Erythropoietin, Iron Depletion, and Relative Thrombocytosis: A Possible Explanation for Hemoglobin-Survival Paradox in Hemodialysis

Iron depletion and associated relative thrombocytosis might contribute to increased mortality when administering high rHuEPO doses to achieve hemoglobin levels of 13 g/dL or greater in long-term hemodialysis patients. Randomized trials are needed to test these observational associations.