1. What is Iron Percent Saturation?

Iron percent saturation is a calculation that compares the amount of iron in the blood to the blood's capacity to transport iron. It helps evaluate iron metabolism and diagnose iron deficiency or overload.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the iron saturation formula:

Where:

• Blood Iron — Serum iron concentration in μg/dL
• TIBC — Total iron binding capacity in μg/dL

Explanation: The equation shows what percentage of the iron transport capacity is actually being used.

3. Importance of Iron Saturation

Details: Iron saturation helps diagnose iron deficiency anemia (low saturation) or hemochromatosis (high saturation). Normal range is typically 20-50%.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter blood iron and TIBC values in μg/dL. Both values must be positive numbers. Fasting morning samples are preferred for accurate results.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a normal iron saturation percentage?
A: Normal range is typically 20-50%. Below 20% suggests iron deficiency, while above 50% may indicate iron overload.

Q2: How does this differ from ferritin?
A: Ferritin measures iron stores, while iron saturation measures circulating iron and its transport capacity.

Q3: When should I test iron saturation?
A: When evaluating anemia, suspected iron disorders, or monitoring iron therapy. Morning fasting samples are ideal.

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

Q5: What if my saturation is high?
A: High saturation (>50%) may indicate hemochromatosis or iron overload and should be evaluated by a doctor.