Is Your Transferrin Saturated?

The percentage transferrin saturation lets you know how much of your transferrin is filled with iron. Remember, transferrin is the major transport protein for iron, and just how "full" it is helps determine iron status.

Like a bus that is only 20% full, much room is available when % transferrin saturation is low. It will typically be low in iron deficiency anemia, waiting to pick up some more iron wherever it is available. The %transferrin saturation can also be low in chronic illness, cancer, insulin resistance, diabesity, and inflammation. Cardiovascular disease may be associated with a low or a high %transferrin saturation. 

An elevated %transferrin saturation can be associated with iron overload, type 1 and 2 diabetes, and hemolytic, sideroblastic, and megaloblastic anemias.

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