1. What is Iron Saturation?

Iron saturation measures the percentage of transferrin (and other iron-binding proteins) that are saturated with 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 iron saturation formula:

Where:

• Iron — Serum iron concentration in micrograms per deciliter (μg/dL)
• TIBC — Total iron-binding capacity in micrograms per deciliter (μg/dL)

Explanation: The calculation shows what percentage of the iron-binding sites on transferrin are occupied by iron.

3. Importance of Iron Saturation

Details: Iron saturation helps diagnose iron deficiency anemia, hemochromatosis, and other iron metabolism disorders. It's particularly useful when interpreted alongside ferritin levels.

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 iron and 250-450 μg/dL for TIBC.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a normal iron saturation level?
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 transferrin saturation?
A: They're essentially the same calculation. Transferrin saturation is technically more accurate but requires direct transferrin measurement.

Q3: When should iron studies be ordered?
A: When evaluating anemia, suspected iron overload, or monitoring iron therapy. Morning fasting samples are preferred.

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

Q5: Is this calculator suitable for children?
A: While the calculation is the same, reference ranges differ for children. Consult pediatric reference values for interpretation.