The key difference between TIBC and UIBC is that TIBC is a diagnostic test that measures the total serum iron, while UIBC is a diagnostic test that measures how much transferrin is not yet bound to iron.
Total iron binding capacity (TIBC) is a very important test used for the diagnosis of iron deficiency anaemia and iron overload. It measures the total capacity of the blood to bind and transport iron. Iron binding capacity is normally defined as the capacity of transferrin to bind to iron. It is mainly of two types as TIBC and unsaturated iron-binding capacity (UIBC). Generally, when iron stores are depleted, the transferrin level goes up. Transferrin is an iron transport protein. Moreover, only one-third amount of transferrin is usually saturated with iron. Therefore, the rest of the transferrin present in serum has an extra iron binding capacity. This is known as unsaturated iron binding capacity or UIBC. TIBC is the sum of total serum iron and UIBC. Therefore, TIBC and UIBC are two diagnostic tests for iron deficiency or overload.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is TIBC
3. What is UIBC
4. Similarities – TIBC and UIBC
5. TIBC vs. UIBC in Tabular Form
6. Summary – TIBC vs. UIBC
What is TIBC?
TIBC is a test that measures the total capacity of the blood to bind and transport iron. It is usually the sum of total serum iron and UIBC (unsaturated iron binding capacity). Therefore, this test can diagnose anemia and hemochromatosis. More importantly, the TIBC test shows the amount of transferrin in the blood. Transferrin is a liver protein that regulates the absorption of iron into the blood. A TIBC test is often part of an iron panel, which consists of other tests such as a ferritin blood test. The normal TIBC level ranges from around 240 mcg/dL to 450 mcg/dL.
Furthermore, low iron and low levels of TIBC indicate people may have conditions like cirrhosis, chronic inflammation, infection, malnutrition, and nephrotic syndrome. In addition to that, having low ferritin levels and high TIBC levels normally indicate iron deficiency anemia. This is because a ferritin test measures the amount of ferritin proteins that store iron inside the cells. However, this test may cause slight tenderness or a bruise at the site of the blood draw.
What is UIBC?
UIBC test measures how much transferrin is not yet bound to iron. It is very important to measure the TIBC level as TIBC is the sum of total serum iron and UIBC. The UIBC test determines the reserve capacity of transferrin or the transferrin portion not yet saturated with iron. The normal UIBC level is around 111 mcg/dL to 343 mcg/dL.
Decreased UIBC may indicate conditions like hemochromatosis, chronic infection, sideroblastic anemia, and iron toxicity. On the other hand, elevated UIBC may indicate conditions like an iron deficiency in the diet and an inability to absorb iron. Furthermore, the side effects of this test may include slight tenderness, a bruise, swelling, or bleeding at the site of the blood draw.
What are the Similarities Between TIBC and UIBC?
- TIBC and UIBC are two diagnostic tests for iron deficiency or overload.
- UIBC is compulsory to measure TIBC.
- Both are blood tests.
- They are parts of a regular iron panel.
- Both tests can be used to detect iron deficiency or overload-related diseases.
- They may cause side effects, such as slight tenderness or bruising at the site of blood draw.
What is the Difference Between TIBC and UIBC?
TIBC is a diagnostic test for iron deficiency or overload that measures the total of serum iron and UIBC, while UIBC is a diagnostic test for iron deficiency or overload that measures how much transferrin is not yet bound to iron. Thus, this is the key difference between TIBC and UIBC. Furthermore, the normal TIBC level range is 240 mcg/dL to 450 mcg/dL, while the normal UIBC level is around 111 mcg/dL to 343 mcg/dL.
The infographic below presents the differences between TIBC and UIBC in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – TIBC vs UIBC
Iron is an essential nutrient in the diet. It is necessary for producing healthy red blood cells (RBCs) as it is a critical part of hemoglobin. Transferrin test, TIBC, UIBC, transferrin saturation, and ferritin test help to evaluate and diagnose iron deficiency or overload. TIBC test measures the total amount of iron that can be bound to transferrin proteins in the blood. On the other hand, the UIBC test measures how much transferrin is not yet bound to iron. So, this is the key difference between TIBC and UIBC.
Reference:
1. “Iron Binding Capacity.” Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.
2. “UIBC.” Lab Results Explained | HealthMatters.Io.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Transferrin cycle” By Rouault TA – Rouault TA: How Mammals Acquire and Distribute Iron Needed for Oxygen-Based Metabolism. PLoS Biol 1/3/2003: e79. http://10.1371/journal.pbio.0000079 (CC BY 2.5) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Blood Via Analysis” (CC0) via Pixabay