Referred to Berkshire & Surrey Pathology Services, Frimley Park Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Portsmouth Road, Frimley, Surrey GU16 7UJ
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Alternative names, keywords |
EPO |
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Samples required |
● Clotted blood (gold cap, 5 mL tube), bring to lab immediately.
Samples must be separated within 2 hours of collection. Due to EPO showing a diurnal variation it is recommended that samples for serial monitoring should be taken at a consistent time of day, and ideally between 7:30 am 12 noon. plus ● EDTA blood (purple cap/ black cap ring, 4 mL tube) for FBC. Please ensure FBC is requested, as Hb is needed for erythropoietin interpretation. Smaller tubes are available for paediatric samples. |
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Test indications |
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Reference range |
5.5 - 28.4 IU/L EPO results should be interpreted in conjunction with haemoglobin results. Anaemia: EPO <28.4 : inappropriately low if anaemia persists. EPO 28.4-100: appropriate if mildly anaemic but insufficient to correct severe anaemia. EPO >100: appropriate for a Hb <100 g/L, but not if anaemia persists. Polycythaemia: EPO <5.5: primary polycythaemia likely. EPO 5.5-15: cannot differentiate between primary and secondary polycythaemia. EPO >15: secondary polycythaemia likely
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Turnaround time |
Referral lab quotes turnaround time of 5 working days, however additional time must be allowed for packing, dispatch and delivery of sample, and return and processing of results. |
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Enquiries |
Biochemistry (Referrals) |