Have you ever wondered how many amazing things are happening inside our bodies? Sometimes, without us realizing it, small things play a big role in keeping our bodies alive. One such special thing is ' Erythropoietin '. You may not have heard of this name, but it is something that is essential for our bodies. Let's see what it is and what it does?
So, what is this erythropoietin?
Simply put, erythropoietin is a hormone produced primarily by our kidneys . It is sometimes abbreviated as EPO. The main function of EPO is to help maintain healthy levels of red blood cells, or erythrocytes, in our bodies. Specifically, it signals our bone marrow to make the amount of red blood cells our bodies need.
There is something special about this. Sometimes doctors use synthetic erythropoietin, or ``synthetic erythropoietin''. Especially, to treat anemia caused by chronic kidney disease. However, some athletes use it incorrectly to improve their performance. Because this ``(EPO)'' increases the amount of oxygen that gets to their muscles. That is not a good thing.
This erythropoietin is also called `(erythropoietin)`, `(he MAT opietin)` and `(hemopoietin)`. However, the name erythropoietin is most commonly used.
What actually happens with erythropoietin (EPO)?
Okay, now let's see what this `(EPO)` actually does in our body. I said before, `(EPO)` helps make red blood cells . So, these red blood cells are the ones that carry oxygen to all the tissues in our body. Just think, every part of our body needs oxygen to live. That oxygen is used to produce energy. Then, these same red blood cells bring the carbon dioxide that comes out of those tissues back to the lungs. That's when we can exhale it.
This is what usually happens: When special cells in our kidneys sense that the oxygen level in our blood is low, they quickly increase their production of `(EPO).` This `(EPO)` then goes to the sponge-like part inside our bones, the `(bone marrow),` and tells it to ` make more red blood cells.`
However, if the cells in the kidneys sense that there is enough oxygen in the blood, they reduce the production of `(EPO)`. This is like a `(demand and supply)` thing. The amount of `(EPO)` produced is determined by the need.
However, there are some diseases that can affect the amount of `(EPO)` that our kidneys produce. Then either `(EPO)` can be produced in excess, or it can not be produced in sufficient quantity. This can cause the level of red blood cells to decrease or increase.
What happens if erythropoietin (EPO) levels increase?
If the level of `(EPO)` increases unnecessarily, that is, in a way that is not suitable for our body, the number of red blood cells in our body can also increase unnecessarily. This increase in red blood cell levels is called `polycythemia` . That is also not a good condition.
Why do these EPO levels increase for no reason?
Okay, so let's see why this `( EPO )` level sometimes gets too high.
- Prolonged exposure to low oxygen levels: If you are a smoker for a long time or live in a high-altitude environment with low oxygen levels, your EPO levels may increase. However, it is normal for EPO levels to increase when living at high altitudes, as this is an increase that the body needs.
- Anemia not caused by kidney disease: Sometimes anemia can occur without kidney disease. Anemia is when you don't have enough red blood cells in your body, or when the red blood cells you have aren't working properly. When this happens, your kidneys sense that there are not enough red blood cells in your body. They release more EPO. This is usually due to an increase in EPO levels, which is what the body needs.
- Some types of cancer (Tumors): Although very rare, some types of cancer can cause the kidneys to release too much EPO. This is a condition that must be treated.
So, what happens if erythropoietin (EPO) levels decrease?
Now let's talk about what happens if EPO levels decrease.
- Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): This is the main and most common cause of low EPO levels. When the kidneys are damaged, they are unable to properly produce EPO. This causes low EPO levels. This is called CKD, and low EPO levels can lead to anemia.
- Polycythemia Vera: This is also a cause of low EPO levels. Polycythemia Vera is a type of blood cancer caused by a genetic mutation. What happens in this is that our bone marrow makes too many red blood cells. Then the kidneys sense that there are too many red blood cells in the body, so they reduce the production of EPO. That is why EPO levels decrease.
If EPO levels are low, how is it treated?
If your EPO level is low, the first thing to do is to find the underlying cause . Treating that cause is the most important thing.
However, the main treatment for anemia caused by low EPO levels is recombinant erythropoietin . These are also called erythropoietin-stimulating agents (ESAs). These are the synthetic EPO that I mentioned earlier. Doctors clone the gene for EPO and give it to you as an injection. It then stimulates the production of more red blood cells.
Doctors use these ESAs, especially to treat anemia caused by chronic kidney failure. They are also given to people with some rare types of cancer.
However, these `(ESAs)` can cause some side effects. What are they:
- High blood pressure.
- Fever.
- Dizziness.
- Nausea.
- Pain at the injection site.
How do doctors measure these EPO levels?
Your doctor can measure your EPO levels with a blood test . This blood test can help determine if there are any changes in your blood cells that are affecting their ability to release EPO. This can include things like polycythemia, anemia, or other bone marrow conditions.
They will clean the skin around a vein in your arm with iodine, isopropyl alcohol, or another skin cleanser. Then, using a thin needle (a 21 gauge needle, slightly smaller than the tip of a regular earring), they will take a small amount of blood from a vein in your arm. The blood sample will then be sent to a lab for analysis.
Once the lab has finished testing your blood sample, the doctor will call you to discuss the test results and answer any questions you may have.
Remember, even if your EPO levels are within the normal range, you may still need further treatment. This will be determined by your doctor.
What are these normal EPO levels?
Doctors measure EPO in milliunits per milliliter (mU/mL) of your blood. A healthy person's EPO level can range from 4 to 26 mU/mL .
However, your EPO test results may vary depending on a number of factors. For example:
- Your age is `(Age)`.
- Your biological sex.
- Your overall health.
Therefore, it is your doctor who will accurately assess your results and tell you whether your levels are healthy or outside the normal range.
Is it possible to increase erythropoietin (EPO) levels naturally?
If you have chronic kidney disease (CKD) or some form of anemia that is accompanied by low EPO levels, you can help increase your EPO levels by making some of the following dietary and lifestyle changes :
- Exercise: Research shows that when you do regular, vigorous exercise, your body uses more oxygen. Your brain then tells your body to make more EPO. Good examples of this type of exercise include cycling, brisk walking, jogging, and swimming.
- Dietary iron: Iron is a key component of hemoglobin, which helps carry oxygen to the cells in our bodies. Foods rich in iron include red meat, egg yolks, liver, tofu, and iron-fortified foods – for example, some cereals, bread, and pasta.
Finally, things to remember
Erythropoietin is a very important and essential hormone that tells our bone marrow to ' make more red blood cells '. However, sometimes our bodies make too many red blood cells, or too few. This can cause health problems.
Your doctor can do a blood test to see how much `(EPO)` is in your blood, and then recommend the most appropriate treatment for you. Therefore, if you have symptoms like anemia, or if you have kidney problems, be sure to seek medical advice. Do not self-medicate. The most important thing is to take care of your health first. If you have any questions, do not be afraid to ask your doctor.
` Erythropoietin, EPO, kidney, red blood cells, anemia, hormones, anemia, bone marrow, polycythemia
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