Need some advice on managing hematocrit, hemoglobin and test levels.

[Jake14]

I recently switched from gel to test cyprionte, 60 MG every three days. I also take HCG 300 IU every two days. Below are my recent lab results:

Hemoglobin 17.6 G/DL range: 13.0 - 17.0
Hematocrit 49.6 % range 37.0 - 49.0
Testosterone 1211 NG/DL range 291 -867
SHBG 10 NMOL/L range 16 - 94
Free Test 44.2 NG/DL range 4.8 -25.0
Estradiol 66 PG/ML range </=63
Age 51

Commnets:
My SHBG is always around 10
Estradiol is not an issue as I stopped taking Arimidex to get a baseline level on cypriote. I have started taking Arimidex again. When I take Arimidex I am able to control estradiol well.

Questions:

How concerned should I be about my Hemoglogin and Hematocrit levels? I know I am just over the high end of the range so I am not overly concered. Other than giving blood or lowering test levels are others ways to reduce these levels?

I am considering dropping my test levels but I am trying to put on muscle, which I am being successful at and I want to continue. (I know I need to watch my diet and I am. But interestingly, I have found I do not build muscle less I drink milk, so I am now drinking a lot of milk). Given how high my free test level is, do you think if I lower my total test to say around 900 and free test to 35 that would negatively effect my ability to build muscle? Or given my level of free test, whether free test level is 35 or 44 the effect being able to building muscle will be about the same?

All in all I am feeling pretty good. However, I am also getting a fair amount of acne on my back so I have started using Dawn and Nizoral 2%. A lower test level may also reduce my acne.

Thanks for your help!

Jake14

[kelkel]

Hi Jake. You seem to have a pretty good handle on things. Long term high blood levels are obviously not good as you know. Start drinking much more water and take a baby aspirin nightly. Continue to give blood also. Jealous of your shbg level compared to mine. Not really sure you'd feel or notice that minor of a drop in t levels but you'll have to try it and see how you feel and if it helps with your acne. Use caution with your Adex. Less is more here and if you can get by without it, more power to you. I also do 60mg twice a week and do not have to use an AI. If you can achieve that then you are fortunate.

Read this: http://www.medicinenet.com/polycythe...ount/page8.htm

Welcome to the forum!

[GFA]

Your blood sounds almost identical to mine. I see a hematologist now and he wants my hematocrit down to 45. I already donated once and my hema dropped from 51 to 49. I plan on doing another donation, double this time early June. If my level doesn't go down enough the doc is going to prescribe theraputic phlebotomy. Hopefully I wont have to do that.

[bass]

i agree with the above except for shbg, its too low.

[ecdysone]

i agree with the above except for shbg, its too low.

I agree, it is way too low, to the point where test/E2 are totally unbuffered. Your test is also too high.

[kelkel]

I concur. You guys are dead right on that one. I'm the opposite with a higher shbg. Should have re-read my own literature I have favorited.

http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2011/...-Status_01.htm

Ecd/Bass thanks for pointing that out!

[GetItHot]

Interesting reading. My hemoglobin and hematocrit are high also. I'm going to give blood later this month.

[bass]

i know we discussed this before, we know how to lower SHBG, but did anyone found out how to raise it?

[Jake14]

Thanks for all of the replies. I really appreciate it. I agree that my test is too high. This was my first blood work on test cyprionate, it was hard to predict where I would end up. I have already started lowering my test. Kelkel, thanks for the link on SHBG, that was a good read. Fortunatly, I do not have the insulin or cardio problems associated with low SHBG, I would have but I take Crestor to manage many of the associated syptoms. In regard to increasing SHBG, on the web I found that some recommend soy milk and taking Beta-sitosterol. I already take Beta-sitosterol to lower DHT. High test will also lower SHBG, however my SHBG was 10 when my test was sub 200. A couple of quick questions:

1) Anybody have other recommendations to increase SHGB?

2) At what level do you start think about controlling estradiol even if your asymptomatic? (Meaning your could be developing symptons but not yet aware of them). My doctor does not start thinking of controlling estradiol until 50. Just curious what you all think.

I donated blood today. My blood bank will take blood as long as your Hematocrit is 60 or less. I also started low dose asprin today.

Thanks for your help.

Jake14