In iron deficiency anemia, total iron-binding capacity is increased.

In iron deficiency anemia, total iron-binding capacity is increased.

• A. Increased
• B. Decreased
• C. Normal
• D. Unchanged

Answer: (A)

Total iron-binding capacity reflects how much transferrin is available to bind iron. In iron deficiency, the body senses low iron and boosts hepatic production of transferrin, increasing the amount of transferrin circulating. That raises the binding capacity, so TIBC goes up. Clinically you’ll also see low serum iron and low ferritin, with a drop in transferrin saturation because iron is scarce relative to the increased binding capacity. This pattern helps distinguish iron deficiency from anemia of chronic disease, where transferrin and TIBC tend to be normal or decreased.

Total iron-binding capacity reflects how much transferrin is available to bind iron. In iron deficiency, the body senses low iron and boosts hepatic production of transferrin, increasing the amount of transferrin circulating. That raises the binding capacity, so TIBC goes up. Clinically you’ll also see low serum iron and low ferritin, with a drop in transferrin saturation because iron is scarce relative to the increased binding capacity. This pattern helps distinguish iron deficiency from anemia of chronic disease, where transferrin and TIBC tend to be normal or decreased.