Specimen Requirements

Title

Erythropoietin (EPO)

Specimen Requirement

It is recommended that samples be collected at a consistent time of day.

Collect SST/0.5 mL, allow to clot for 30 minutes, promptly centrifuge and send.

Methodology

Immunochemiluminometric assay (ICMA)

Stability

Room temp: 14 days, Refrigerated: 14 days, Frozen: 14 days

Reference Range

The reference range is determined by the performing laboratory and will show on the report.

Turnaround

1-3 days

Clinical Use

Patients suffering from most anemias will present with higher than normal concentrations of serum erythropoietin; whereas, those suffering from anemia associated with chronic renal failure may have values within the normal range. Abnormally high concentrations may also be induced by renal neoplasms, benign tumors, polycystic kidney disease, renal cysts, and hydronephrosis.

Test Code

EPOW