Ir J Med Sci. 2026 Jul 21. doi: 10.1007/s11845-026-04564-z. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most prevalent nutritional anemia worldwide and is frequently associated with reactive thrombocytosis. The physiological response to anemia includes increased production of erythropoietin (EPO); however, its role in the development of thrombocytosis in IDA remains unclear and controversial.
AIM: To evaluate serum erythropoietin levels in patients with iron deficiency anemia associated with thrombocytosis and to assess the relationship between hemoglobin concentration, platelet count, and serum erythropoietin levels.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care center over a period of 20 months. A total of 48 newly diagnosed cases of iron deficiency anemia with thrombocytosis were included. Complete blood count, peripheral smear examination, iron profile, serum ferritin, and serum erythropoietin levels were assessed. Anemia and thrombocytosis were graded using standard WHO and Dame-Sutor criteria, respectively. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 24, employing Pearson’s correlation coefficient and Chi-square test.
RESULTS: The study population showed female predominance (77.09%). Severe anemia was observed in 52.09% of cases, and mild thrombocytosis was the most common finding (91.6%). Elevated serum erythropoietin levels were noted in 83.3% of patients. However, no statistically significant correlation was found between hemoglobin concentration and serum erythropoietin levels (r = 0.01; p = 0.35) or between platelet count and serum erythropoietin levels (r = -0.06; p = 0.37).
CONCLUSION: Although serum erythropoietin levels were elevated in the majority of patients with iron deficiency anemia and thrombocytosis, no significant association was observed between erythropoietin levels and platelet count. This suggests that erythropoietin alone does not play a decisive role in the development of thrombocytosis in iron deficiency anemia.
PMID:42479404 | DOI:10.1007/s11845-026-04564-z
