1. What is Iron Saturation?

Iron saturation measures the percentage of transferrin (the main iron transport protein) that is saturated with iron. It provides important information about iron status in the body and helps diagnose iron deficiency or iron overload conditions.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the iron saturation formula:

Where:

• \( \text{Serum Iron} \) — Amount of iron circulating in the blood (μg/dL)
• \( \text{TIBC} \) — Total Iron Binding Capacity (μg/dL)

Explanation: The formula calculates the percentage of transferrin binding sites that are occupied by iron, providing insight into the body's iron availability.

3. Importance of Iron Saturation Calculation

Details: Iron saturation is crucial for diagnosing iron-related disorders, monitoring iron therapy, and assessing overall iron status. Abnormal levels can indicate iron deficiency anemia or hemochromatosis.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter serum iron and TIBC values in μg/dL. Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator will compute the iron saturation percentage.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a normal iron saturation range?
A: Normal iron saturation typically ranges from 20% to 50%, though reference ranges may vary slightly between laboratories.

Q2: What does low iron saturation indicate?
A: Low saturation (<20%) often indicates iron deficiency, which can lead to iron deficiency anemia if untreated.

Q3: What does high iron saturation indicate?
A: High saturation (>50%) may suggest iron overload conditions such as hemochromatosis or excessive iron supplementation.

Q4: When should iron studies be performed?
A: Iron studies are typically ordered when anemia is suspected, when monitoring iron therapy, or when screening for hereditary hemochromatosis.

Q5: Are fasting samples required for iron studies?
A: Yes, serum iron levels can fluctuate throughout the day, so morning fasting samples are recommended for accurate results.