1. What is Iron Saturation?

Iron saturation measures the percentage of transferrin that is saturated with iron. It helps evaluate iron status in the body and diagnose conditions like iron deficiency or iron overload.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the iron saturation formula:

Where:

• \( Serum\ Iron \) — Iron concentration in blood (μg/dL)
• \( Transferrin \) — Transferrin concentration in blood (mg/dL)
• \( 3.98 \) — Conversion factor for transferrin to iron-binding capacity

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

3. Importance of Iron Saturation

Details: Iron saturation is crucial for diagnosing iron metabolism disorders. Low values may indicate iron deficiency, while high values may suggest iron overload or hemochromatosis.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter serum iron in μg/dL and transferrin in mg/dL. Both values must be positive numbers. Fasting samples are preferred for accurate results.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a normal iron 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 this differ from TIBC?
A: TIBC (Total Iron-Binding Capacity) measures transferrin's capacity to bind iron, while iron saturation shows what percentage of that capacity is actually used.

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

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

Q5: Should this be used alone for diagnosis?
A: No, it should be interpreted alongside other tests like ferritin, hemoglobin, and clinical context.