Abnormal total iron binding capacity can have various causes, ranging in severity from 'needs attention' to 'life-threatening'. Finding the true cause means ruling out or confirming each possibility – in other words, diagnosis.
Diagnosis is usually a complex process due to the sheer number of possible causes and related symptoms. In order to diagnose abnormal total iron binding capacity, we could:
Cause | Probability | Status |
---|---|---|
Cirrhosis Of The Liver | 98% | Confirm |
Hemochromatosis | 16% | Unlikely |
Iron Deficiency Anemia | 5% | Ruled out |
Iron, TIBC (Total Iron Binding Capacity). Unit: ug/dL [umol/L]
Possible responses:
→ Don't know→ Under 150 [26.9] → 150-239 [26.9-42.8] → 240-450 [42.9-80.6] (normal) → Over 450 [80.6] |
While low TIBC is commonly explained by the presence of hemochromatosis, it can also be caused by hypoproteinemia from malnutrition, anemia with infection and chronic disease, and nephrosis.