TIBC

What Does This Test Check?

TIBC (total iron binding capacity) measures how much of the transport protein transferrin is available to carry iron. It rounds out the iron studies panel.

Lola Health lists this as an add-on biomarker at £12, posted as a home sample with results in one to four working days. It cannot be bought on its own: you pick it while ordering one of Lola's main blood tests, so it suits someone who already knows which extra marker they want.

A high TIBC may indicate iron deficiency, while a low one can point to overload or chronic inflammation. It is meaningless on its own and is read next to ferritin and serum iron. Whatever the reading, an out-of-range result needs a doctor who can see the whole picture, so go through it with your GP before acting on it.