– 6 x 4000iu PFS
One of the most widespread forms of bloodstream doping, which is particularly prevalent among endurance athletes, is the exogenous EPO (artificially elevated Erythropoietin level).
Erythropoietin is a human glycoprotein hormone that is formed in the adrenal gland and controls the activity of erythrocytes or also the production of red blood cells.
Blood doping and EPOMs are generally the most associated endurance sports like sprint, running, long-distance, walking, skiing, biathlon, triathlon, etc. The reason for the use of exogenous EPA is the increase in the number of red blood cells (RBCs) in the blood, thereby improving sports performance. This is because the red blood cells are responsible for the transfer of oxygen from the lungs to the working muscles. More red blood cells improve aerobic capacity (V02 max) and endurance.
EPO (Erythropoietin) - a form of blood doping
Experts predict that the EPO was maximally expanded in the 1990s, mainly because there was no way to detect the presence of exogenous EPA in the blood by the year 2000. The World Anti-Doping Agency has begun to perform EPO tests since 2000, when it was able to distinguish slight differences in the composition of exogenous EPA against the hormone produced in the human body.
EPO Dosage and Usage
Weekly dosage varies 50-300 IU per kilogram of body weight. By this guideline a 176 lb (80 kgs) athlete would take a maximum of 4000 U per injection. This would be done in the days/weeks prior to a competition, the peak effect hopefully reached near the day of the event. Sportsmen starts feeling results after two weeks of usage (hematocrit level increases 3-4%). Most of specialists agree that one should not use erythropoietin for more than six weeks!
We find it optimal to use following schedule: Loading phase 4500-12000 IU for week 1-3 (6000 IU in average), then keep supportive dosage 3000-4000 IU for weeks 4-6. Weekly dosage is to be split on three equal shots.
Also one can use this formula: 20-30 IU per kg for every shot (three shots a week). Conservative approach is 4500 IU / week (3 shots x 1500 IU) with 3000 IU supportive dosage (3 shots x 1000 IU).The higher dosage is - the more effect and more risks you gain. Anyway, it depends on the personal characteristics, base levels, target goals desired. Blood tests recommended if you`re toying with higher doses.
Take one tab of aspirin two times a day after meal or along with milk to prevent stomach damages (milk neutralizes aspirin acids). Aspirin will decrease blood viscosity thus decreasing risks of thrombosis which could be fatal during the long race due to sweating and extreme dehydration.
In general, greater dosages of rhEPO induce a quicker response of increased erythropoiesis than lower dosages, however, they are more likely to be detectable by doping tests. If athlete is not in a rush, it`s better to make three shots a week - peak form will be achieved anyway.
Injecting EPO
EPO is sold in recombinant form (rhEPO) for injection. It usually is packaged as a lyophilized (freeze dried) powder that is reconstituted with sterile water before injection. Injections preferably to be made by thin needle with insulin syringes. Erythropoietin is to be given subcutaneously (between the skin and muscle - into the body fat) or intravenously. These two paths of administration have greatly different effects on the blood level of the drug. When given as an IV injection, peak blood levels of the drug are reached very quickly. The half-life is also short, approximately 4 or 5 hours long. When administered "SubQ", the drug will take 12 to 18 hours to reach a peak level. Given an equal dose, this concentration will also be much lower than the intravenous method. The half-life also greatly extended, estimated to now be approximately 24 hours.
SubQ injections are to be made in the outer upper arms, front of thighs, or abdomen. If you are injecting in the abdomen, just be sure to not be too close to the umbilicus. If you`re doing some anticoagulant as well, you could still give EPO in the abdo, just not in the same site. EPO injections often burns because you inject it cold. If you can roll it between your hands a couple of minutes or let it get to room temperature, it is painless as an insulin injection.
Stacking EPO
Be extremely careful if you are going to use Erythropoietin (EPO) along with anabolic steroids, this can be a dangerous chem to mess with, especially with erythropoetesis-stimulating drugs like Anadrol.
Some endurance athletes may use both, EPO and winstrol during preparation for the contest, however, we have no information on the possible synergetic effects, and, most important, side effects. If anyone emails us his own winstrol + Erythropoietin (EPO) experience - this would be appreciated.
