Alberta Precision Laboratories

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Organization:

Alberta Precision Laboratories

Message Alert:

PLEASE NOTE: This Test Directory is in an interim state and due to changes pertaining to the DynaLIFE transition, performing site for routing has not been updated. Please refer to Laboratory Information System for appropriate routing.

Test Name/Synonym:

Iron and TIBC (Synonym: TIBC, Total Iron Binding Capacity, FE, Saturation Index, Transferrin saturation, TSAT)

Clinical Indications:

Blood iron levels alone cannot be used to determine iron stores.
Ferritin is the preferred marker to screen for iron deficiency.
Iron saturation index and ferritin are the preferred screening tests for iron overload.

Test Includes:

Iron, Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC) and Iron Saturation Index

Ordering Alert:

This is not a stat test. If suspected iron overdose has occurred, order Iron Overdose.

Collection Alert:

Fasting morning specimen is preferred.

The concentration of iron in blood is subject to circadian variations, with the highest concentration occurring between 08:00 and 12:00. Diurnal variation gives low values in p.m. collections.

Iron levels may be inaccurate or not reflect homeostasis during therapy with iron chelating agents (e.g. deferoxamine, deferasirox, deferiprone). After cessation of treatment (Greater than 24 hours for deferoxamine; Greater than 3 days for deferasirox; Greater than 10 hours for deferiprone) iron levels will be accurate and reflect iron homeostasis.

LABID (Connect Care):

LAB829

Primary Container:

MINT LIHEP PST

Alternate Containers:

GOLD SST

Minimum Collection Volume:

0.5 mL plasma or serum

Specimen Collection Requirements:

For those sites that refer specimens to the Diagnostic and Scientific Centre or Edmonton Base Lab, see Iron and TIBC in the former DynaLIFE Test Directory or contact Specimen Control at 1-800-661-9876.

Test Resources:

General Laboratory Requisition – 21302

Calgary Zone: Minimum Whole Blood Volumes for Microcollections

Reference Interval:

Iron
Age	µmol/L
All	8-35

TIBC
Age	µmol/L
0 days up to 18 years	50-80
18 years up to unspecified	40-75

Saturation Index (Iron/TIBC)
Age	Gender	Reference Interval
0 days up to 18 years	All	0.10-0.50
18 years up to unspecified
	Female	0.10-0.55
	Male	0.12-0.60
	U/X*	0.10-0.60

*X non-binary or prefer not to disclose

Critical Value:

Iron: Less than 12 years : Greater than 54 µmol/L

Testing Area:

Biochemistry

Performing Site:

Calgary Zone	Diagnostic and Scientific Centre Foothills Medical Centre
Central Zone	Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre
Edmonton Zone	Edmonton Base Lab University of Alberta Hospital
North Zone	Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Referred to Edmonton Base Lab
South Zone	Chinook Regional Hospital Medicine Hat Regional Hospital

Additional Test Information:

Iron Saturation Index (Transferrin Saturation) = Iron/TIBC.

In situations of extremely elevated TIBC, a Iron Saturation Estimate will be calculated and reported as a greater than value, as some components are outside the measurable parameters.

Last Updated On:

Thursday, November 30, 2023