low iron saturation - iron infusion.

[Ceba1]

I have an iron saturation level of 17. I saw someone post here that if it is under 20 an infusion is appropriate. Where is the “under 20” guideline from? If it is from a reliable source, I would like to show it to my doctor. She advised me to take oral iron - which I do - but did not order the transfusion.

[ChrisColumbus]

What is your serum Ferritin level?

The recent Clinical Practice Guideline from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine states:

"In all patients with clinically significant RLS, clinicians should regularly test serum iron studies including ferritin and transferrin saturation (calculated from iron and total iron binding capacity). Testing should ideally be administered in the morning avoiding all iron-containing supplements and foods at least 24 hours prior to blood draw.

Analysis of iron studies greatly influences the decision to use oral or intravenous (IV) iron treatment. Consensus guidelines, which have not been empirically tested, suggest that supplementation of iron in adults with RLS should be instituted with oral or IV iron if serum ferritin ≤ 75 ng/mL or transferrin saturation < 20%, and only with IV iron if serum ferritin is between 75 and 100 ng/mL...These iron supplementation guidelines are different than for the general population."

It adds later in the CPG:

"...people with RLS need regular and affordable access to iron infusion, not only at specialized RLS centers. Currently, this treatment is not reimbursed by payers specifically for RLS, and most patients require a comorbidity to obtain this treatment."

jcsm.aasm.org/doi/10.5664/j...

[SueJohnson]

You might show that you are under the normal range for TSAT and being below the normal range might indicate anemia mrlabtest.com/normal-transf...