What happens to transferrin saturation in iron deficiency anemia?

In iron deficiency anemia, the body's iron levels are depleted, leading to a reduction in the amount of iron available for transport. Transferrin is the primary protein responsible for the transport of iron in the bloodstream, and it plays a crucial role in iron homeostasis.

When there is a deficiency of iron, the total iron binding capacity (TIBC) typically increases as the body attempts to compensate for the lack of iron. However, the actual amount of iron that can bind to transferrin diminishes due to the lower availability of iron. As a result, the percentage of transferrin saturation, which is calculated as the ratio of serum iron to TIBC, decreases significantly. This decrease is a hallmark of iron deficiency anemia and reflects the insufficient iron stores in the body, validating the conclusion that percent saturation decreases significantly.