UIBC

The measurement of unsaturated iron binding capacity (UIBC) in combination with serum iron is a useful diagnostic tool in the determination of various iron disorders. The combined value of UIBC and serum iron gives a value for the total iron binding capacity (TIBC). This represents the maximum concentration of iron that serum proteins can bind. Serum UIBC levels vary in disorders of iron metabolism, where iron binding capacities are often increased in iron deficiency and decreased in chronic inflammatory disorders or malignancies.