Anaemia, Polycythaemia, Bone Marrow Disorders, Kidney failure, Tumours of the kidney
The normal range of erythropoietin levels is
Males
5.8 - 9.9 IU/L
Females
6 - 10.6 IU/L What causes erythropoietin deficiency?
The causes of erythropoietin deficiency are
Kidney tumour
Renal failure
Polycythaemia vera
Rheumatoid arthritis
HIV
Carcinoma
Ulcerative colitis
Sickle cell anaemia
What foods contain erythropoietin?
The food that increases erythropoietin secretion are
Red meat, such as beef.
Organ meat, such as kidneys and liver.
Dark, leafy, green vegetables, spinach and kale.
Dried fruits, prunes and raisins.
Beans, Legumes and egg yolks.
Test result interpretation
Erythropoietin levels that are either high or too low cause a variety of blood diseases.
Decreased values in erythropoietin results with anaemia indicate renal dysfunction.
Increased values in erythropoietin test results with anaemia indicate bone marrow dysfunction.
Increased erythropoietin levels with anaemia could be due to iron or vitamin deficiency.
Increased erythropoietin test chart values with an increase in RBCs indicate kidneys producing too much erythropoietin.
Erythropoietin within normal range with an increase in red blood cells indicates primary polycythaemia.
Decreased level of erythropoietin :
Chronic kidney failure
The kidneys cannot produce enough EPO in chronic renal failure. If your EPO levels are low, your red blood cell count will decrease and you will develop anaemia. The majority of people with renal disease suffer from anemia. Anaemia can begin early in kidney illness and worsen as the kidneys stop producing EPO.
Increased erythropoietin levels indicative of
Polycythaemia
Polycythemia vera is a type of cancer of the blood. It causes the bone marrow to create an abnormally large number of red blood cells. These additional cells thicken the blood, causing it to clot and slowing its flow.
EPO levels are often low to low-normal in polycythemia vera and congenital/familial primary polycythemias. EPO levels are frequently normal or increased in secondary physiologic or non-physiologic polycythemias.
Kidney tumour
According to one study, renal cell carcinoma cells produce an inactive version of EPO, which may explain why patients with renal cell carcinoma have high EPO levels.
Abuse in Athletes
Some athletes exploit the circulatory system to enhance their sports performance. Athletes increase their red cell count to improve their performance. This is dangerous since it can result in fatal complications.
Some other diseases where erythropoietin values are low are
Rheumatoid arthritis
AIDS
Cancer
Ulcerative colitis
Sickle cell disease
Premature neonates.
The findings of an erythropoietin test cannot distinguish between primary and secondary polycythaemia. Erythropoietin result chart levels are within the normal range in some patients with primary polycythaemia. People who live at high altitudes may have higher erythropoietin levels in their test results than people who reside at lower altitudes.
A blood sample is required for the erythropoietin test method. Overnight fasting is required for the erythropoietin test protocol. The erythropoietin test is straightforward.
Exam Preparation
Fasting is required for the erythropoietin test, which is a blood test. The patient is asked to fast for 8-10 hours (overnight) before the test. Before the exam, you may be requested to lie down quietly for 20-30 minutes. The test requires a regular blood sample.
However, make sure to inform the doctor about any current medications before the tests.
Before taking the test, make sure you follow the doctor's instructions. The doctor will provide you instructions based on your medical condition.
What are the parameters included in the test?
The erythropoietin test values give an idea about the
Decrease in the level of erythropoietin in the blood
Increase in the erythropoietin levels in the blood
How frequently should you take this test?
The frequency of erythropoietin tests is determined by the doctor's recommendation and the underlying condition. After three months of treatment, the erythropoietin test results are repeated to check the prognosis.
In bone marrow diseases, erythropoietin levels are checked every 3-4 months to ensure recovery. To keep track of health, erythropoietin test results are repeated annually in persons with renal illness and blood disorders. If EPO levels were within the normal range, erythropoietin test results do not need to be repeated.