We report a case of a 25-year-old, female Jehovah'S Witness (JW) with severe anemia secondary to emergent salpingectomy who was treated with high dose human recombinant erythropoietin (rHu-EPO). Post-operative laboratory values were significant for a Hgb of 3.4 g/dl and a Hct 9.6%. The patient received rHu-EPO 150 u/kg IV q 12 hrs x 10 days, iron dextran, folic acid, cyanocobalamin, and fluid replacement. The patients Hgb and Hct were 6.0 g/dl and 18.9% upon discharge, increased from a nadir of 2.4 g/dl and 6.7%, respectively. The immediate administration of high dose rHu-EPO to severely anemic JW patients may decrease the period of severe anemia by accelerating erythropoiesis.
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