1. What is Transferrin Saturation?

Transferrin saturation (TS) is a medical laboratory value that represents the percentage of transferrin that is saturated with iron. It's an important indicator of iron status in the body and helps diagnose iron deficiency or iron overload conditions.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Transferrin Saturation formula:

Where:

• \( Iron \) — Serum iron concentration in μmol/L
• \( Transferrin \) — Transferrin concentration in g/L
• \( 70.9 \) — Conversion factor

Explanation: The formula calculates what percentage of transferrin's iron-binding capacity is actually occupied by iron.

3. Importance of TS Calculation

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

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter serum iron in μmol/L and transferrin in g/L. Both values must be positive numbers. The result is expressed as a percentage.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a normal transferrin 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 TS differ from serum ferritin?
A: TS reflects current iron availability, while ferritin indicates iron stores. Both are needed for complete iron status assessment.

Q3: When should TS be measured?
A: When investigating anemia, suspected iron disorders, or monitoring iron therapy. Morning fasting samples are preferred.

Q4: What affects TS levels?
A: Inflammation, liver disease, and recent iron intake can affect results. Chronic illness may lower TS without true iron deficiency.

Q5: Are there limitations to TS?
A: TS can fluctuate daily. It should be interpreted with other iron studies (ferritin, TIBC) and clinical context.