What condition results from a lack of erythropoietin?

What condition results from a lack of erythropoietin?

• A. Anemia
• B. Polycythemia
• C. Leukemia
• D. Thrombocytopenia

Answer: (A)

Erythropoietin is the hormone that tells the bone marrow to make red blood cells. When its supply is reduced, red blood cell production drops, leading to a lower red cell mass and a state of anemia. This is often seen when the kidneys aren’t producing enough erythropoietin, such as in chronic kidney disease, resulting in fatigue, pallor, and reduced oxygen-carrying capacity. Polycythemia involves too many red blood cells, usually from excess erythropoietin or other causes, not a deficiency. Leukemia is a cancer of white blood cells, and thrombocytopenia is a low platelet count—neither is a direct consequence of lacking erythropoietin.

Erythropoietin is the hormone that tells the bone marrow to make red blood cells. When its supply is reduced, red blood cell production drops, leading to a lower red cell mass and a state of anemia. This is often seen when the kidneys aren’t producing enough erythropoietin, such as in chronic kidney disease, resulting in fatigue, pallor, and reduced oxygen-carrying capacity.

Polycythemia involves too many red blood cells, usually from excess erythropoietin or other causes, not a deficiency. Leukemia is a cancer of white blood cells, and thrombocytopenia is a low platelet count—neither is a direct consequence of lacking erythropoietin.