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Iron Deficiency Calculator

Grade your iron deficiency risk from lab values and symptoms — using ferritin and TSAT cutoffs, WHO hemoglobin thresholds and a weighted symptom score.

Symptoms (check all that apply)

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Your iron deficiency risk

No risk

Ferritin

—

TSAT

—

Hemoglobin

—

Symptom score

0 / 13

Your iron parameters and symptoms do not currently suggest iron deficiency. If fatigue persists, ask your GP for a ferritin test and a complete blood count anyway.

Cutoffs (general adults)

MarkerNo riskMildModerateSevere
Ferritin (ng/mL)≥ 10030–9915–29< 15
TSAT (%)≥ 20 %16–19 %< 16 %—
Hb women (g/dL)≥ 12.011.0–11.98.0–10.9< 8.0
Hb men (g/dL)≥ 13.011.0–12.98.0–10.9< 8.0

How it works

The calculator combines four signals: (1) Ferritin reflects iron stores — values below 30 ng/mL indicate iron deficiency, below 15 ng/mL signal depleted stores. (2) Transferrin saturation (TSAT) reflects circulating iron — < 20 % is suspicious, < 16 % suggests iron-restricted erythropoiesis. (3) Hemoglobin is compared with WHO cutoffs — low values already indicate iron-deficiency anemia. (4) A weighted symptom score (max. 13 points) covers typical complaints like fatigue, restless legs and pica. The final severity equals the highest of the four estimates.

This calculator is intended for self-assessment in healthy adults and does not replace clinical evaluation. In pregnancy, chronic inflammation, kidney disease or cancer different ferritin cutoffs apply (acute-phase reactant). With breathlessness at rest, chest pain, syncope or black stools seek medical care immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

What ferritin value counts as iron deficiency?+
Ferritin below 30 ng/mL is generally considered iron deficiency, below 15 ng/mL signals depleted iron stores. In chronic inflammation or liver disease ferritin can be falsely elevated — a value up to 100 ng/mL may then still indicate deficiency.
What is transferrin saturation (TSAT)?+
TSAT shows how much iron is currently bound to the transport protein transferrin. Values below 20 % indicate restricted iron supply to iron-using tissues, below 16 % is considered clearly pathological.
Can iron deficiency exist without anemia?+
Yes, called latent iron deficiency: ferritin is low but hemoglobin still normal. This stage can last months to years — symptoms like fatigue, restless legs and hair loss often appear long before anemia.
Who is most at risk?+
Women of reproductive age (menstruation, pregnancy), vegans and vegetarians, endurance athletes, growing children, patients with chronic gastrointestinal disease or blood loss, and frequent blood donors.
How is iron deficiency treated?+
Mild to moderate cases: oral iron supplements (60–120 mg elemental iron per day, ideally fasting with vitamin C, away from coffee or tea) for at least 3 months. With intolerance, severe deficiency or concurrent chronic inflammation: intravenous iron.
Which foods cover iron requirements?+
Heme iron from red meat, fish and poultry is absorbed best. Plant-based non-heme iron from legumes, whole grains, nuts and dark leafy greens benefits from vitamin C for uptake. Coffee, black tea, dairy products and calcium inhibit iron absorption — space them apart.

Background

Iron Deficiency Calculator: Read Ferritin, TSAT and Symptoms Correctly

9 min