Total Iron Binding Capacity Calculator

Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC) Calculator

Results

function calculateTIBC() { var serumIron = document.getElementById('serumIron').value; var uibc = document.getElementById('uibc').value; var resultArea = document.getElementById('tibc-result-area'); if (serumIron === "" || uibc === "" || serumIron < 0 || uibc 450) { interpretationText = "Interpretation: Your TIBC is high. This is frequently seen in iron deficiency anemia, pregnancy, or blood loss, as the body increases binding sites to capture more iron."; } else if (tibc < 250) { interpretationText = "Interpretation: Your TIBC is low. This may be associated with hemochromatosis, chronic liver disease, malnutrition, or chronic inflammatory conditions."; } else { interpretationText = "Interpretation: Your TIBC falls within the typical reference range (250–450 µg/dL)."; } document.getElementById('interpretation').innerHTML = interpretationText; resultArea.style.display = 'block'; }

Understanding Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC)

Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC) is a medical laboratory test that measures the blood's ability to attach itself to iron and transport it around the body. It specifically measures the maximum amount of iron that can be bound by transferrin, the primary protein responsible for iron transport in the blood.

How the Calculation Works

In most clinical settings, the relationship between iron levels is expressed by a simple additive formula:

TIBC = Serum Iron + UIBC

Where:

• Serum Iron: The actual amount of iron currently in your blood.
• UIBC (Unsaturated Iron Binding Capacity): The reserve capacity of transferrin that is not yet bound by iron.

Clinical Significance of Results

A TIBC test is rarely ordered alone. Doctors typically look at it alongside serum iron and transferrin saturation to diagnose conditions such as:

• Iron Deficiency Anemia: Characterized by high TIBC and low serum iron. The body produces more transferrin to try and "grab" every available bit of iron.
• Hemochromatosis: An inherited condition where the body absorbs too much iron, leading to low TIBC and very high serum iron.
• Anemia of Chronic Disease: Usually presents with low TIBC and low serum iron because the body "hides" iron away from potential pathogens.

Practical Example

If a patient's lab results show a Serum Iron of 50 µg/dL and a UIBC of 400 µg/dL:

1. TIBC = 50 + 400 = 450 µg/dL.
2. Transferrin Saturation = (50 / 450) × 100 = 11.1%.

In this scenario, the high TIBC and low saturation strongly suggest iron deficiency, as the normal saturation range is typically 20% to 50%.

Disclaimer: This calculator is for educational purposes only. Laboratory reference ranges can vary. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional to interpret your blood test results.