Percent Transferrin Saturation
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The percent transferrin saturation is the serum iron divided by the total
iron-binding capacity (TIBC) and is useful in evaluating the status of the
body iron storage
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Serum Iron Concentration:
mcg/dL
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Men: 65 to 176 μg/dL (11.6-31.7 μmol/L)
Women: 50 to 170 μg/dL (9.0-30.4 μmol/L)
Newborns: 100 to 250 μg/dL
Children: 50 to 120 μg/dL |
Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC):
mcg/dL
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250-370 μg/dL (45-66 μmol/L) |
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Background Info
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The transferrin saturation (measured as a percentage), is useful in evaluating
anemia, iron deficiency or iron deficiency anemia. It is the value of
serum iron divided by the total iron-binding capacity. It gives the
precentage of transferrin available that is bound to iron and ranges from
15-50% in males, or 12-45% in females. Some references list
the normal ranges as 20-50% in males, or 15-50% in females.
Translation: a value of 20 percent means that 20% of iron-binding sites
of transferrin are being occupied by iron. The three results are usually
reported together:
Serum iron: 60-170 μg/dL (10-30 μmol/L)
Total iron-binding capacity: 240-450 μg/dL
Transferrin saturation: 15-50% (males), 12-45% (females)
Equation:
Percent transferrin saturation = serum
iron/TIBC x 100
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References
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Fairbanks VF, Baldus WP: Iron overload. In Hematology. Fourth edition.
Edited by WJ Williams, AJ Erslev, MA Lichtman. New York, McGraw-Hill Book
Company, 1990, pp 482-505.
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