About Iron Binding Capacity
Total iron binding capacity (TIBC) measures the maximum amount of iron that the blood's carrier protein (transferrin) can hold, serving as an indirect measure of transferrin levels. TIBC rises when iron stores are low — the body increases transferrin production to capture every available iron molecule — and falls in iron overload or chronic inflammation. TIBC is most useful when interpreted together with serum iron and ferritin: low iron with high TIBC and low ferritin confirms classic iron-deficiency anemia.