Transferrin-Saturation-Calculator

There are a lot of causes of low haemoglobin levels in the blood. One of the most common of these is Iron deficiency Anaemia, with a prevalence of up to 50% in some areas especially in women. Anaemia results in feeling weak and tired, high heart rate, dizziness, etc. Patients being evaluated for Anaemia are often asked to get iron saturation calculation done. This includes checking for Iron and ferritin levels, total Iron binding capacity TIBC), and transferrin vs ferritin saturation. Transferrin saturation is a simple measure to evaluate how effectively cells are able to perform their function of carrying oxygen.

A Transferrin Saturation Calculator is an online tool that can help you know the Transferrin Saturation percentage by inputting the Serum Iron concentration and Total Iron-binding capacity. 

Transferrin is a protein produced by the liver that is responsible for transporting Iron. One transferrin particle can bind with two ions of Iron in its Ferric form. Transferrin binds to Iron particles in the intestine, where Iron is isolated from the food we consume. Once transferrin reaches places like the bone marrow where red blood cell production occurs, it encounters cells that have transferrin receptors. At this site, it releases the two Iron ions which are used to produce haemoglobin.

Total Iron binding capacity (TIBC) is a medical term used to measure the amount of Iron that can be bound by transferrin, a protein responsible for transporting Iron in the blood. TIBC helps assess the body's ability to carry Iron, aiding in the diagnosis of conditions related to Iron deficiency or overload.

A high transferrin may suggest Iron deficiency, Anaemia, where the body tries to increase its Iron-carrying capacity. It can also be seen in conditions like pregnancy or chronic inflammatory diseases. Conversely, a low TIBC may indicate Iron overload disorders like hemochromatosis or liver disease. Accurate interpretation requires considering TIBC in conjunction with other Iron-related parameters.

Transferrin saturation can be calculated using the ‘fe’ calculator where:

Transferrin saturation is a value that is obtained by the following formulae:

The blood is formed by many cells, one of which are red blood cells (RBCs) or erythrocytes. The main function of RBCs is to carry oxygen and nutrients to various parts of the body using a special protein called haemoglobin. 

For haemoglobin to be produced, Iron is essential. A fall in Iron levels can cause decreased haemoglobin production and, consequently a decrease in the RBCs. This clinical condition where there is a decrease in haemoglobin or in the number of RBCs is called Anaemia. 

As per iron profile interpretation, there are many different types of Anaemia. One of the most common types of Anaemia is Iron Deficiency Anaemia, which as the name suggests, is due to low levels of Iron in the body. Symptoms of Iron Deficiency Anaemia include the following. 

Anaemia is diagnosed by blood tests. The first line of testing involves looking at blood cell counts and cell indices. If you are found to have a low level of haemoglobin, then further tests like a Transferrin blood test may be indicated by your doctor. TSAT test is one of them.

The TSAT normal range is between 20-50%. This varies with gender & age. Typically the upper limit for men is usually 45-50%, and for women is 30-40%. 

When Transferrin Saturation is below 15% in females and 20% in males, it is diagnostic of Transferrin Saturation low or Iron Deficiency Anaemia. When Transferrin Saturation is above 50%, it is considered as a condition of excess Iron in the body. 

This is summarised in the table below.

Transferrin Saturation is a value that shows how many Iron binding sites on the transferrin molecules are actually bound with Iron particles. Therefore, when there is Iron deficiency, the Transferrin saturation is reduced as there is not enough Iron in the body to bind with the transferrin proteins. Hence, a low Transferrin Saturation is diagnostic of Iron Deficiency Anaemia. 

Conversely, a Transferrin Saturation high rate can indicate a state of Iron overload. This can occur in cases of

Disclaimer: The content on this page is generic and shared only for informational and explanatory purposes. Please consult a doctor before making any health-related decisions.