Does TRT Always Increase Red Blood Cells

[bedada]

I've been reading some threads about raised hemoglobin and hematocrit. Before I went on TRT mine was somewhat high 17.7 and 52.9. Does it always increase while on TRT?

Thanks

[djgreen]

Yes alot of things will oncrease that is why there is a risk of heart attack amung other things

[kelkel]

Yes alot of things will oncrease that is why there is a risk of heart attack amung other things

Easy now. A properly monitored TRT protocol does not increase the risk of heart attacks. Statements such as that have already been debunked by many of the industries experts in TRT.

[kelkel]

I've been reading some threads about raised hemoglobin and hematocrit. Before I went on TRT mine was somewhat high 17.7 and 52.9. Does it always increase while on TRT?

Thanks

To your question, some need to give blood on TRT to help manage hematocrit, others do not. Many times simply lowering the dose of testosterone will alleviate the problem.

[2Sox]

From everything I know, the short answer would be yes, based on simple physiology. But that does not necessarily mean that TRT would raise a man's numbers above normal. It's a particularly individual thing. Simple solution: give blood at the Red Cross every 56 days. You'd be helping yourself and others at the same time. High RBC and Hematocrit - that can be remedied in this way - are certainly not valid reasons to avoid TRT, IMO.

[Beethoven]

Yes in my case. However with the right dose and blood donations every eight weeks you should be ok.

[Brett N]

Yep, here too. Donate. You can give double red blood cells if you want to do it less often. You will also feel better after you give.

On the plus side, I always search the red cross donation centers to find drives that are giving away shirts. Always nice to have free work or workout clothes. (I know, it sounds greedy)

[Joco71]

Ya that is a bit weird. But ya giving blood will help you and more importantly it will likely be life saving for someone else.

[almostgone]

Easy now. A properly monitored TRT protocol does not increase the risk of heart attacks. Statements such as that have already been debunked by many of the industries experts in TRT.

Thank you!
The more I read, the more that I think a high % of people that have coronary/cardiac issues after being on TRT had an unknown pre existing condition ( genetic clotting conditions, etc). TRT is just a readily available target to point a finger at.

[kelkel]

Thank you!
The more I read, the more that I think a high % of people that have coronary/cardiac issues after being on TRT had an unknown pre existing condition ( genetic clotting conditions, etc). TRT is just a readily available target to point a finger at.

Exactly. You're restoring someone to "normal" physiological levels.

[jimmyinkedup]

Exactly. You're restoring someone to "normal" physiological levels.

So true, true trt is doing just that. Many on their own unsupervised "trt" programs are actually cruising, not doing trt. Huge difference.

[Low Testosterone]

Blood can get thicker, if it's enough to be a concern is hit or miss, meaning it can be for some but it won't be for most. However, it can be for enough that it's necessary to keep an eye on.

However, I do have to disagree with being proactive regarding donating blood. Sure, donating is a nice thing to do in terms of helping society out, but giving blood every 8wks or so when you don't actually need to, you're potentially setting yourself up for problems. It's not that hard to lower your RBC and Hematocrit too much.

[Brett N]

What possible problems from donating. My father who is now 72 has donated around 5x a year since he was a kid I. The marines and learned he had a less common blood type.

Are you saying potential problems if you're on TRT or problems all together? I have never heard this, it's a new one to me.

[Low Testosterone]

If you give blood too often, you can give yourself a lot of fatigue, low iron, etc. In simple terms, think along the lines of purposely giving yourself anemia. Does this apply to everyone? Of course not, some people replenish much faster than others. But what if you're not high to begin with and you keep donating blood every couple of months? Not everyone experiences elevated levels of hematocrit and RBC to the point of necessary donations.

[2Sox]

If you give blood too often, you can give yourself a lot of fatigue, low iron, etc. In simple terms, think along the lines of purposely giving yourself anemia. Does this apply to everyone? Of course not, some people replenish much faster than others. But what if you're not high to begin with and you keep donating blood every couple of months? Not everyone experiences elevated levels of hematocrit and RBC to the point of necessary donations.

This makes a great deal of sense and I agree completely. When I first began TRT, I had to keep a close watch on my RBC and hematocrit as hematocrit was always hovering near the high range. I began giving blood every two months and it came down into the high 40's - within a safe range. For the last several months it's remained stable within this range and I haven't had to donate. IMO, it's just a matter of keeping a watch on things through periodic blood work.

