Erythropoietin Unit Converter

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a glycoprotein hormone that regulates red blood cell production. When your blood oxygen level drops, EPO signals stem cells in the bone marrow to produce more red blood cells.

A healthy adult produces roughly 200 billion red blood cells each day, and EPO is the primary hormone driving that process. Measuring EPO levels helps determine whether the body is producing the right amount in response to its oxygen needs.

EPO levels are commonly measured to help distinguish between different types of anemia and polycythemia (excess red blood cells), as the hormone responds differently depending on the underlying cause.

EPO is produced mainly by specialized fibroblast-like cells in the kidney cortex. The liver contributes a smaller amount, and trace production occurs in the spleen, bone marrow, lungs, and brain.