Transferrin Saturation

A blood test that evaluates Transferrin Saturation, TIBC (en. Total Iron Binding Capacity) and UIBC (en. Unsaturated Iron Binding Capacity), is crucial for diagnosing and monitoring iron metabolism disorders.

1. Transferrin Saturation (TS): This is the percentage of iron in the serum that is bound to transferrin, based on the total iron level in the body. Normal TS is usually between 20-50%. This indicator allows doctors to assess how much iron is being used and whether there is enough iron for the body to function normally.
2. TIBC: indicates the maximum amount of iron that can be transported by transferrin. An increased TIBC may indicate iron deficiency in the body, as the body tries to increase the amount of transferrin to enhance iron absorption.
3. UIBC: the amount of iron that can be bound to transferrin but is not actually bound to iron. UIBC is the difference between TIBC and the amount of iron in the serum. This means that the higher the UIBC, the less iron is in the serum.

These indicators provide doctors with comprehensive information about the body's iron metabolism:

• Iron excess or deficiency: decreased transferrin saturation and increased UIBC may indicate iron deficiency, while increased TS and decreased UIBC may indicate iron excess in the body.
• Determining the causes of anemia: TIBC, UIBC, and TS can also be used to determine the causes of anemia. For example, in cases of iron deficiency anemia, TIBC and UIBC may be increased, while TS is decreased.