Transferrin saturation

The transferrin saturation is a derived parameters of iron metabolism, is calculated from the concentration of iron and transferrin in serum. Transferrin is an iron - transport protein. The value of the transferrin saturation provides an indication of the filling state of the iron stores of the body of warm-blooded mammals. A reduced transferrin saturation (insufficient loading of transferrin with iron) speaks for iron deficiency, increased transferrin saturation speaks for iron overload ( hemochromatosis ) or an increased release of iron (hemolysis ).

To answer the question of whether an iron deficiency exists, the determination of transferrin saturation is often more appropriate than the pure ferritin determination as ferritin may be as acute phase protein in infections also in iron deficiency false- normal, or even increased.

The transferrin saturation TFS is calculated as follows from the values ​​for iron ( Fe) [ g / dl ] and transferrin ( TF) [mg / dl ]:

The normal value of the transferrin saturation is between 16 and 45 %.