Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Measurement of Tissue Oxygenation Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis
Published on: October 2, 2020
Relationship between serum erythropoietin levels and rT3, T4 concentrations in elderly patients with non-thyroidal
1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, l-98124, Messina, Italy.
Abstract:
Thyroid function, plasma erythropoietin and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) concentrations were measured in 28 elderly patients with chronic non-thyroidal illnesses (NTI) and in 8 healthy subjects as a control group. In the NTI group, the existence of an impairment of thyroid function has been demonstrated in about 85% of the subjects, with a lower T(3) concentration; a low T(3) syndrome with low T(3) levels and high reverse-T(3) (rT(3)) plasma concentrations could be found in 25% of the subjects. A direct correlation between erythropoietin and rT(3) and an inverse correlation between erythropoietin and T(4) were found on NTI patients with endocrine abnormalities.
Related Concept Videos
Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Excretion
Drug Dosing in Renal Diseases: Estimation of Glomerular Filtration Rate Based on Serum Creatinine Concentration
Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Distribution
Serum Studies: Renal Function Tests
Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients
Factors Affecting Erythropoiesis
Several factors influence the erythrocyte production rate, with tissue oxygen level being among the most critical. Intense exercise or high altitudes can cause tissue hypoxia, which triggers the kidneys to release more erythropoietin (EPO) into the bloodstream.
EPO then...