1. What is Iron Percent Saturation?

Iron percent saturation is a measure of how much iron is bound to transferrin, the main iron transport protein in blood. It's calculated as the ratio of serum iron to total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), expressed as a percentage. This test helps evaluate iron status in the body.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the iron percent saturation formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The formula calculates what percentage of available iron-binding sites on transferrin are actually occupied by iron.

3. Importance of Iron Saturation

Details: Iron saturation helps diagnose iron deficiency or iron overload conditions. Normal range is typically 20-50% for women. Low values may indicate iron deficiency, while high values may suggest 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, testing should be done in the morning after fasting.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the normal iron saturation range for women?
A: Typically 20-50%. Values below 15% suggest iron deficiency, while values above 50% may indicate iron overload.

Q2: How does this differ for men?
A: While the calculation is the same, normal ranges may differ slightly (typically 20-55% for men).

Q3: When should iron saturation be tested?
A: When evaluating anemia, suspected iron deficiency, or hemochromatosis. Also useful for monitoring iron therapy.

Q4: What affects iron and TIBC levels?
A: Inflammation, liver disease, malnutrition, and recent iron intake can affect results. Testing should be done fasting.

Q5: Are there limitations to this calculation?
A: This is just one component of iron studies. Ferritin and other tests provide additional important information.