) die at the end of their lifespan. Iron in the RBCs is subsequently stored in Hemosiderin to be recycled later. Hemosiderosis is caused by two factors which include internal bleeding in organs and rapid degeneration of RBCs. Accumulation of Hemosiderin may not show symptoms in the early stages. Symptoms that may appear in later stages with excess accumulation include heavy coughing which may be accompanied by blood, breathing difficulty accompanied by wheezing, fatigue, and weakness, shortness of breath during physical activity, systemic pain, rapid weight loss, and slow growth in children.

Iron overload is a condition which occurs when the iron levels of blood rise to higher than the normal levels. Conditions that can cause iron overload include: · Hemolysis · Iron poisoning due to overconsumption of iron in diet · Hemochromatosis (excessive iron accumulation) · Multiple blood transfusions · Liver diseases

Common symptoms of iron overload include joint pain, fatigue and weakness, rapid weight loss, pain in chest and abdomen, joint pain, loss of sex drive, and liver damage.

Factors that can affect TIBC Test results include: · Anemia · Pregnancy · Oral contraceptives · Recent blood transfusion · Malnutrition · Liver diseases · Inflammation

There is no risk associated with the test. However, since this test involves a needle prick to withdraw the blood sample, in very rare cases, a patient may experience increased bleeding, hematoma formation (blood collection under the skin), bruising or infection at the site of needle prick.