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Iron Studies Interpretation Calculator

Work out iron studies interpretation instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Iron Studies Interpretation Calculator

Interprets ferritin with transferrin saturation, raising the ferritin threshold to 100 ng/mL when inflammation is present as guidelines advise.

Formula

Iron deficiency thresholds

Absolute iron deficiency: ferritin <30 ng/mL (or <100 with inflammation) with transferrin saturation <20%. Functional deficiency: normal or high ferritin with saturation <20%

Worked example

With the default values below, Iron Studies Interpretation Calculator returns Iron study pattern of Absolute iron deficiency pattern. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Ferritinaccepts 1–2,000 ng/mL
15 ng/mL
Transferrin saturationaccepts 1–100 %
12 %
Inflammation presentone of Yes (CRP raised), No
No

Results

Iron study pattern
Absolute iron deficiency pattern
Ferritin threshold applied
30 ng/mL
Transferrin saturation
Below 20% — reduced iron supply
Iron stores
Low iron stores

Step by step

  1. 1Values used
  2. 2Iron deficiency thresholds
  3. 3Iron study pattern= Absolute iron deficiency pattern
  4. 4Ferritin threshold applied= 30 ng/mL
  5. 5Transferrin saturation= Below 20% — reduced iron supply
  6. 6Iron stores= Low iron stores

Assumptions and limits

  • The result is derived only from the 3 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
  • In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
  • Figures are rounded for display to whole numbers, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.
  • Educational estimate only. Not a substitute for professional clinical judgement, and must not be used to make treatment or dosing decisions.
  • This is an estimate for general information and not professional medical advice. See the full disclaimer for the limits that apply to this kind of calculator.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Educational estimate only. Not a substitute for professional clinical judgement, and must not be used to make treatment or dosing decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does inflammation raise ferritin?

Ferritin is an acute phase protein, so it rises with inflammation independently of iron stores.

Which test is most specific?

Low ferritin is highly specific for iron deficiency; transferrin saturation adds information about iron available for erythropoiesis.

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