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Choose collection locationBiochemistry · Individual laboratory test
Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC)
TIBC estimates the total space available for iron on its main transport protein, transferrin. It is often interpreted alongside serum iron.
Price for this test on its ownAED 140Test price AED 40
Clinical authorDr Nirupama SabhapathySpecialist Clinical Pathology
- Sample
- Serum
- Laboratory turnaround
- 24 hours
- Collection
- Dubai
- Laboratory
- Intel Lab
Understanding the test
What does the Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC) test measure?
Also called Iron Transport Capacity
TIBC can help a clinician investigate anaemia or possible iron overload, particularly when compared with the iron actually present in blood.
When it may be requested
Explaining anaemia
Binding capacity may help distinguish iron deficiency from some patterns during chronic illness.
Calculating saturation
Serum iron and TIBC together show the proportion of binding capacity occupied.
Before your sample
Prepare for collection
SpecimenSerum
Your checklist
Plan a fasting morning sample, especially when serum iron is measured at the same time. Ask about the timing of iron tablets before the appointment.
A clinician takes a small sample of blood from a vein. The laboratory uses serum, the liquid separated from the blood after it clots.
Smart Report
Understanding your result
24 hoursLaboratory turnaround
Result guideTotal Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC)
Reading your result
A high binding capacity can be seen when iron is scarce. Transport protein production and inflammation can also affect the value, so ferritin provides useful additional context.
What can affect it
- TIBC measures transport capacity rather than iron stored in tissues.
From sample to follow-up
Your testing journey
Laboratory testTotal Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC)
- Specimen
- Serum
- Turnaround
- 24 hours
Open your laboratory report
Look for Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC) in your report. Use the sample type and collection time when comparing it with an earlier report.
Explore Smart Report
Discuss the next step
Compare TIBC with serum iron and ferritin from the same period. Ask whether iron transport or iron stores are driving the result.
Health packages
Packages that include this test
Compare the other tests in each package before choosing.
Clinical expertise
Your laboratory team
Patient questions
Before you book
What does transferrin saturation add?
Saturation describes how much of the available capacity is occupied. It gives context to TIBC when the clinician is investigating low or excess available iron.
What is the difference between TIBC and ferritin?
TIBC describes how much iron the blood can transport, through transferrin; ferritin reflects how much iron is stored. In classic iron deficiency they move in opposite directions, TIBC up and ferritin down. TIBC cannot replace ferritin as a measure of stores, and inflammation shifts both, so your doctor reads them together with serum iron.
Why does my iron binding capacity go up when my iron is low?
Because the liver responds to scarcity by making more transferrin. More carrier protein means more empty binding sites, so the measured capacity rises even though there is less iron available to fill it.
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Your next step
Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC) test at home.
Sources & further reading
Written by Dr Nirupama Sabhapathy, Specialist Clinical Pathology. Medically reviewed by Dr Joyce Jose, Specialist Clinical Pathology, on .
Catalogue information and AED price checked on 2 November 2026. Clinical suitability, preparation, collection arrangements and turnaround are confirmed for your selected test.