Transferrin saturation studies in male adults showing high prevalence of iron deficiency

Estimation of serum iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC) and transferrin saturation was performed in 62 apparently healthy male medical students. All had haemoglobin over 140 g/1. Low serum iron, elevated level of TIBC and transferrin saturation under 20% indicating iron deficiency state was found in 2 subjects. Elevated values of TIBC was found in 25 (40.32%) students as evidence of latent iron deficiency. Such high prevalence of iron deficiency in an affluent group indicates widespread iron deficiency in the general population.