High blood pressure and TRT

Alright guys I know this topic has been hit on a bunch but I'm running out of options to lower this BP naturally before I go to the dark side and get on meds. I was on TRT for about six months last year and my BP was normal. I got off for about 3 months and got back on about six weeks ago. Currently on 180mg test/week and hcg protocol days 2,5,6. After a month back on the TRT my systolic shot up to the 140s-150s. Ive been checking once a day in the morning and I think my stress is making it worse because it shot up to 160 for a few days. Not cool. My initial hematocrit levels were at 49%. Could they have shot up to dangerous levels so quickly? I've thought about donating blood. I mean we're only talking six weeks.

I've been adjusting diet to include cutting back on saturated fat and eating more greens and veggies. I usually drink two cups of coffee in the morning and some times before workout but I'm transitioning to Yerba mate which has less caffeine. I've also added in a cardio session on my recovery days. I watch my heart rate and seems like it's in good shape. I am on creatine as well just 5g post workout with my protein shake. I got right on a strength program which bumped my weight up about ten pounds right when I started hitting the test again. I also take MIC shots twice a week but I'm not sure if that would make it worse or better..

So as you can see there's many factors that can affect this problem just not sure where to attack this or if I should go straight onto meds before I end up getting a stroke or aneurism. I don't like the idea of BP meds and I think that whole market is driven by a**holes and don't really address all the side effects especially for someone who's goal is maximum performance. That's not me I eat clean and bust my a** in and out of the gym.

Please help me out guys need some advice I always get great advice from you guys. I just don't want to f*** myself up.

How much water do you drink throughout the day?

Donating would be a good start. If the bp suddenly rose after re starting the trt, it's a good chance you spiked your blood counts.

Also, 180mg a week is a pretty stout dose, are you taking an ai?

One other thing, at 6 weeks you should have blood work due. That would be an excellent way of finding out for sure.

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Originally Posted by hawk14dl

How much water do you drink throughout the day?

Donating would be a good start. If the bp suddenly rose after re starting the trt, it's a good chance you spiked your blood counts.

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I drink a gallon a day usually. I'm in southern AZ so every time I work out I'm losing a ton of water. Donating blood is my next course of action.

I am on an AI forgot to mention. .5g Arimidex/week. Also taking DHEA 7 keto 100mg at night.

Just worried right now. Not sure how long the body can take 160 systolic level at. I doubt it's that high all day. Most likely in the morning when I drink coffee and down vitamins and a lot of water.

Agree with Hawk. Get BW asap.
Stress is a killer. Find ways to alleviate it.
Why 180 per week out of curiosity?
Consider arginine as a natural way to help with your BP:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Wnmk3whIOc

My bp went sky high randomly after about 8 months on trt. Constant 160/100, had some 190/125 a few times after activity. Had random nose bleeds and hard time sleeping.
Donated blood, immediately felt relief.

But like i said, it's time for your blood work anyways. Get b.w., donate asap, I'd bet you feel better.

Get the bw before donating!

Kelkel. 180 is just what they have me at. Last time I was on for about six months and the last BW I had done put my overall T in the high 600s. I never had a problem with the hematocrit levels being high last time either. That's why I would be surprised if that's what the problem is.

The other thing is I don't have any symptoms of high BP. I mean at 160 is should feel headaches or something. Especially during my high intensity days. I have an apt in about 10 days I'll make sure to let them know my concern and get all my levels checked. I did use arginine once but it's the raw powder form and I'm not even going down that route again so I'll have to order some more.

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Originally Posted by 0331FTW

Kelkel. 180 is just what they have me at. Last time I was on for about six months and the last BW I had done put my overall T in the high 600s. I never had a problem with the hematocrit levels being high last time either. That's why I would be surprised if that's what the problem is.

The other thing is I don't have any symptoms of high BP. I mean at 160 is should feel headaches or something. Especially during my high intensity days. I have an apt in about 10 days I'll make sure to let them know my concern and get all my levels checked. I did use arginine once but it's the raw powder form and I'm not even going down that route again so I'll have to order some more.

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Most people won't experience any negative outward signs/symptoms with a systolic of 160.

I am trying a over the counter supplement called q10 to lower mine. I am about 135/90 from 120/80. When I go to my doc he checks it and it's about 135/90 he talks to me about health and other stuff to see how i react. He started to talk about me getting a MRI on my shoulder. Checked my BP and it was 160/100. So stress effects it greatly. He recommended lexapro for stress but I am waiting to go down that road. Good luck keep us posted.

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Originally Posted by Iceberg

I am trying a over the counter supplement called q10 to lower mine. I am about 135/90 from 120/80. When I go to my doc he checks it and it's about 135/90 he talks to me about health and other stuff to see how i react. He started to talk about me getting a MRI on my shoulder. Checked my BP and it was 160/100. So stress effects it greatly. He recommended lexapro for stress but I am waiting to go down that road. Good luck keep us posted.

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Also any caffeine, environmental factors, stress just the movement could elevate systolic. Every time I go to a new dr or appointments for new things my bp is always higher and when I go to treatment I'm used to it and my bp 120/80.

From my personal experience, you hematocrit is probably high. That said, creatine will have you retain water, at least it does with me. Arginine at about 10 grams daily will help with that.

I just dont get people sometimes. No offense to the OP, but people come in here regularly with High BP levels, yet they dont donate & wont even think of taking a BP med when it's suggested. I mean you're already injecting exogenous test, HCG and taking all the ancillaries that accompany TRT. Yet they want to remain "natural" by refusing to take a simple BP Med? That's just skewed thinking IMO. Anyone walking around with a BP of >150/90 is asking for trouble.

