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Low transferrin saturation level in the blood

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Low transferrin saturation level in the blood
portrait of Javier Muga Bustamante Ph.D.
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Javier Muga Bustamante Ph.D.
Medically reviewed by Javier Muga Bustamante Ph.D.

Last update: 23/04/2020

Summary

  1. What is low transferrin saturation percentage called?
  2. What is the normal transferrin saturation percentage in the blood?
  3. What does a low transferrin saturation mean?
  4. Which factors can reduce the transferrin saturation?
  5. Which diseases can reduce your transferrin saturation?
  6. Which values are considered a low transferrin saturation in the blood?

What is low transferrin saturation percentage called?

  • Transferrin saturation low percentage

What is the normal transferrin saturation percentage in the blood?

If you need to know which are the transferrin saturation reference ranges or you require more information about the role of transferrin saturation in the blood, you can visit normal transferrin saturation level in the blood

What does a low transferrin saturation mean?

The transferrin saturation is an index to measure the percentage of iron that is being transported of the total amount that transferrin can carry through the bloodstream.

A low percentage of transferrin saturation may be a sign of iron deficit in the body. It is suggestive of some types of anemia and it is usually correlated with a low level of hemoglobin.

The types of anemias that shows a low percentage of transferrin saturation are iron-deficiency anemia and anemia of the chronic disease.

  • Mild transferrin saturation decrease (10 - 20% in adult men and 10 - 15% in adult women):

    The transferrin saturation is a bit low and may be a sign of mild or moderate anemia.

    In case of suffering iron-deficiency anemia, serum iron may be low (below 60 µg/dL), ferritin in the blood may be low and TIBC (total iron binding capacity) will be high (above 400 µg/dL).

    In case of suffering an anemia of chronic disease the serum iron will be low, TIBC will be in the normal range or a bit low and ferritin in the blood in the normal range or a bit high.

  • Marked transferrin saturation decrease (< 10% in adults):

    The transferrin saturation percentage is very low. It may suggest the existence of an iron-deficiency anemia.

    In case of iron-deficiency anemia, serum iron may be low (below 40 µg/dL), ferritin in the blood may be low (below 10 ng/dL) and TIBC (total iron binding capacity) will be high.

    The transferrin saturation percentage could be near 0 % in severe anemia.

Which factors can reduce the transferrin saturation?

There are some circumstances than can reduce your transferrin saturation:

  • Iron deficiency
  • Pregnancy

Which diseases can reduce your transferrin saturation?

Lower than normal transferrin saturation can be due to:

    Where can I find more information about transferrin saturation in the blood?

    You can visit our pages about:

    Which values are considered a low transferrin saturation in the blood?

    The following values are considered to be below the normal range:

    IMPORTANT: These levels are expressed in %. They are an example of a healthy woman of about 45 years old with a balanced diet, not known disease and not taking any medication. The ranges can be different depending on the laboratory or on your personal circumstances.

    Transferrin saturation
    Mild transferrin saturation decrease
    14 %13 %12 %11 %10 %   
    Marked transferrin saturation decrease
    9 %8 %7 %6 %5 %4 %3 %2 %
    1 %0 %      
    Medically reviewed by Javier Muga Bustamante Ph.D. on 23/04/2020

    Bibliography

    • Tietz. Fundamentals of Clinical Chemistry. Carl A. Burtis, Edward R. Ashwood, David E. Bruns, Barbara G. Sawyer. WB Saunders Company, 2008. Pag 519. ISBN: 978-0-7216-3865-2.
    • Laboratory tests and diagnostic procedures with nursing diagnoses (8th ed), Jane Vincent Corbett, Angela Denise Banks, ISBN: 978-0-13-237332-6, Pag. 39.
    • Kasvosve, Ishmael & Delanghe, Joris. (2002). Total Iron Binding Capacity and Transferrin Concentration in the Assessment of Iron Status. Clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine: CCLM / FESCC. 40. 1014-8. 10.1515/CCLM.2002.176. Available on: https://www.researchgate.net
    • Ooi, Cara & Lepage, Nathalie & Nieuwenhuys, Ed & Sharma, Ajay & Filler, Guido. (2009). Pediatric reference intervals for soluble transferrin receptor and transferrin receptor-ferritin index. World journal of pediatrics : WJP. 5. 122-6. 10.1007/s12519-009-0024-3. Available on: https://www.researchgate.net

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