1. What is Transferrin Saturation (TSAT)?

Transferrin saturation (TSAT) measures the percentage of transferrin that is saturated with iron. It's an important marker in assessing iron status and diagnosing iron deficiency or overload conditions.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the TSAT equation:

Where:

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

Explanation: The equation calculates what percentage of available transferrin binding sites are occupied by iron.

3. Importance of TSAT Calculation

Details: TSAT is crucial for diagnosing iron disorders - low TSAT suggests iron deficiency while high TSAT may indicate iron overload or hemochromatosis.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter serum iron and TIBC values in μg/dL. Both values must be positive numbers for accurate calculation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

Q2: How does TSAT differ from serum ferritin?
A: TSAT reflects current iron availability while ferritin reflects iron stores. Both are needed for complete iron status assessment.

Q3: When should TSAT be measured?
A: Morning fasting sample is ideal, as iron levels fluctuate throughout the day and after meals.

Q4: What conditions affect TSAT interpretation?
A: Inflammation can lower TSAT independent of iron status. Chronic illness may require different reference ranges.

Q5: How often should TSAT be monitored during iron therapy?
A: Typically every 3 months during iron replacement, but frequency depends on the clinical situation.