Erythropoietin (EPO) Test

A doctor may need to check the levels of EPO if he/she notices some specific symptoms in a person. The following is a list of scenarios where the EPO test may be needed:

• If a person has abnormal RBC, haemoglobin or haematocrit values on their complete blood count results (Read more: Haemoglobin test)
• To find the underlying cause of anaemia
• As part of the diagnosis for bone marrow disorders when a person presents with a high number of RBCs in the blood (polycythaemia or erythrocytosis)
• To check EPO production in patients with chronic kidney disease

EPO is also used for performance enhancement by athletes. So this test may be ordered as a part of dope testing for sportspersons.

No special preparation is needed for EPO test. Tell your doctor if you are taking any medications or health supplements or if you have recently donated blood as they may interfere with the test results.

If you are a woman undergoing this test, please inform your doctor about any known current pregnancies.

The EPO test requires a blood sample, which will be drawn from a vein in your arm using a sterile needle. The needle may cause a pricking sensation on your skin or it may sting a bit. However, this pain usually subsides in some time. Some people tend to experience temporary bruising at the site of needle insertion. In case the bruise does not dissolve and fade away on its own, please consult your doctor.

Normal results:

The results of an EPO test are usually expressed in terms of milliunits per millilitre (mU/mL) or international units per litre (IU/L). They depend on the gender, age and health condition of the person. Thus, a range of values is considered normal for this test.

Normal values for the test may lie in the range of 2.6-18.5 mU/mL or 3.7-36 IU/L.

This range may vary among different laboratories depending on the standards and methods used.

Abnormal results:

EPO concentrations above or below the normal range of values are considered abnormal. 

Higher-than-normal values may be due to one of the following disorders:

• Bone marrow disorder (like myelodysplastic syndrome)
• Tumour-like growth on the kidney (secondary polycythaemia)

High EPO levels can also occur when a person is on high altitudes, mainly due to low oxygen availability.

Lower-than-normal values on the EPO test could be due to the following disorders:

• Polycythaemia vera (primary polycythaemia)
• Chronic kidney disease

Please discuss the results with your doctor to know what they precisely mean for you. Your doctor may start an appropriate therapy or may order more tests depending on your health reports.

Disclaimer: All results must be clinically correlated with the patient’s complaints to make a complete and accurate diagnosis. The above information is provided from a purely educational point of view and is in no way a substitute for medical advice by a qualified doctor.