Serum and Urinary Levels of Erythropoietin in Iron Deficiency Anemia.

Abstract

Study of the erythropoietin activity in unconcentrated serum and urine of 55 children with iron deficiency anemia revealed increased activity in both at hemoglobin levels up to 10 g/100 ml. The erythropoietin activity was directly related to the severity of anemia. There was direct correspondence between serum and urine erythropoietin activity of all degrees of anemia studied, and serum showed greater activity than urine obtained at the same time. It would appear that patients with moderate to severe iron deficiency anemia may provide an important source of human erythropoietin for use in research.