Method for increasing the hematocrit of a normal mammal

摘要

A method for increasing the hematocrit of a normal mammal using erythropoietin (EPO) is provided. The method comprises the steps of administering to the mammal a hematocrit increasing effective amount of EPO, in a pharmaceutically acceptable form. Additionally administered is an effective amount of iron, in a pharmaceutically acceptable form, sufficient to increase the serum iron content of the mammal to an erythropoiesis supportable level. The method is useful for increasing the amount of blood that can be donated for transfusion purposes, in particular autologous transfusion.