Erythropoietin With Anemia Table

The following is a list of what is included in the item above. Click the test(s) below to view what biomarkers are measured along with an explanation of what the biomarker is measuring.

Also known as: EPO With Anemia Table, Erythropoietin (EPO) With Anemia Table

Erythropoietin

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The Erythropoietin With Anemia Table test contains 1 test with 1 biomarker. 

This test is not available in the following states: MA, ME, VT, CT, PA, WA, OR, ID.

Brief Description: The Erythropoietin With Anemia Table test measures the amount of erythropoietin (EPO) in the blood. Erythropoietin is a hormone produced mainly by the kidneys and, to a lesser extent, the liver. It plays a crucial role in stimulating the bone marrow to produce more red blood cells, which are vital for transporting oxygen throughout the body.

Collection Method: Blood Draw

Specimen Type: Serum

Test Preparation: No preparation required

When and Why a Erythropoietin With Anemia Table Test May Be Ordered

A physician might order this test when:

  1. A patient presents with anemia, and the cause is not clear.
  2. There is a need to differentiate between different causes of anemia.
  3. Evaluating the function of the kidneys, as they are the primary producers of EPO.
  4. Monitoring the health of patients who are receiving recombinant erythropoietin therapy.

What a Erythropoietin With Anemia Table Test Checks For

The test checks for the concentration of EPO in the blood. By comparing the EPO level to what would be expected given the degree of anemia (using the anemia table), doctors can gain insights into whether the body's response to anemia is appropriate.

Other Lab Tests Ordered Alongside a Erythropoietin With Anemia Table Test

When an Erythropoietin test is ordered, it's typically part of a broader evaluation of hematologic and renal function. Here are some tests commonly ordered alongside it:

  1. Complete Blood Count (CBC):

    • Purpose: To evaluate overall blood health, including red and white blood cells, and platelets.
    • Why Is It Ordered: To assess for signs of anemia or other hematologic abnormalities and to evaluate the red blood cell indices which can provide clues about the type of anemia.

  2. Iron Studies:

    • Purpose: To evaluate iron status.
    • Why Is It Ordered: To assess for iron deficiency anemia, a common type of anemia that can affect erythropoietin levels.

  3. Kidney Function Test:

    • Purpose: To evaluate kidney function.
    • Why Is It Ordered: Since erythropoietin is produced in the kidneys, renal impairment can lead to decreased EPO production and anemia.

  4. Vitamin B12 and Folate Levels:

    • Purpose: To measure levels of these essential vitamins.
    • Why Is It Ordered: Deficiencies in vitamin B12 and folate can cause anemia, which can affect erythropoietin levels.

  5. Reticulocyte Count:

    • Purpose: To measure the number of young red blood cells in the blood.
    • Why Is It Ordered: To evaluate bone marrow response to anemia; an increased count may indicate that the bone marrow is responding appropriately to erythropoietin stimulation.

  6. Hemoglobin Electrophoresis:

    • Purpose: To identify different types of hemoglobin.
    • Why Is It Ordered: To diagnose disorders such as thalassemia or sickle cell anemia, which can impact erythropoietin levels.

These tests, when ordered alongside an Erythropoietin test, provide a comprehensive assessment of the causes of anemia and the body’s response to it. They are crucial for diagnosing and managing various forms of anemia and for identifying potential underlying renal issues or bone marrow disorders. The specific combination of tests will depend on the individual’s symptoms, clinical findings, and medical history.

Conditions or Diseases Requiring a Erythropoietin With Anemia Table Test

Several conditions or diseases may warrant an EPO test:

  1. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): As the kidneys are primary producers of EPO, decreased EPO production due to kidney disease can lead to anemia.
  2. Polycythemia Vera: A condition in which the bone marrow produces too many red blood cells. It may be associated with low EPO levels.
  3. Secondary Polycythemia: Increased red blood cell production due to high EPO levels, often because of chronic low oxygen levels or rarely, EPO-producing tumors.
  4. Bone Marrow Disorders: Conditions affecting the bone marrow's ability to produce red blood cells despite adequate EPO levels.

