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Total iron binding capacity of blood serum

Alexey Portnov, medical expert
Last reviewed: 18.10.2021

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The total iron-binding capacity of blood serum is the indicator of transferrin concentration. It should be taken into account that when evaluating the content of transferrin according to the results of determining the total iron binding capacity of blood serum, it is overestimated by 16-20%, since at more than half saturation of transferrin, iron binds to other proteins. Under the general iron-binding capacity of blood serum is understood not the absolute amount of transferrin, but the amount of iron that can be contacted with transferrin. Subtracting the amount of serum iron from the total iron binding capacity of the blood serum, an unsaturated or latent iron binding capacity is determined: unsaturated iron binding capacity = OCSS - serum iron. Normally, the unsaturated iron-binding capacity of blood serum averages 50.2 mmol / L (279 μg / dl).

Reference values (norm) of total iron binding capacity of blood serum

Age	Reference values OZHSS
Age	μg / dL	μmol / l
Children under 2 years	100-400	17.90-71.60
Children over 2 years and adults	250-425	44.75-76.1

Based on the determination of iron in blood serum and the total iron binding capacity of blood serum, the saturation coefficient (the ratio of serum iron to total iron binding capacity of serum, expressed as a percentage) is calculated. Normally this coefficient ranges from 16 to 54, averaging 31.2.

Calculation formula: saturation factor = (serum iron / OLC) × 100.