Transferrin Saturation Calculator - Check Body Iron

Transferrin Saturation Calculator

• The Transferrin Saturation Calculator is also known as the Transferrin Serum Iron Saturation Calculator.
• Transferrin Saturation Calculator helps you to find the will help to characterize the iron economy of your body. 
• Transferrin is a specialized iron carrier protein present in our blood. Each transferrin molecule can carry up to two iron (Fe³⁺) ions.
• The values needed for the estimation are Fe – Serum iron concentration (in µg/dL), TIBC – Total iron binding capacity (in µg/dL), and TF – Serum transferrin concentration (mg/dL).

Steps To Calculate Transferrin Saturation (TSAT) Calculator

1. Enter Serum iron (Fe) concentration
2. Enter Total iron-binding capacity (TIBC)
3. Check the Result of Transferrin Saturation

Transferrin Saturation Calculator Formula

Here is the formula to calculate Transferrin Saturation.

What is Transferrin Saturation (TSAT)

• Transferrin Saturation (TSAT) is a medical laboratory value. 
• Transferrin saturation measures the amount of iron bound to transferrin, a protein that carries iron in the blood. 
• It is the percent of transferrin that has iron bound to it. 
• Transferrin Serum Iron Saturation calculator has given here to determine the TSAT value based on the SE and total iron binding capacity. 
• TSAT, iron-binding capacity, and saturation can be interchanged where iron-binding capacity shows a patient’s iron status.
• It is calculated by dividing the serum iron level by the total iron binding capacity (TIBC) and multiplying by 100. 

Interpretation of Transferrin Saturation Values

Transferrin saturation, measured as a percentage, helps evaluate iron deficiency, anemia, or on the contrary, iron overload (in hemosiderosis, iron poisoning, or hemochromatosis):

• <20% in males, <15% in females – indicates iron deficiency;
• >50% – indicates iron overload or hemochromatosis.

Transferrin Saturation Reference Range

• Transferrin saturations of less than 20% indicate iron deficiency, while transferrin saturations of more than 50% suggest iron overload.
• The terms transferrin saturation and iron-binding capacity, saturation, are interchangeable; however, this value is now most commonly referred to simply as transferrin saturation. 
• This minimizes confusion with another value, iron-binding capacity, which is used when determining a patient’s iron status

Normal Range Of Transferrin Saturation

• The normal range for transferrin saturation is 20-50%.
• Males: 15-50%
• Females: 12-45%.

How to Calculate Transferrin Saturation

• To use the calculator, simply plug in your values for serum iron and TIBC. 
• For example, if your serum iron level is 50 mcg/dL and your TIBC is 300 mcg/dL, your transferrin saturation would be calculated as follows:

Transferrin Saturation = FE / TIBC = (50 mcg/dL / 300 mcg/dL) * 100 = 16.7%

Low Transferrin Saturation Symptoms

A person with a low iron saturation in the blood may experience various symptoms of iron deficiency.

• Pale skin
• Brittle nails or spooning of the nails
• Swollen or sore tongue
• Chest pain
• Poor concentration
• Tiredness
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Shortness of breath
• Weakness
• Heart palpitations
• Hair loss
• Trusted Source
• Restless legs
• Unusual cravings for nonfood items, such as ice or paint

Risk factors for low iron saturation

Here are risk factors which can include low iron saturation or iron deficiency anemia

• Age: Infants, young children, pregnant people, and those approaching menopause have an increased risk.
• Genetics: Certain bleeding disorders, such as Von Willebrand’s disease, affect the blood’s ability to clot.
• Lifestyle factors: These include eating a vegetarian or vegan diet, eating a diet low in iron-rich foods, and undergoing frequent blood tests or donations.
• Hormonal changes: People who experience heavy menstruation have a higher risk of becoming anemic. The risk also increases during pregnancy for individual patient care.

Decreased transferrin saturation can be caused by following

• Iron-poor diet (e.g., vegan)
• Impaired iron absorption (e.g., celiac disease)
• Pregnancy and lactation
• Hormonal contraceptives
• Chronic blood loss (e.g., colon cancer)

Increased transferrin saturation can be caused by following

• Iron-rich diet
• Iron supplements
• Increased iron absorption (e.g., primary hemochromatosis)
• Repeated blood transfusions
• Iron binding capacity

Test For Transferrin Saturation

• A complete blood count: This blood test reveals the blood cell count, the hemoglobin level, the hematocrit level, and the mean corpuscular volume.
• Serum iron test: This test measures the amount of iron in the blood. The level of iron may indicate whether a person has a low iron saturation level.
• Peripheral smear: This test involves looking at the red blood cells under a microscope to see whether they appear smaller and paler than usual.
• Transferrin or TIBC test: This test will measure the amount of transferrin in the blood.

Prevention

A person can take steps to prevent low iron saturation levels.

• Meat and poultry
• Seafood
• Leafy green vegetables, such as broccoli and kale
• Legumes, such as pinto beans and black-eyed peas
• Iron-enriched pasta, grains, rice, and cereals

Summary

Overall Transferrin Saturation Calculator will help you to control and try to prevent low iron saturation levels in your body. Check More Medical and Health Related Calcultor on Drlogy Calculator to get exact health solution.

Reference

• Transferrin saturation by Wikipedia [1].
• Transferrin - Health Encyclopedia - URMC [2].