How Health Care Providers Use the Results of a Erythropoietin With Anemia Table Test

  1. Differential Diagnosis: Differentiating between anemias caused by renal diseases and those due to other causes.
  2. Assessment of Kidney Function: Low EPO in the setting of anemia may indicate kidney dysfunction.
  3. Therapeutic Decision Making: If EPO levels are inappropriately low for the degree of anemia, a patient may be considered for erythropoiesis-stimulating agents.
  4. Monitoring: Tracking the effectiveness of treatments or the progression of diseases like CKD.

Erythropoietin testing, especially in conjunction with an anemia table, provides a valuable tool for clinicians in understanding the cause of anemia and guiding subsequent treatments.

Most Common Questions About the Erythropoietin With Anemia Table test:

Purpose and Clinical Indications

What is the primary purpose of the Erythropoietin With Anemia Table test?

The Erythropoietin With Anemia Table test primarily aims to measure the amount of erythropoietin (EPO) in the blood. Erythropoietin is a hormone produced primarily by the kidneys, which stimulates the bone marrow to produce red blood cells. This test is often used to help determine the cause of anemia, especially when the cause might be related to the body's erythropoietin response.

How does the Erythropoietin With Anemia Table test aid in the diagnosis of different types of anemia?

The Erythropoietin With Anemia Table test helps differentiate between various causes of anemia. If erythropoietin levels are inappropriately low for the degree of anemia present, it suggests that the kidneys are not producing enough EPO, which can be seen in conditions like chronic kidney disease. If EPO levels are appropriately high, it suggests that the body is responding to the anemia, but there might be other reasons the bone marrow isn't producing enough red blood cells, such as iron deficiency or certain bone marrow disorders.

Interpretation of Results

What do elevated levels in the Erythropoietin With Anemia Table test indicate?

Elevated levels of erythropoietin in the Erythropoietin With Anemia Table test can indicate that the body is trying to produce more red blood cells, often in response to anemia. This is a typical response when the body senses low oxygen levels. However, excessively high EPO levels can also be seen in certain conditions like polycythemia vera, tumors, or, in rare cases, due to EPO-producing tumors.

What do decreased levels in the Erythropoietin With Anemia Table test suggest?

Decreased levels of erythropoietin in the test suggest that the body is not producing enough EPO in response to anemia. This is commonly seen in conditions where the kidneys, the primary producers of EPO, are not functioning well, such as in chronic kidney disease. It can also indicate an issue with the production of EPO at a hormonal level.

Clinical Implications

How can the Erythropoietin With Anemia Table test impact treatment decisions for anemia?

The results from the Erythropoietin With Anemia Table test can guide treatment decisions for anemia. For example, if a patient has low EPO levels and chronic kidney disease, they might benefit from synthetic erythropoietin treatments to boost red blood cell production. Conversely, if a patient has high EPO levels but is still anemic, treatment might focus on addressing the underlying cause of the ineffective erythropoiesis, such as providing iron supplements in the case of iron-deficiency anemia.

Can the Erythropoietin With Anemia Table test be used to monitor the effectiveness of anemia treatments?

Yes, the Erythropoietin With Anemia Table test can be used to monitor the effectiveness of treatments for anemia. If a patient is on synthetic EPO for chronic kidney disease, for instance, periodic testing can assess how effectively the treatment is stimulating red blood cell production. A rise in EPO levels in response to treatment, accompanied by an improvement in hemoglobin levels, would generally indicate a favorable response to therapy.

Relationships with Other Health Conditions

How do Erythropoietin With Anemia Table test levels change with kidney diseases?

Kidney diseases can significantly influence the results of the Erythropoietin With Anemia Table test since the kidneys are the primary producers of EPO. In conditions like chronic kidney disease, the kidneys often don't produce enough EPO, leading to decreased EPO levels in the blood, even when there's a need for more red blood cells.

Are there any non-anemic conditions that can influence Erythropoietin With Anemia Table test levels?

Yes, apart from anemic conditions, there are situations that can influence Erythropoietin With Anemia Table test levels. For instance, conditions that result in decreased oxygen levels in the blood, like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or certain heart conditions, can stimulate the production of EPO, leading to elevated EPO levels. Conversely, some tumors can produce EPO, causing elevated levels independent of anemia.

We advise having your results reviewed by a licensed medical healthcare professional for proper interpretation of your results.

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