Red Blood cell question

**bethdoth** · 04-18-2013, 01:11 PM

Here is a graph from my last 3 labs. I have had exposure to Hepatitis B when I was in the Navy so they won't take my blood for donation. At what point should I seriously start looking for someplace to get rid of some blood? How much blood? what type of places would typically do this for me?
Thanks in advance.

**strunes** · 04-18-2013, 03:10 PM

You can have a therapudic draw done at any hospital or blood bank for a small charge. You might need a RX from your Dr first though.

**HRTstudent** · 04-18-2013, 03:57 PM

What is your hematocrit?

As mentioned above, you can get a therapeutic phlebotomy. But really, my suggestion would be to lower the T dose if you can.

**bethdoth** · 04-18-2013, 04:58 PM

Here is the whole lab. I am assuming that HCT is the hematocrit?

**austinite** · 04-18-2013, 05:20 PM

Originally Posted by rhoag

Here is the whole lab. I am assuming that HCT is the hematocrit?

I don't see a need for you to donate right now. Its creeping up there but nothing dangerous right
now. Are you planning on cycling soon?

**HRTstudent** · 04-18-2013, 05:41 PM

Originally Posted by rhoag

Here is the whole lab. I am assuming that HCT is the hematocrit?

If your doctor is okay with it, then I wouldn't lose sleep personally. A hematocrit of 48.5 is not too bad and well within normal. I would certainly monitor it though. Let your doctor know you are concerned though and he can talk to you about the risk factors etc.

FYI, this number usually stops increasing after your body adjusts to the new, higher level of androgens in your body. Assuming you are taking a reasonable, therapeutic dose and not going supraphysiological then it is not crazy to think your number will stop increasing over time.

**bethdoth** · 04-18-2013, 07:23 PM

I have no plan to cycle. I am waiting for more lab results to see what my Test is at. Once i find out what my test is at I plan to adjust accordingly to try and dial in at approx 800 total test.
Currently take 60mg test every 3.5 days.

**HRTstudent** · 04-18-2013, 08:05 PM

Originally Posted by rhoag

I have no plan to cycle. I am waiting for more lab results to see what my Test is at. Once i find out what my test is at I plan to adjust accordingly to try and dial in at approx 800 total test.
Currently take 60mg test every 3.5 days.

Good luck. Also keep in mind, if you aren't opposed, you could even inject 3 times a week. If it means you didn't have to donate blood (and thus lose iron as well) then to me it would be worth it. But that's just my opinion and I've had to slowly bring up my lagging ferritin from an all time low after donating!

**bethdoth** · 04-19-2013, 04:42 AM

I finally got the rest of the lab results. My total T is down from 852 to 493. So 75mg every 3.5.... reduced to 60mg every 3.5, made it drop this much. Maybe I will try 70mg for 6 weeks and see where it goes? Of course the only lab the doc ordered was total test not free test and he refused to do estradiol. I have an appointment with him next Wed. I will see what I can talk him into.

**austinite** · 04-19-2013, 05:55 AM

Originally Posted by rhoag

I finally got the rest of the lab results. My total T is down from 852 to 493. So 75mg every 3.5.... reduced to 60mg every 3.5, made it drop this much. Maybe I will try 70mg for 6 weeks and see where it goes? Of course the only lab the doc ordered was total test not free test and he refused to do estradiol. I have an appointment with him next Wed. I will see what I can talk him into.

Frustrating isn't it? Really makes no sense why he/she would refuse anything. This is what my last 2 docs were doing as well, needles to say I moved on from them and finally found one that is educated enough to make a difference for me.

Keep up posted rhoag.

**bethdoth** · 04-19-2013, 08:36 AM

I am on my 4th Endro, 1 Urologist, 2 General practitioners. After my labs Wed I made an appointment with a general practitioner (my normal doc was booked) for a sore throat. When he asked me what meds I was on I told him. He proceeds to show me his A$$ where he had pellets put in from the same Urologist that I saw. He asked me if I had considered the pellets. I said yes but, read to much about infections, dropping off like a rock at the 3 month mark, pellets popping out etc... He confirmed that he had an infection, dropped bad and had to use a gel for a couple months, and it hurt like hell for a week after being inserted. Needless to say I told him what I was doing with SubQ and he is now considering trying something new. Pretty bad when a local doctor isn't satisfied with the doctors and feels as lost if not more than me.