TIBC
Medical abbreviation · Laboratory Test
| Stands for | Total iron-binding capacity |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
TIBC stands for Total iron-binding capacity, a laboratory test abbreviation.
Measures how much iron the blood's transferrin could carry if fully saturated, giving an indirect estimate of transferrin level. Typical values are about 250 to 450 mcg/dL; TIBC rises in iron deficiency as the body makes more transferrin and falls in anemia of chronic disease, malnutrition and iron overload.
Example: Iron 28, TIBC 470, ferritin 6: classic iron deficiency.
Usage notes
Ordered as part of iron studies with serum iron and ferritin. Pregnancy and estrogen-containing contraceptives raise TIBC independently of iron status. Ferritin remains the single best test for iron deficiency, but because it is an acute-phase reactant, TIBC and transferrin saturation help when inflammation clouds the picture.
Related abbreviations
More laboratory test abbreviations
- TAT – Turnaround time
- TBili – Total bilirubin
- TC – Total cholesterol
- TDM – Therapeutic drug monitoring
- TFT – Thyroid function tests
- TG – Triglycerides
- TP – Total protein
- TSAT – Transferrin saturation
- TSH – Thyroid-stimulating hormone
- TT – Thrombin time
- U&E – Urea and electrolytes
- UA – Urinalysis
See all 135 laboratory test abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.