Erythropoietin:
Why Erythropoietin Test?
CLINICAL INFORMATION
Erythropoietin (EPO) is also known by other names such as Epogen, Hematopoietin etc. Erythropoietin (EPO) is a hormone present in the blood, which is synthesized majorly by the kidneys and also in lesser amounts by the liver (comparatively). EPO plays a vital role in the regulation of RBCs. When this hormone level is increased it signals the bone marrow to produce more RBCs –i.e Erythrocytosis. The cause for an increase in EPO is hypoxia (when the blood oxygen level is low i.e Hypoxemia), anaemia etc. EPO Test is screened to help determine the cause of anemias such as hemolysis, polycythemia (high RBC Count or Erythrocytosis), bone marrow disorders etc. Hence any alterations in the levels of RBCs will be reflected (since their ratios are inversely proportional to each other) in the levels of EPO (Erythropoietin) eg. Anemic patients with low RBCs will have elevated levels of Erythropoietin. Other causes for elevated EPO may be lung diseases (EPO may try to compensate for low oxygen levels in the blood), people living in higher altitudes, chronic tobacco smokers etc. Therefore this EPO test is ordered by the physician on abnormal test results such as low RBCs, low Hb (hemoglobin), hematocrit etc or to find any pathological causes i.e investigations - such as to know the etiology of anaemia like JAK2 Mutation, (deficiencies of iron and/or vitamin –B12, folate resulting in megaloblastic anaemia etc), chronic kidney disease or kidney dysfunction, bone marrow disorders eg. Myeloproliferative disorders (eg MPN- Myelo-proliferative Neoplasm) and/or Myelodysplastic syndrome, to distinguish between primary and secondary polycythemia i.e Erythrocytosis, benign or malignant tumours of the kidneys, increased viscosity of blood in polycythemia vera leading to thrombosis (blood clots), heart attack, stroke etc. Additional tests include reticulocyte count etc.
General Instructions:
Sample Requirement: Specimen - Blood sample collected from the vein. Test Preparation: None.
NOTE - Sample for specimen collections may vary based on the patient’s condition/cases according to the patient’s presenting complaints/signs or symptoms:
SPECIMEN REQUIREMENT (Special or Rare Cases) - As instructed and guided by Physician / Clinician / Pathologist / as per Laboratory’s requirements, according to procedures and protocols.
This Multi-Specialty Clinical Referral Laboratory RTDIAGNOSTICS provides precise and accurate tests with an extensive range of testing services to the medical centres to help in the diagnosis and identification of pathology in the test specimens for infectious diseases and also to evaluate the function of organ systems of the patient. It prevents further complications and helps to stabilize and restore health to near normalcy at the earliest without delay.
