Hello all, new user here. Glad to find the forum. I am curious about erythropoietin usage. I figured this was the best place to post although EPO is a hormone.

Over the past 2 years I have regularly done CBC's and my hematocrit has varied from as low as 36.5% up to 39%. Never have I been at or over 40% red blood cells by volume. I take iron supplements with Vitamin C and eat 3 servings of organs (mussels, clams, oysters, liver) per week as the iron from them is more readily absorbed. My ferritin is very good. My anemia is slight and never demanded an EPO regimen previously. In addition I am now uninsured.

Does anyone have any experience using EPO to raise their hematocrit? From my research I feel like I can safely and progressively raise my RBC and avoid the associated peril by small scale dosing over greater duration. There seems to be many reputable sources for steroids but nothing I've found online seems to be reputable for EPO.

It is such a fragile molecule and degrades quickly if not refrigerated. I would guess the efficacy of anything coming from China would have to be significantly compromised. I live in Southern California so I have heard stories of people going to Mexico and seeing a doctor and filling the script there. Sounds dangerous and I wouldn't know where to begin. Any thoughts or insight is greatly appreciated. Thanks!