Serum iron
• higher end for men
TIBC (total iron binding capacity) or Transferrin
• Low in range indicates lack of capacity for additional iron
Saturation
• optimal is 35 to 45%
• higher end for men
• to calculate divide serum iron by TIBC
• minimum saturation of 30% required to successfully treat with T3
• Low, beginning doses of T3 can be started with saturation at 25%
Ferritin
• Low level virtually always indicates need for iron supplementation
• High level with low serum iron/low saturation indicates inflammation
or infection
• High level with high serum iron and low TIBC indicates excess iron