
Originally Posted by
GearHeaded
hematocrit of 50 is totally fine IMO , as long as your blood platelets count is NOT high along with it.. if blood platelet is normal and hematocrit is high then your fine.
heck pro cyclists get their hematocrit purposely up to 60 because their cardio capacity increases the higher the hematocrit levels go.
the whole "blood thickening" thing and that destroying your cardio has to do with the combination of high platelets along side high hematocrit and not simply high hematocrit alone .
of course their are other factors that play a role ike hydration, water retention, etc..
my hemo is generally 50-54 , has been ever since I started doing blood work 8 years ago. but I lived at 9300 feet elevation in the rocky mountains most my life (elevation plays a role)
doctors seeing my blood work were never concerned with that level of hematocrit. never told me to donate blood or worry about it,,because my platelet count was normal.