Erythropoietin

Label Mnemonic:	EPO
Epic code:	LAB3082
Downtime form:	A-1a Doctor/Provider Orders - Pathology Core and Specialty Care Nursery

Commercial Mailout Laboratory
6240-8 RCP
356-8593

Specimen(s):

Serum

Collection Medium:

Red top tube 5 mL (Clot Activator)

Alternate Collection Media:

Plasma Separator Tube 4.5 mL or Call laboratory for additional acceptable specimen collection containers.

Minimum:

Preferred Minimum: 1.0 mL serum
Absolute Minimum: 0.5 mL serum

Call Specimen Control at 319-356-3527 for additional specimen types.
If additional tests are going to be ordered, extra red top tubes may be needed. Please call the lab for consultation.

Rejection Criteria:

Bone Marrow aspirate. EDTA plasma specimens and hemolyzed specimens.

Delivery Instructions:

Deliver to laboratory immediately after collection.

Turn Around Time:

4 working days upon receipt at reference laboratory

Reference Range:

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 %)

Source: Caro J and Erslev AJ. Erythropoietin assays and their use in 
the study of anemias. Contrib Nephrol 1988; 66:54-62. Review.

Methodology:

Quantitative Chemiluminescent Immunoassay

CPT Code:

82668

See Additional Information:
Specimens Requiring Immediate Delivery