Epo serum levels in heterozygous beta-thalassemia.

An immunoenzymatic assay (Epo-Eia) has been used in order to evaluate the seric Epo level in beta-thalassemic heterozygous subjects. The present results lead one to conclude that serum Epo levels in thalassemic subjects are higher than in normal subjects and that the differences between thalassemic and normal females are highly significant statistically (p < 0.01). The Epo levels in thalassemic females are also higher than those in thalassemic males (0.01 < p < 0.05). Differences in Epo levels may be observed between thalassemic and normal males although they are not highly significant statistically. No correlations seem to exist between Epo and Hb values.