GDF15 and myelodysplastic syndrome: In hematopoietic diseases, serum GDF15 levels are remarkably elevated in patients with dyserythropoietic disorders such as β-thalassemia, congenital dyserythropoietic anemia type I, and refractory anemia with ring sideroblasts, a subtype of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) 14–17.