What is the main reason for the growth of erythropoietin?

If you don’t have enough healthy red blood cells, your doctor may ask you to take a red blood cell growth factor . It causes your bone marrow to make more red blood cells. Your kidneys make a red blood cell growth factor called EPO, or erythropoietin.

What will happen if a patient is injected with erythropoietin?

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 EPO injections 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.

Is taking erythropoietin safe?

It is well known that EPO, by thickening the blood, leads to an increased risk of several deadly diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, and cerebral or pulmonary embolism. The misuse of recombinant human EPO may also lead to autoimmune diseases with serious health consequences.

What does erythropoietin do to your body?

Erythropoietin, also known as EPO, is a hormone that the kidneys produce to stimulate production and maintenance of crucial red blood cells. The hormone does this in two ways: First, it stimulates bone marrow cells to produce red blood cells.

Where can I get an injection of erythropoietin?

epoetin alfa (for example Eprex ® ), epoetin beta (for example, NeoRecormon ® ), and epoetin zeta (for example, Retacrit ®) People often call these treatments EPO. You have erythropoietin as an injection under the skin (subcutaneously). It is usually given into the thigh or tummy. A nurse can show you, or a family member or carer, how to do this.

How are Erythropoietin Stimulating agents used in kidney disease?

Erythropoetin-stimulating agents are used often for people with long-term kidney disease and anemia. What is erythropoietin? Red blood cells are produced in the bone marrow (the spongy tissue inside the bone). In order to make red blood cells, the body maintains an adequate supply of erythropoietin (EPO), a hormone that is produced by the kidney.

When to stop erythropoietin injections for anaemia?

Your doctor may adjust the dose of erythropoietin, depending on these results. If blood tests show no increase in red cells or haemoglobin level after 2 treatment cycles, you usually stop treatment. If blood tests show the treatment is working, you usually continue having injections until 1 month after you finish your course of chemotherapy.