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HelpTest Code TIBC Iron Binding Capacity
EHR Test Codes
| Test Code | Test Name | |
| Atlas | TIBC | Iron Binding Capacity |
| Cerner | TIBC | Iron Binding Capacity |
Specimen Requirements
Preparation of Patient:
Irons should be drawn before 12 Noon, but will be drawn at any time. Irons drawn after 12 Noon may exhibit up to a 30% decrease due to diurnal variation
Container Type:
Green Top 5mL Lithium Heparin Separator Tube
Or
Gold Top 6mL SST Gel & Clot Activator Tube
Specimen Type:
Plasma or Serum
Specimen Volume:
2.5 mL Plasma or Serum minimum .5 mL
Specimen Handling/Transport:
Separate plasma or serum from cells within 2 hours of collection.
Transport ambient room temperature.
Specimen Stability/Storage:
4 days ambient room temperature
5 days refrigerated 2-8°C
Specimen Rejection:
Hemolysis
Performing Laboratory
Munson Healthcare Laboratories
Chemistry Department
Priority, Frequency, & Turnaround
Priority:
Non-Emergent
Frequency:
24 hours 7 days a week
Turnaround:
0 - 1 days
STAT 45 minute from receipt in lab
Methodology
Nitroso-PSAP
Reporting
Reference Range:
Iron:
Male 50 -175 ug/dL
Female 39 - 167 ug/dL
UIBC:
155 - 355 ug/dL
TIBC
225 -405
Iron Saturation %
15 - 50 %
Interpretive Data:
Irons drawn after 12 noon may be decreased due to diurnal variation.
Critical Decision:
None
Clinical Significance
Transferrin is generally only 25 to 30 percent saturated with iron. The additional amount of iron that can be bound is the unsaturated iron binding capacity. The sum of the serum iron and UIBC represents the total iron binding capacity (TIBC). Iron binding capacity measurements are used in the diagnosis and treatment of anemia. Increased total iron binding capacity is seen in iron deficiency while decreased values are seen in chronic inflammatory disorders or malignancies.
CPT Code(s)
83540-Iron
83550-Iron-binding capacity
Billing
Medicare frequency limitations exist for this test in addition to diagnosis requirements. Click on link for list of medically necessary diagnoses and frequency limits: Medicare NCD Iron Studies Jan26. Click on link for Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage form: ABN Form