Unsaturated Iron-Binding Capacity

Abbreviation: UIBC

Panel: Iron Studies · All iron studies tests

Typical adult reference range

Conventional units111–343 µg/dL
SI units20–61 µmol/L

Ranges vary between laboratories and methods — compare your result with the range printed on your own report.

What a high or low result can mean

High unsaturated iron-binding capacity: high values can be seen in iron deficiency.

Low unsaturated iron-binding capacity: low values may occur in iron overload and chronic inflammation.

These are associations, not a diagnosis: the same result can have several causes, and your clinician interprets it with the rest of your results and history.

Good to know

Together with serum iron it makes up the TIBC.

Please note: Reference ranges vary between laboratories, and between the methods and instruments they use — the range printed on your own report is the one your result should be compared with. A result outside the range is not by itself a diagnosis, and a result inside it does not rule out illness. These pages are an educational summary, not medical advice: always discuss your results with the clinician who ordered them, who can interpret them in the context of your health and history.