With high dosages anticoagulant therapy such as Lovenox is indicated to help reducing the risk of developing DVT, or deep vein thrombosis. For regular dosages aspirin is enough.
In practice, it is common for rhEPO injections to be accompanied with intravenous injections or oral supplementation of iron (orals are more effective). However, Iron overload may occur and lead to symptoms similar to those of genetic hemochromatosis. Folic asid and Vitamins also advisable.
Here`s possible EPO stack (weekly dosage!): 100 IU/kg of rhEPO; 25mg of iron, 25mg of folic acid; 2500mcg of Vitamin B12, lenght of treatment 10-20 days, 2-3 shots per week.
Doping control and EPO
Until recently, accurate testing has been difficult because the recombinant human EPO made in the lab is virtually identical to the naturally occurring form and there are no firmly established normal ranges for EPO in the body. The only previously available route to curtail cheating for sports governing bodies was to ban an athlete if the hematocrit level was too high (e.g., above 50%). Thus, in the past many athletes chose to cheat because, as long as they kept their hematocrit levels below 50%, there seemed little risk of getting caught. Of course, the other way to get caught was highlighted in the disastrous 1998 Tour de France. Several team doctors and personnel from several teams were caught red-handed with thousands of doses of EPO and other banned substances. Ultimately about 50% of the teams withdrew from the race – either for cheating or in protest.
Unfortunately, testing technology has now notably improved. There are now accurate urine and blood tests that can detect the differences between normal and synthetic EPO. This test became the standard one and was the sole means to detect for EPO use in the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. The reliability of this test helps explain the cascade of athletes who have been caught. Therefore, at the present, athlete must consider "window" - just like with steroid use - when chances to detect falls down, but effect is still considerable. I.e. at the moment of competition, EPO should move out of the system but red blood cells should be still in.
There are short-acting and long-acting types of EPO (we offer short-acting version). It`s better to take smaller doses on regular basis than single big injection. This reduces the possibility of detection by the urine test by lowering the percent of basic isoforms in the urine. A smaller dose means a drug tester might only have 12 hours to detect the last injection, and given the fact that drug tests aren`t usually carried out in the middle of the night, this leaves only a very small window open for being tested "positive". Taking small, regular doses also simulates the body`s natural physiology more closely than a super-sized dose, which means that it could even get under the radar for the longer term blood testing. So 2000 IU three times a week is better than 6000 IU once a week.
Detection time varies 12-48 hours according to different sources (in fact you might be in danger even longer with high dosages). Most likely it also highly depends on the dosage and cycle schedule. Fortunately, rhEPO has a short half-life and is similar in structure to endogenous EPO. These two factors make blood and urine detection difficult since electrophoretic techniques must be done within a limited time frame in order to be able to distinguish between the two forms of erythropoietin.
So, what is this test? It is possible to detect rhEPO in urine and blood serum as was done by Wide. He tested 15 healthy, moderately-trained men between the ages of 19 to 40 years old. At a fairly low dosage, 20U/kg three times a week for eight weeks, rhEPO was accurately detected in blood up to two days after the last injection; and in urine one day after the last injection. From the data, sensitivity of the test decreases to fifty percent in detecting rhEPO in blood or urine after three days from the last injection
In order to gain the physiological effects of rhEPO, athletes need to continue its use until a late stage of preparation for an event. A test for increased erythropoiesis in the two to six weeks before competition would have a high likelihood of detecting rhEPO abuse - they can catch you during preparation.
Risks and side effects with EPO
Just like with steroids - you should use it wisely. Inappropriate usage might be dangerous if not fatal, but proper one eliminates all the risks or decreases it to the affordable level. Nowadays, we gained enough experience and stats to know how to avoid the problems.
The reason that EPO, and transfusion blood doping, might be dangerous is because of increased blood viscosity. Basically, whole blood consists of red blood cells and plasma (water, proteins, etc.). The percentage of whole blood that is occupied by the red blood cells is referred to as, the hematocrit. A low hematocrit means dilute (thin) blood, and a high hematocrit mean concentrated (thick) blood. Above a certain hematocrit level whole blood can sludge and clog capillaries. If this happens in the brain it results in a stroke. In the heart, a heart attack. Unfortunately, this has happened to several elite athletes who have used EPO in 80es.
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