John has used Procrit in the past for his anemia. Depending on the what's been diagnosed will depend on whether or not medicare/insurance pays for it. Medicare usually will authorize it if your Hemaglobin (HGB) is less than 12. This is because there's an increase risk of stroke when you continue to use it when your HGB is above 12. This mostly applies to cancer patients.

Even though procrit is not considered an approved "treatment" for John's aplastic anemia, it has been known to help those whose "natural" levels of EPO produced by the kidneys is less than 200 in the presence of anemia. The normal EPO range is very low....I think 4 -19. John's was only 99. So even though it is considered "high" he did use procrit and it did work to get him transfusion independent. People with anemia can have EPO levels as high as 1000.

It would be a good idea for your doc to check your EPO level. This is a blood serum test. It can be part of the work-up the hematologist does. You may have to ask to have this run. If they have not checked your iron, B12, Folate, B6 and copper levels, they should do that also. Rule out the easy stuff first.

Wishing you best.....Marlene