<Tr> <Td> anemia of chronic disease </Td> <Td> Low, as the body holds iron intracellularly with ferritin . </Td> <Td> Low . The body produces less transferrin (but more ferritin), presumably to keep iron away from pathogens that require it for their metabolism . This is mainly regulated by increased hepcidin production . </Td> <Td> Normal </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> pregnancy or use of hormonal contraception, but without iron deficiency </Td> <Td> Normal </Td> <Td> High . The liver increases the production of transferrin, thus raising TIBC . </Td> <Td> Low, as there is excess transferrin with normal serum iron levels . </Td> </Tr> <P> These examples demonstrate that to properly understand a value for TIBC, one also must know the serum iron, the percent transferrin saturation, and the individual clinical situation . In modern laboratory testings, serum ferritin levels are generally accepted as reliable single indicators of the presence of iron deficiency . </P> <P> Laboratories often use different units of measurement and "normal" may vary by population and the laboratory techniques used . Look at the individual laboratory reference values to interpret a specific test (for instance, your own). Example reference ranges are: </P>

What does low total iron binding capacity mean