1. What is Iron Saturation?

Iron saturation, also called transferrin saturation, measures the percentage of iron-binding sites on transferrin that are occupied by iron. It's a key indicator of iron status in the body and helps diagnose iron deficiency or overload.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the MDCalc formula:

Where:

• \( \text{Serum Iron} \) — Serum iron concentration in μg/dL
• \( \text{TIBC} \) — Total iron-binding capacity in 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 metabolism 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. For accurate results, blood should be drawn in the morning after fasting.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

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

Q3: When should iron saturation be measured?
A: When evaluating anemia, suspected iron deficiency, or hemochromatosis. Also used to monitor iron therapy.

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

Q5: Is fasting required for the test?
A: Yes, 12-hour fasting is recommended as dietary iron can temporarily increase serum iron levels.