We studied hospitalised patients admitted because of acute ulcer bleeding or haemorrhagic gastritis, who had a haematocrit of 27-33% and did not receive blood transfusions. One day after the endoscopic confirmation of cessation of bleeding, they were randomised either to erythropoietin (20 000 IU Epoetin alfa subcutaneously, on days 0, 4 and 6) plus iron (100 mg im, on days 1- 6, (G(1)) or iron only (G(2)). Haematocrit was measured on days 0, 6, 14, 30, 45, and 60, respectively.