1. What is Fe Saturation?

Fe Saturation (Iron Saturation) measures the percentage of transferrin and other iron-binding proteins saturated with iron. It helps evaluate iron status in the body and diagnose conditions like iron deficiency or iron overload.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Fe Saturation formula:

Where:

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

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

3. Importance of Fe Saturation

Details: Fe Saturation is crucial for diagnosing iron disorders. Low saturation suggests iron deficiency, while high saturation may indicate hemochromatosis or iron overload.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter serum iron and TIBC values in μg/dL. Both values must be positive numbers. Typical ranges are 50-150 μg/dL for Fe and 250-450 μg/dL for TIBC.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

Q2: How does Fe Saturation differ from ferritin?
A: Ferritin measures iron stores, while Fe Saturation measures circulating iron availability. Both are needed for complete iron status assessment.

Q3: When should Fe Saturation be tested?
A: When evaluating anemia, suspected iron deficiency, or hemochromatosis. Morning fasting samples are preferred.

Q4: What affects Fe Saturation levels?
A: Inflammation, liver disease, recent iron intake, and certain medications can affect results.

Q5: Can Fe Saturation be high in iron deficiency?
A: Rarely, in cases of ineffective erythropoiesis where iron is not being utilized properly despite adequate supply.