1. What is Iron Saturation?

Iron saturation measures the percentage of transferrin (the main iron transport protein) that is saturated with 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:

• \( Iron \) — Serum iron concentration (μg/dL)
• \( TIBC \) — Total iron-binding capacity (μg/dL)

Explanation: The formula shows what percentage of available iron-binding sites on transferrin are actually occupied by iron.

3. Importance of Iron Saturation

Details: Iron saturation helps diagnose iron deficiency or iron overload conditions. For women, normal range is typically 15-50%, with values below 15% suggesting iron deficiency and above 50% possibly indicating iron overload.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter serum iron and TIBC values in μg/dL. Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator is specifically designed for women's iron status assessment.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is this calculator specific to women?
A: Women have different iron needs and reference ranges due to menstrual blood loss and pregnancy demands.

Q2: What are normal iron saturation values for women?
A: Typically 15-50%, but may vary slightly by laboratory. Values below 15% often indicate deficiency, while above 50% may suggest overload.

Q3: When should iron studies be performed?
A: When symptoms suggest anemia (fatigue, pallor) or iron overload, or when routine blood tests show abnormal hemoglobin or red blood cell indices.

Q4: What affects iron saturation results?
A: Recent iron intake, inflammation, liver disease, and certain medications can all influence results.

Q5: Is fasting required for iron tests?
A: Yes, fasting for 12 hours is typically recommended as dietary iron can temporarily increase serum iron levels.