🩸 Transferrin Saturation (TSAT)
Assess iron status from serum iron and TIBC with transferrin saturation (TSAT).
Clinical takeaway
Interpret alongside ferritin.
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When to use
Evaluate iron deficiency and overload, including in CKD.
How it works
TSAT = serum iron / TIBC × 100. < 20% suggests deficiency; > 45% suggests overload.
Key points
- Interpret alongside ferritin.
- In CKD, TSAT ≤ 20% with appropriate ferritin suggests iron deficiency.
- High TSAT may indicate haemochromatosis.
References
Decision support for licensed clinicians only; not a substitute for clinical judgement, diagnosis or local protocols.
Worked calculation
The values below come from this tool's own example placeholders and are computed server-side with the formula shown on this page, so the arithmetic can be checked quickly. It demonstrates how to substitute values only — it is not clinical advice and not a real case.
| Serum iron | 60 µg/dL |
|---|---|
| TIBC | 300 µg/dL |
→TSAT20%
- Interpretation：Normal (20–45%)
- Formula：serum iron / TIBC × 100
Frequently asked questions
- What is Transferrin Saturation (TSAT)?
- Assess iron status from serum iron and TIBC with transferrin saturation (TSAT).
- How is Transferrin Saturation (TSAT) calculated? What is the core formula?
- TSAT = serum iron / TIBC × 100. < 20% suggests deficiency; > 45% suggests overload.
- When is Transferrin Saturation (TSAT) used?
- Evaluate iron deficiency and overload, including in CKD.
- What are the key clinical points for Transferrin Saturation (TSAT)?
- Interpret alongside ferritin. In CKD, TSAT ≤ 20% with appropriate ferritin suggests iron deficiency. High TSAT may indicate haemochromatosis.
- What are the limits and cautions when using Transferrin Saturation (TSAT)?
- For licensed clinicians and clinical researchers. Interpret results with history, investigations and local protocols; not a diagnosis or prescription, and not a substitute for multidisciplinary decision-making or local guidelines.
- How is Transferrin Saturation (TSAT) calculated in practice? Can you show a worked example?
- Inputs: Serum iron 60 µg/dL, TIBC 300 µg/dL → Result: TSAT 20 %（Interpretation: Normal (20–45%), Formula: serum iron / TIBC × 100）