Erythropoietin (EPO)

Message

For Specimen Integrity during Extreme Weather see the “Lockbox Usage in Extreme Weather” document at the top of this page.

Test Code

ERYTH

Alias/See Also

427

CPT Codes
82668

Preferred Specimen

1 mL serum

Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Instructions

Due to diurnal variation, it is recommended that specimens be collected between 7:30 a.m. and noon.

Transport Container

Plastic screw-cap vial

Transport Temperature

Room temperature

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 10 days
Refrigerated: 18 days
Frozen: 28 days

Methodology
Immunoassay (IA)

Setup Schedule

Set up: Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat; Report available: 2-4 days

Reference Range

	Male (mIU/mL)	Female (mIU/mL)
<1 Year	Not established	Not established
1-3 Years	1.7-17.9	2.1-15.9
4-6 Years	3.5-21.9	2.9-8.5
7-9 Years	1.0-13.5	2.1-8.2
10-12 Years	1.0-14.0	1.1-9.1
13-15 Years	2.2-14.4	3.8-20.5
16-18 Years	1.5-15.2	2.0-14.2
>18 Years	2.6-18.5	2.6-18.5

Clinical Significance

Elevated levels of serum erythropoietin (EPO) occur in patients with anemias due to increased red cell destruction in hemolytic anemia and also in secondary polycythemias associated with impaired oxygen delivery to the tissues, impaired pulmonary oxygen exchange, abnormal hemoglobins with increased oxygen affinity, constriction of the renal vasculature, and inappropriate EPO secretion caused by certain renal and extrarenal tumors. Normal or depressed levels may occur in anemias due to increased oxygen delivery to tissues, in hypophosphatemia, and in polycythemia vera.

Performing Laboratory
Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute
14225 Newbrook Drive
Chantilly, VA 20153

Last Updated: May 28, 2024

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.