Iron binding capacity
The iron binding capacity (EBK) of the blood serum is an outdated laboratory parameter for assessing iron metabolism . It has been replaced by direct measurement of serum transferrin and determination of transferrin saturation .
The SFBC checks how much iron is bound in the serum if you add iron in excess. This value is known as the “total iron binding capacity” (TEBK) or total iron binding capacity (TIBC). A high TEBK corresponds to a high transferrin concentration. The latent or “free iron binding capacity” is the difference between TEBK and the measured serum iron. The free EBK corresponds to the transferrin not occupied with iron, i.e. the free iron binding sites in the blood fluid.
Reference range
- TEBK: 270-420 µg / 100 ml
- free EBK: 150-300 µg / 100 ml
The value describes the amount of iron that is bound by 100 ml of serum.
