What is an EPO? An EPO, or Exclusive Provider Organization, is a type of health plan that offers a local network of doctors and hospitals for you to choose from. An EPO is usually more pocket-friendly than a PPO plan.

What does EPO stand for blood?

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a hormone produced primarily by the kidneys, with small amounts made by the liver. EPO plays a key role in the production of red blood cells (RBCs), which carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. This test measures the amount of erythropoietin in the blood.

What does EPO mean in nursing?

Erythropoiesis stimulating medication is also called EPO medication. EPO medication helps treat anemia by helping your body make more red blood cells. This should improve your energy level and make you feel better.

What causes high erythropoietin levels?

Excess erythropoietin results from chronic exposure to low oxygen levels or from rare tumours that produce high levels of erythropoietin. It causes a condition known as polycythaemia which means high red blood cell count. In many people, polycythaemia does not cause any symptoms.

What is erythropoietin used for?

Erythropoietin (EPO) is produced by the kidney and used to make red blood cells. Erythropoetin-stimulating agents are used often for people with long-term kidney disease and anemia.

What are EPO injections?

Epoetin injection is a man-made version of human erythropoietin (EPO). EPO is produced naturally in the body, mostly by the kidneys. It stimulates the bone marrow to produce red blood cells. If the body does not produce enough EPO, severe anemia can occur.

What are normal EPO levels?

The normal range for EPO levels can vary from 4 to 26 milliunits per liter (mU/mL). Higher-than-normal levels may mean you have anemia. In severe cases of anemia, EPO levels in the blood may be a thousand times higher than normal. Unusually low levels may be because of polycythemia vera.

What does ESA mean in medical terms?

Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA) are medications which stimulate the bone marrow to make red blood cells. They are used to treat anemia due to end stage kidney disease, chemotherapy, major surgery, or certain treatments in HIV/AIDS. In these situations they decrease the need for blood transfusions.

Does EPO increase blood pressure?

Chronic administration of erythropoietin (EPO) is associated with an increase in arterial blood pressure in patients and animals with chronic renal failure (CRF). Several mechanisms have been considered in the pathogenesis of EPO-induced hypertension.

What is low EPO level?

A low erythropoietin (EPO) level is a minor diagnostic criterion for polycythemia vera (PV). Controversies exist regarding the diagnostic value of a low EPO level when considering increasing availability of advanced molecular testing.

What kind of tumors release erythropoietin?

Malignant and benign tumors that secrete EPO have been observed in patients with renal carcinomas, cerebellar hemangioblastomas, adrenal carcinomas, adrenal adenomas, hepatomas, and uterine leiomyomas.

What does EPO do to the body?

EPO is released from the kidneys and acts on the bone marrow to stimulate red blood cell production. An increase in red blood cells improves the amount of oxygen that the blood can carry to the body’s muscles. It may also increase the body’s capacity to buffer lactic acid.

What are the side effects of erythropoietin?

Common side effects

• Allergic reaction. Rarely, some people have an allergic reaction to erythropoietin.
• Feeling sick or being sick. You may feel sick during treatment with erythropoietin.
• Diarrhoea.
• Blood clot risk.
• Headaches.
• High blood pressure.
• Muscle, joint or bone pain.
• Flu-like symptoms.

Is EPO safe?

EPO is generally considered safe for most people to use short term. The safety of long-term use hasn’t been determined. Keep in mind supplements aren’t monitored for quality by the Food and Drug Administration. When choosing EPO, research the supplement as well as the company selling the product.

Does erythropoietin increase creatinine?

The results showed that EPO supplementation leads to a significant decrease in serum urea, urinary protein and creatinine clearance as well as a significant increase in renal HIF-1α in group III and IV rats compared to the diabetic control group (group II).

Why is EPO banned?

The drug erythropoietin, often called EPO, is banned from sports because it is believed to enhance an athlete’s performance and give people who use it an unfair advantage over unenhanced competitors. EPO thickens a person’s blood, which can lead to an increased risk of clots.