[The coefficient of saturation of iron in transferrin]

Theoretical iron fixation capacity of transferrin (FCT) can be calculated on its immunochemical titration: (FCT (mumol/l = transferrin (g/l) x 25). Today, its reckoning is more advisable to serum total iron binding capacity measurement. The authors studied the effects of this new proceeding upon usual values interval of transferrin saturation (i.e. serum iron/FCT ratio). The mean value and the distribution of transferrin saturation appear displaced with regard to those achieved by chemical measurement of serum total iron binding capacity. We discuss interpretation of transferrin saturation related to its methods of determination and its semiological interest.