[Brett N]

If you give blood too often, you can give yourself a lot of fatigue, low iron, etc. In simple terms, think along the lines of purposely giving yourself anemia. Does this apply to everyone? Of course not, some people replenish much faster than others. But what if you're not high to begin with and you keep donating blood every couple of months? Not everyone experiences elevated levels of hematocrit and RBC to the point of necessary donations.

Totally makes sense. Thanks for the explanation.

[almostgone]

If you give blood too often, you can give yourself a lot of fatigue, low iron, etc. In simple terms, think along the lines of purposely giving yourself anemia. Does this apply to everyone? Of course not, some people replenish much faster than others. But what if you're not high to begin with and you keep donating blood every couple of months? Not everyone experiences elevated levels of hematocrit and RBC to the point of necessary donations.

True, some of us crank it out ridiculously fast.

[almostgone]

Just wanted to add that I'm definitely not anti-TRT regarding those with clotting issues, far from it actually. I just hope they will be able to come up with a way to deal with the deficiencies in the clotting cascade so that TRT will be safer and less controversial for people with clotting disorders.
I've been reading information on the whole process and by the time you throw possible disorders into the picture, I usually end up with one hell of a headache.

[booku]

anyone can chime in, What do you think the risks are for someone who takes say 200 mg/ week and puts them at say 1200-1600, but they eat a very healthy diet, cardio, weights, do blood work, monitor estrogen, red blood cell count and they always keep those in range

[shorty09]

thats interesting u mention that kel could u shed some light on that area about lowering dose can allivate the problem more? thanks

[kelkel]

thats interesting u mention that kel could u shed some light on that area about lowering dose can allivate the problem more? thanks

Just that less is more with TRT. The goal is to achieve optimal levels with the minimum amount of test and/or ancillaries. The less you use equals less side effects. Some are more prone to hematocrit issues and will have to give blood occasionally. Others can do grams a week of test with no issues. My point is that the less you use the better the odds of having less side effects such as hema, E2, etc.. In most all cases elevated hemo/hema does not develop on its own. Something triggers it and in this case, it's exogenous testosterone.

[Pale1]

Just that less is more with TRT. The goal is to achieve optimal levels with the minimum amount of test and/or ancillaries. The less you use equals less side effects. Some are more prone to hematocrit issues and will have to give blood occasionally. Others can do grams a week of test with no issues. My point is that the less you use the better the odds of having less side effects such as hema, E2, etc.. In most all cases elevated hemo/hema does not develop on its own. Something triggers it and in this case, it's exogenous testosterone.

I think a lot of guys get caught up in the idea that they finally have a prescription for steroids & they're going to make the most of it, when they really need to be looking at the big picture & as you said, using the minimal amount necessary to get the desired effects. For me, that's 250 IU's of HCG 2x/ week & 40 mg's of Test Cyp 2x/ week. This puts me in the high end of the normal range & also allows me to control hematocrit levels with bi-monthly donations. This is despite the fact that my doctor actually prescribes me more than double the dose I'm actually taking. I simply don't need that much so I don't use it.

[nyjetsfan]

I think a lot of guys get caught up in the idea that they finally have a prescription for steroids & they're going to make the most of it, when they really need to be looking at the big picture & as you said, using the minimal amount necessary to get the desired effects. For me, that's 250 IU's of HCG 2x/ week & 40 mg's of Test Cyp 2x/ week. This puts me in the high end of the normal range & also allows me to control hematocrit levels with bi-monthly donations. This is despite the fact that my doctor actually prescribes me more than double the dose I'm actually taking. I simply don't need that much so I don't use it.

my protocol exactly!

[kelkel]

Awesome that you guys are getting great results with 80 mgs per week! What kind of numbers are you producing with total and free?

[Pale1]

My total was 910 when I checked it a month ago. Free T, haven't checked it in a while b/c it has historically stayed tied very tight to my total so I haven't had that checked in the past year. I have to pay for each individual test so I don't check some things unless I have some reason to be suspicious.

[kelkel]

I'd reverse it then and check only free, imho.

[Pale1]

That's a good idea actually. Thanks!