How is the erythropoietin test performed?
The patient is usually asked to fast for 8-10 hours (overnight) and sometimes to lie quietly and relax for 20 or 30 minutes before the test. The test requires a routine sample of blood, which is sent to the laboratory for analysis. What are normal erythropoietin levels? Normal levels of erythropoietin range from 4 up to 24 mU/ml (milliunits per milliliter). What does an abnormal erythropoietin level indicate? Lower than normal values of erythropoietin are seen, for example, in anemia due to chronic (longstanding) kidney failure. Elevated erythropoietin levels can be seen, for example, in polycythemia rubra vera, a disorder characterized by an excess of red blood cells. The correct interpretation of an abnormal erythropoietin level depends on the particular clinical situation. Can a person without a medical disease or condition have a high erythropoietin level? Yes. For example, erythropoietin has been misused as a performance-enhancing drug in athletes such as cyclists (in the Tour de
