What is erythropoietin? Why is it important?
Erythropoietin (EPO) is a hormone that prevents anemia (low blood count) by helping you make red blood cells. Anemia causes fatigue and low energy levels. It occurs when there are not enough red blood cells to carry oxygen from the lungs to supply all the body’s needs. Why do patients with kidney disease develop anemia? Almost all the body’s EPO is made in the kidneys. Kidney disease may damage the cells that make EPO, leading to anemia. Before EPO was synthesized and made available for injection, many patients with kidney disease had to receive blood transfusions to treat anemia. Now that EPO can be made, people with kidney disease can be given this form of EPO to correct anemia. The injectable form is called recombinant human erythropoietin and is almost identical to what a normal kidney makes. How is EPO used? Who will give it to me? EPO is given by injection. It may be injected directly into a vein (intravenous) during dialysis or under the skin (subcutaneous). It may be given by a
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