ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory

0050227: Erythropoietin

Test Mnemonic: ERYTH
Methodology: Chemiluminescent Immunoassay

Performed: Sun-Sat

Reported: Within 24 hours

Specimen Required:  
Collect: One 4 mL SST or PST.

Transport: 1 mL serum or plasma at 2-8°C.  (Min: 0.5 mL)  Submit specimen in an ARUP Standard Transport Tube.

Pediatric Collection/Transport: 0.4 mL serum or plasma at 2-8°C.

Remarks: Allow serum to clot completely at room temperature.  Separate serum or plasma from cells ASAP.

Unacceptable Conditions: EDTA plasma or hemolyzed specimens.

Stability: After separation from cells: Ambient: 8 hours; Refrigerated: 1 week; Frozen: 2 months

Reference Interval:
Normal serum concentrations of erythropoietin for 95% of individuals with normal hematocrits range from 4-27 mU/mL. 

As the hematocrit is lowered by iron deficiency, aplastic or hemolytic anemia, the concentration of erythropoietin increases as shown in the graph below. In the absence of anemia, elevated concentrations are seen in renal tumors, as a manifestation of renal transplant rejection, and in secondary polycythemia. Low values may be observed in hemochromatosis.

Decreased erythropoietin concentrations with an elevated hematocrit are observed in patients with polycythemia rubra vera, and with a decreased hematocrit in patients with HIV infection who are receiving AZT. Patients on AZT who have anemia and erythropoietin concentrations of less than or equal to 500 mU/mL, may benefit from therapy with recombinant EPO (NEJM 322:1488-1493, 1990).

EXPECTED ERYTHROPOIETIN CONCENTRATIONS IN PATIENTS WITH UNCOMPLICATED ANEMIA

                    ERYTHROPOIETIN (mU/mL)

                100,000 -

     
                                     
                  10,000 -       .............
                                          .............
                                            .............
                                              .............
                    1,000 -                .............
                                                  .............
                                                    .............
                                                      .............
                        100 -                        .............
                                                          .............
                                                            .............
                          10 -                              .............
                                                                .............
                              ___________________________       
                                          10  20  30  40  50  60  70

                                              (HEMATOCRIT %)

(CONTRIBUTIONS TO NEPHROLOGY 1988:66:54-62)

CPT Code(s):
82668