1. What is Iron Saturation?

Iron saturation is a medical laboratory value that represents the percentage of iron-binding sites on transferrin that are occupied by iron. It's calculated by dividing serum iron by total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) and multiplying by 100.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the iron saturation formula:

Where:

• \( Serum\_iron \) — Serum iron concentration (μg/dL)
• \( Blood\_TIBC \) — Total iron-binding capacity (μg/dL)

Explanation: The formula calculates what percentage of the iron-binding capacity is actually being used by iron in the blood.

3. Importance of Iron Saturation

Details: Iron saturation helps diagnose iron deficiency or iron overload conditions. Normal range is typically 20-50%, with lower values indicating iron deficiency and higher values suggesting iron overload or hemochromatosis.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter serum iron and TIBC values in μg/dL. Both values must be greater than 0 for accurate calculation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a normal iron saturation level?
A: Typically 20-50%, but ranges may vary slightly between laboratories.

Q2: What does low iron saturation indicate?
A: Low saturation (<15-20%) often indicates iron deficiency anemia.

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

Q4: How is this different from ferritin?
A: Ferritin measures iron stores, while saturation measures circulating iron availability.

Q5: When should I get my iron levels checked?
A: When symptoms of iron deficiency (fatigue, pallor) or overload (joint pain, fatigue) are present.