Transferrin saturation
Transferrin saturation is the share of transferrin that is carrying iron right now. It is calculated from iron and transferrin or TIBC.
At a glance
- Sample
- Blood
- Units
- %
- Often looked at with
- Iron, Ferritin, Transferrin, TIBC
- Preparation
- Labs usually ask you to come in the morning, fasting: the iron level changes during the day, and food can raise it.
Units
Transferrin saturation is a percentage, printed the same way in the US and in Europe, so there is nothing to convert.
Why lab ranges differ
Each lab sets its reference range for its own method and analyser, and many ranges differ by age and sex. Two labs can print different ranges for the same blood, so a result is read against the range on its own report, not against a number from another lab or a website.
Soma charts every transferrin saturation result against the range printed by the lab that measured it.
What can affect the result
- Time of day: higher in the morning.
- Iron supplements the day before.
- Food before the test.
If something like this applies, mention it to the doctor who reads your results.
Questions
Why does my lab’s transferrin saturation range differ from another lab’s?
Each lab sets its range for its own method and equipment, and many ranges differ by age and sex. That’s why a result is best read against the range printed on the same report.
How do I prepare for a transferrin saturation test?
Labs usually ask you to come in the morning, fasting: the iron level changes during the day, and food can raise it. Follow your lab’s instructions.
Related tests
Got a lab report with Transferrin saturation?
Share it to Soma: it reads every row on your phone, with no account and no upload, and puts your transferrin saturation on one chart with your earlier results, each against the range your lab printed.
Sources
- Iron Tests — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Mention of a source doesn’t mean it endorses Soma. This page explains the test; it doesn’t diagnose and is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about what your results mean.