Patient Preparation:  No fasting required.

Patients suffering from most anemias will present with higher than normal concentrations of serum erythropoietin; whereas, those suffering from anemia associated with chronic renal failure may have values within the normal range. Abnormally high concentrations may also be induced by renal neoplasms, benign tumors, polycystic kidney disease, renal cysts, and hydronephrosis. May also be used in patients with HIV who are receiving AZT. HIV infected patients with serum erythropoietin levels ≤500 mIU/mL may have their anemia corrected with exogenous erythropoietin administration; whereas, patients >500 mIU/mL are unlikely to respond to therapy.