How to interpret transferrin iron binding capacity (TSAT)?
Transferrin iron binding capacity is calculated by dividing the serum iron level by the total iron-binding capacity.
The total iron-binding capacity reflects circulating transferrin, the major iron-binding protein in plasma.
Transferrin iron binding capacity correlates with the amount of iron available for erythropoiesis, because only circulating iron is available to the bone marrow for incorporation into RBC.
Patients with Transferrin iron binding capacity <20% have decreased iron delivery to the erythroid marrow, but supplemental iron can only correct this if the iron is effectively released from storage sites to the transferrin carrier protein.
