Ordering Recommendation

Initial screening test for evaluation of polycythemia. Determine eligibility for erythropoietin therapy in anemia due to chronic renal failure.

New York DOH Approval Status

This test is New York state approved.

Specimen Required

Patient Preparation
Collect

Serum separator tube or plasma separator tube.

Specimen Preparation

Allow serum to clot completely at room temperature. Separate serum or plasma from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection. Transfer 1 mL serum or plasma to an ARUP Standard Transport Tube. (Min: 0.5 mL)

Storage/Transport Temperature

Refrigerated.

Unacceptable Conditions

Bone marrow aspirate. EDTA plasma. Hemolyzed specimens.

Remarks
Stability

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

Methodology

Quantitative Chemiluminescent Immunoassay

Performed

Sun-Sat

Reported

Within 24 hours

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)

Interpretive Data



Compliance Category

FDA

Note

Hotline History

N/A

CPT Codes

82668

Components

Component Test Code* Component Chart Name LOINC
0050227 Erythropoietin 15061-5
* Component test codes cannot be used to order tests. The information provided here is not sufficient for interface builds; for a complete test mix, please click the sidebar link to access the Interface Map.

Aliases

  • EPO
  • EPO (Erythropoietin)
  • Epogen
  • Hematopoietin
  • Hemopoietin
Erythropoietin