What does it mean if my UIBC is high?

What does it mean if my UIBC is high?

A high TIBC, UIBC, or transferrin usually indicates iron deficiency, but they are also increased in pregnancy and with the use of oral contraceptives. A low TIBC, UIBC, or transferrin may also occur if someone has malnutrition, inflammation, liver disease, or nephrotic syndrome.

What does it mean if my UIBC is low?

Decreased unsaturated iron binding capacity (UIBC) may indicate: Hemochromatosis, Chronic infection or illness, Hemolytic anemia.

What is a good UIBC level?

UIBC – normal values for UIBC may vary among laboratories, but most laboratories define their normal range as 111 mcg/dL to 343 mcg/dL.

What does it mean to have a high unsaturated iron binding capacity?

What does it mean if your UIBC result is too high? – TIBC is usually higher-than-normal when the body’s iron stores are low. – A high TIBC usually indicates iron deficiency anemia or late pregnancy. – Oral contraceptives may also cause TIBC to rise.

What causes high levels of iron in the blood?

High blood iron is usually the result of hemochromatosis, a disease in which the body absorbs too much iron from the diet. Secondary hemochromatosis is a complication arising from certain diseases, and can also result when multiple blood transfusions are used in treating certain diseases.

What is dangerously high ferritin levels?

Many laboratories consider serum ferritin levels greater than 200 ng/mL in women and greater than 300 ng/mL in men to be abnormal.

What are the symptoms of too much iron?

Symptoms

• tiredness or fatigue.
• weakness.
• weight loss.
• abdominal pain.
• high blood sugar levels.
• hyperpigmentation, or the skin turning a bronze color.
• a loss of libido, or sex drive.
• in males, reduction in the size of the testicles.

What is the life expectancy of a person with hemochromatosis?

Cumulative survival was 76% at 10 years and 49% at 20 years. Life expectancy was reduced in patients who presented with cirrhosis or diabetes compared to patients who presented without these complications at the time of diagnosis.

What are the signs of hemochromatosis?

Initial symptoms of haemochromatosis can include:

• feeling very tired all the time (fatigue)
• weight loss.
• weakness.
• joint pain.
• an inability to get or maintain an erection (erectile dysfunction)
• irregular periods or absent periods.

What is UIBC on blood test?

Unsaturated iron-binding capacity (UIBC) is a blood test most frequently used along with a serum iron test and a total iron-binding capacity test (TIBC) to evaluate people suspected of having either iron deficiency or iron overload. Iron moves through the blood attached to a protein called transferrin.

How is UIBC used to calculate TIBC levels?

UIBC is used for calculation of TIBC: TIBC [µg/dL] = UIBC [µg/dL] + Iron [µg/dL] Iron moves through the blood attached to a protein called transferrin. Your body makes transferrin in relationship to your need for iron. When iron stores are low, transferrin levels increase, while transferrin is low when there is too much iron.

What does unsaturated iron binding capacity ( UIBC ) mean?

Unsaturated iron-binding capacity (UIBC) is a blood test most frequently used along with a serum iron test and a total iron-binding capacity test (TIBC) to evaluate people suspected of having either iron deficiency or iron overload. Iron moves through the blood attached to a protein called transferrin. Click to see full answer

What does it mean if your UIBC result is too high?

What does it mean if your UIBC result is too high? – TIBC is usually higher-than-normal when the body’s iron stores are low. – A high TIBC usually indicates iron deficiency anemia or late pregnancy. – Oral contraceptives may also cause TIBC to rise.