The correct course of action would be to take the med in order to get your BP levels down in the short-term. Then through cardio, donating blood, reducing the Test Dose, and managing your diet you may be able to reduce the med or eliminate it entirely down the road. Good luck...

^^^ Well said.

Why is taking bp meds the "dark side"???

It may save your life and/or your kidneys...

I didn't say I was against donating blood. I just have to wait until next week when I see the doc. I just meant that I would be surprised if it was the hematocrit levels since I've only been on for six weeks and last time I was on it for about six months with no issues. The main reason I started this thread is to get some advice on any possible natural solution to this not completey disregarding the use of BP meds and sorry for using the term "going to the dark side" didn't mean to offend anyone who's taking it. Just a joke and a term I hear regularly. People I know that got on it that it can be a vicious cycle of your body getting used to one type of med and having to switch all the time.

And yes I do use test and hcg which isn't natural but that's after a few years of trying everything naturally to boost my levels into normal ranges. Unfortunately I haven't been a 9-5 office guy ever who gets to eat whenever and sleep 8 hours a night and it's taken a toll on my endocrine system so I decided to try it out. And the benefits are well worth it so far IMO.

Thanks for everyone's advice I will keep you guys updated with my results pre and post donating blood. And the 180mg dosing is not my decision it's where the doc puts me at. I can bring it up to him next week.

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Originally Posted by Mr.BB

^^^ Well said.

Why is taking bp meds the "dark side"???

It may save your life and/or your kidneys...

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speaking for myself, BP meds have an ED causing effect on me. That said, I take it when needed and donate regularly. Even though I believe mine is an ace inhibitor, it still does. I hate it when I let myself slip. :(

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Originally Posted by Beethoven

speaking for myself, BP meds have an ED causing effect on me. That said, I take it when needed and donate regularly. Even though I believe mine is an ace inhibitor, it still does. I hate it when I let myself slip. :(

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If you're having ED issues from a BP Med, it's likely a Beta Blockers in type. Which one are you taking? Beta Blockers are notorious for causing ED in men. You should look into taking a Channel Calcium Blocker type instead like Candesartan etc...

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Originally Posted by Beethoven

speaking for myself, BP meds have an ED causing effect on me. That said, I take it when needed and donate regularly. Even though I believe mine is an ace inhibitor, it still does. I hate it when I let myself slip. :(

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Sorry to hear :(

Thought that beta blockers were the only ones causing ED. I take an ARB when I feel the BP spike.

Have you tried other types of BP meds?

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Originally Posted by 0331FTW

I didn't say I was against donating blood. I just have to wait until next week when I see the doc. I just meant that I would be surprised if it was the hematocrit levels since I've only been on for six weeks and last time I was on it for about six months with no issues. The main reason I started this thread is to get some advice on any possible natural solution to this not completey disregarding the use of BP meds and sorry for using the term "going to the dark side" didn't mean to offend anyone who's taking it. Just a joke and a term I hear regularly. People I know that got on it that it can be a vicious cycle of your body getting used to one type of med and having to switch all the time.

And yes I do use test and hcg which isn't natural but that's after a few years of trying everything naturally to boost my levels into normal ranges. Unfortunately I haven't been a 9-5 office guy ever who gets to eat whenever and sleep 8 hours a night and it's taken a toll on my endocrine system so I decided to try it out. And the benefits are well worth it so far IMO.

Thanks for everyone's advice I will keep you guys updated with my results pre and post donating blood. And the 180mg dosing is not my decision it's where the doc puts me at. I can bring it up to him next week.

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Do you drink any alcohol? If so cut back can cause a huge increase in blood pressure.

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Originally Posted by APIs

If you're having ED issues from a BP Med, it's likely a Beta Blockers in type. Which one are you taking? Beta Blockers are notorious for causing ED in men. You should look into taking a Channel Calcium Blocker type instead like Candesartan etc...

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Haven't tried others lately. I used to take Benicar but insurance won't cover it. The best thing to do is drop weight and come off it. I notice a difference as soon as I drop the dosage or come off it.

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Originally Posted by Mr.BB

Sorry to hear :(

Thought that beta blockers were the only ones causing ED. I take an ARB when I feel the BP spike.

Have you tried other types of BP meds?

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I have heard that. What's an ARB? Ace inhibitors are supposed to be friendly towards ED, maybe it's just the weight itself, but once I'm off it I improve 100 percent.

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Originally Posted by Beethoven

I have heard that. What's an ARB? Ace inhibitors are supposed to be friendly towards ED, maybe it's just the weight itself, but once I'm off it I improve 100 percent.

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ARB, angiotension receptor blocker

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Originally Posted by xcraider37

Do you drink any alcohol? If so cut back can cause a huge increase in blood pressure.

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It tends to do the opposite, since it is a diuretic and vasodilator. Hypertension is only an issue when alcoholics are in withdrawals.

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Originally Posted by bonaparte

it tends to do the opposite, since it is a diuretic and vasodilator. Hypertension is only an issue when alcoholics are in withdrawals.

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Originally Posted by xcraider37

Do you drink any alcohol? If so cut back can cause a huge increase in blood pressure.

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I don't drink alcohol. Maybe once in a blue moon I'll have a few beers.

Assuming that my BP is high because of the high hematocrit levels would that mean that I would have to donate every six weeks? I don't even think you can donate more than once every two months.. I'll know for sure what it is next week but considering my options at this point.

You can donate every 56 days I think...

I think about eight weeks is right. If your hematocrit is so high that once every eight weeks is not enough you need to re consider your dosage.