TIBC

Alternative names:

total iron binding capacity

What the risks are:

Risks associated with venipuncture are slight:

• excessive bleeding
• fainting or feeling lightheaded
• hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
• infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
• multiple punctures to locate veins

Special considerations:

Interfering factors:

• recent blood transfusion
• ingestion of meal containing large amounts of iron

Drugs that can increase TIBC measurements include fluorides and oral contraceptives.

Drugs that can decrease TIBC measurements include ACTH and chloramphenicol.

Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.