Transferrin saturation
Encyclopedia
Transferrin saturation, abbreviated as TSAT and measured as a percentage, is a medical laboratory value. It is the ratio of serum iron
and total iron-binding capacity
, multiplied by 100. Of the transferrin
that is available to bind iron, this value tells a clinician how much serum iron is actually bound. For instance, a value of 15 % means that 15 % of free iron is being carried by transferrin. For an explanation of some clinical situations in which this ratio is important, see Total iron-binding capacity
. The three results are usually reported together.
μg/dl = micrograms per deciliter.
Laboratories often use different units and "normal" may vary by population and the lab techniques used. Look at the individual laboratory reference values to interpret a specific test (for instance, your own).
Serum iron
Serum iron is a medical laboratory test that measures the amount of circulating iron that is bound to transferrin. Clinicians order this laboratory test when they are concerned about iron deficiency, which can cause anemia and other problems....
and total iron-binding capacity
Total iron-binding capacity
Total iron-binding capacity is a medical laboratory test that measures the blood's capacity to bind iron with transferrin. It is performed by drawing blood and measuring the maximum amount of iron that it can carry, which indirectly measures transferrin since transferrin is the most dynamic carrier...
, multiplied by 100. Of the transferrin
Transferrin
Transferrins are iron-binding blood plasma glycoproteins that control the level of free iron in biological fluids. In humans, it is encoded by the TF gene.Transferrin is a glycoprotein that binds iron very tightly but reversibly...
that is available to bind iron, this value tells a clinician how much serum iron is actually bound. For instance, a value of 15 % means that 15 % of free iron is being carried by transferrin. For an explanation of some clinical situations in which this ratio is important, see Total iron-binding capacity
Total iron-binding capacity
Total iron-binding capacity is a medical laboratory test that measures the blood's capacity to bind iron with transferrin. It is performed by drawing blood and measuring the maximum amount of iron that it can carry, which indirectly measures transferrin since transferrin is the most dynamic carrier...
. The three results are usually reported together.
Usual values
Normal reference ranges are:- Serum iron: 60–170 μg/dl (10–30μmol/L)
- TIBC: 240–450 μg/dl
- Transferrin saturation: 15–50% (males), 12–45% (females)
μg/dl = micrograms per deciliter.
Laboratories often use different units and "normal" may vary by population and the lab techniques used. Look at the individual laboratory reference values to interpret a specific test (for instance, your own).