MRCP UK EXAMINATIONS

Detailed explanation-1: -Erythropoietin (EPO) is a hormone that is produced predominantly by specialised cells called interstitial cells in the kidney. Once it is made, it acts on red blood cells to protect them against destruction. At the same time it stimulates stem cells of the bone marrow to increase the production of red blood cells.

Detailed explanation-2: -Normally, when specialized cells in your kidneys detect low blood oxygen levels, they increase the production of EPO. EPO then tells the spongy tissue inside your bones (bone marrow) to make more red blood cells.

Detailed explanation-3: -EPO is a hormone that your kidney makes to trigger your bone marrow to make red blood cells. A normal EPO level means that your body can make healthy red blood cells. Healthy oxygen levels are linked to having enough red blood cells. For this reason, EPO levels usually rise when your body isn’t getting enough oxygen.