very high hematocrit

[testytim]

Started to have some weird sides.. Had some B/W done. To my shock i was off the scale. It was over 60%.So 1 month later i have had 4 blood draws appox 3 1/2 pints still to high. Heres the issue i am having. I feel like i am going hyperthyroid . I have a serious intolerance to heat and having anxiety issues. I have sweaty palms all day and i also break out in a sweat for no reason.. I think my numbers are still high but in normal range. Like around 50% or 17 on my hematocrit. Heres the stats

TSH 0.998 ON scale of 0.450-4.500 this has fluctuated as high as 1.760 to as low as today

T3 31-- 24-39

T4 9.9 4.5--12.0

What do you guys think?????

[The Deadlifting Dog]

Your thyroid is fine.

My guess is the symptoms you are having is due to your still thick blood.

[Spartans09]

This is quite serious short and definitely long-term. It is called secondary polycythemia. You will only reduce hematocrit by 3-5% per blood draw and you want to get it to about 45. I've been in your shoes and understand the process and implications quite well. Please read the link below to get started.

Testosterone: A Man's Guide: How to Manage Polycythemia Caused by Testosterone Replacement Therapy

[bass]

This is quite serious short and definitely long-term. It is called secondary polycythemia. You will only reduce hematocrit by 3-5% per blood draw and you want to get it to about 45. I've been in your shoes and understand the process and implications quite well. Please read the link below to get started.

Testosterone: A Man's Guide: How to Manage Polycythemia Caused by Testosterone Replacement Therapy

Excellent post Spart!

[xcraider37]

This is quite serious short and definitely long-term. It is called secondary polycythemia. You will only reduce hematocrit by 3-5% per blood draw and you want to get it to about 45. I've been in your shoes and understand the process and implications quite well. Please read the link below to get started.

Testosterone: A Man's Guide: How to Manage Polycythemia Caused by Testosterone Replacement Therapy

While I think 45% is a great goal, my baseline before trt wasn't even that low. I think we can stick with anything under 52% is ok. And most trt specialist think anything 55% and under is fine, I am happy if I can stay around the 50% mark as I believe most of us would be.

One thing of interest from the link provided is the Dr. Scally reference this guy has been banned from practicing medicine and runs his forum like a Nazi, banned me accusing me of being a Dr. Crisler supporter, pretty funny sh1t.

[HRTstudent]

If I'm not mistaken you don't take thyroid meds. Your thyroid does look pretty good, but that's not to say you aren't suffering hyperthyroid symptoms of course...

I would go over your history since starting trt, looking at lifestyle or diet or other changes, and try to narrow things down to what might be giving you these unwanted effects.

[testytim]

Thank you guys for reply's. No i dont take thyroid meds. I always felt i had a thyroid issue because i have anxiety i have for the last 15 years or so . When i was younger the heat would not bother me at all. I worked in some very hot weather. I worked as a crew chief on a race team that was in some very hot parts of the county never had issues.Now i cant take 80 degrees it feels like it burns right through me.. i am always looking for answers on the anxiety issues it sucks to have it.. I am a person that is very much in control and thats is one i have no control over. i have always felt something was off in my system .Thats how i ended up on TRT..Didnt fix it... Sense ive had close to 4 pints in 3 1/2 weeks removed was thinking it sent my thyroid into overdrive or messed my system up.. Always looking for answers...

Thank TIM R

[Spartans09]

My baseline was above 45% as well. During my couple of months of extensive research after being scared shytless when my labs came abnormal and they immediately sent me to the dreaded oncologist for testing for a form of leukemia (primary polycythemia) and a genetic defect. Thankfully, that was not the case. However, all my information pointed to trying to stay as close to 45% as possible. Risks go up exponentially beyond that. E.G. The jump from 47%-52% is not nearly as serious as a move from 57%-59% but is still increasing risks.
If you don't trust Dr. Scally's work, look around for other information. I believe he got in hot water for ignoring FDA guidelines and really tried to help people regardless. His life's work is TRT and is highly knowledgeable. However, I agree to look at things from several angles.

[xcraider37]

My baseline was above 45% as well. During my couple of months of extensive research after being scared shytless when my labs came abnormal and they immediately sent me to the dreaded oncologist for testing for a form of leukemia (primary polycythemia) and a genetic defect. Thankfully, that was not the case. However, all my information pointed to trying to stay as close to 45% as possible. Risks go up exponentially beyond that. E.G. The jump from 47%-52% is not nearly as serious as a move from 57%-59% but is still increasing risks.
If you don't trust Dr. Scally's work, look around for other information. I believe he got in hot water for ignoring FDA guidelines and really tried to help people regardless. His life's work is TRT and is highly knowledgeable. However, I agree to look at things from several angles.

Don't really have a problem with Dr. Scally, just don't like how he runs his forum, but yes totally agree with you on keeping hct as low as possible.

By the way go Blue!!