1. What is Iron % Saturation?

Iron % saturation is a measure of the percentage of transferrin (the main iron transport protein) that is saturated with iron. It helps evaluate iron status and diagnose conditions like iron deficiency or iron overload.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the iron % saturation formula:

Where:

• \( Iron \) — Serum iron concentration (μg/dL)
• \( TIBC \) — Total Iron Binding Capacity (μg/dL)

Explanation: The formula calculates the proportion of transferrin binding sites that are occupied by iron, expressed as a percentage.

3. Importance of Iron % Saturation Calculation

Details: Iron % saturation is crucial for diagnosing iron-related disorders. Low values indicate iron deficiency, while high values may suggest iron overload conditions like hemochromatosis.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter serum iron and TIBC values in μg/dL. Both values must be valid (greater than 0). The result shows the percentage of iron saturation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a normal iron % saturation range?
A: Normal range is typically 20-50%. Values below 20% may indicate iron deficiency, while values above 50% may suggest iron overload.

Q2: How does iron % saturation differ from ferritin?
A: Iron % saturation measures current iron availability, while ferritin reflects iron storage levels. Both are important for comprehensive iron status assessment.

Q3: When should iron studies be performed?
A: Morning fasting samples are recommended to avoid diurnal variation. Testing is indicated when iron deficiency or overload is suspected.

Q4: Are there limitations to iron % saturation?
A: Results can be affected by inflammation, liver disease, and recent iron supplementation. Always interpret in clinical context with other iron parameters.

Q5: What conditions affect iron % saturation?
A: Iron deficiency anemia lowers saturation, while hemochromatosis, iron poisoning, or repeated transfusions can increase saturation levels.