Unsaturated iron binding capacity
The spare iron-carrying capacity of the blood.
What it is
Unsaturated iron binding capacity measures how much more iron transferrin could carry. It moves opposite to iron stores: high when iron is low, low when iron is plentiful.
Why it matters
UIBC is read with iron, ferritin and transferrin saturation - the iron panel travels together, and single members mislead.
This guide is educational only and cannot diagnose you. Discuss results, especially anything outside your laboratory’s reference interval, or that does not match how you feel, with a GP or other appropriately qualified clinician.
This guide is educational only and cannot diagnose you. Discuss results, especially anything outside your laboratory’s reference interval, or that does not match how you feel, with a GP or other appropriately qualified clinician.
How it affects the body
It reflects unoccupied seats on transferrin, the blood's iron carrier.
For athletes
Endurance athletes lose iron through several routes; the full panel, not one number, tells the story.
Related tests
No published panels currently list this marker.