Can high RBC cause lighheadedness/vertigo?

[ks1234]

Hi all. I've been on TRT for awhile (maybe 3-4 years). I've definitely had my ups and downs with it and for the most part things have been really good. About a year ago my pharmacy started giving me the 10ml vials when I refill so I've had a ton of test on hand. I decided to start playing around with higher doses (because if some is good, more must be great, right? Lol). I was taking up to 200mg of test a week and not donating blood like I should of been. Anyway, last time I went to the doc he said my hematocrit was 56 on a max of 48 scale (I think), he was like "this is ridiculously high, you need to go donate now". My blood pressure was also like 150/90. Anyway, I've never had issues this bad so I cut my test back to 150mg/wk and donated blood (my hematocrit was so high that wouldn't do double reds because they said it was against their rules to hook me up to the machine). I've also gained about 30 pounds over the last year so I'm sure that hadn't helped either with my issues.

Anyway, long story short, I've been experiencing increased cases of vertigo/lighheadedness. I was getting this pretty bad around the time I went to donate blood and I feel like it got better afterwards but I really don't rememeber (I'm due for another donation in 3-4 days). I've always experienced slight cases of vertigo that would come and go but was pretty rare but now it's quite a bit. I also suffer from pretty bad anxiety so I really am not sure if it could be from that (I don't know which is cause and which is effect) because I definitely feel extremely anxious when i get it. I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced anything like this or if it could be TRT related or if it could be something more serious. Thanks in advance

[EDCG19]

How old are you?
Are you bruising easily as a result of high RBCs?

Do you have sleep apnea as well? High hemoglobin/hematorcit isn't a serious issue in most cased but it gets treated the same way. Donate blood and maybe try grapefruit seed extract
Some people also take a low dose aspirin in the morning

[kelkel]

Drop your dose down as well until BW shows you're at a stable level with your hema.
Elevated RBC's can most definitely lead to dizzyness, polycythemia.

[ks1234]

Drop your dose down as well until BW shows you're at a stable level with your hema.
Elevated RBC's can most definitely lead to dizzyness, polycythemia.

So, I donated blood (53 HC on a max 50 scale) and laid off the caffeine, haven't had a single dizzy spell since

[Youthful55guy]

Hi all. I've been on TRT for awhile (maybe 3-4 years). I've definitely had my ups and downs with it and for the most part things have been really good. About a year ago my pharmacy started giving me the 10ml vials when I refill so I've had a ton of test on hand. I decided to start playing around with higher doses (because if some is good, more must be great, right? Lol). I was taking up to 200mg of test a week and not donating blood like I should of been. Anyway, last time I went to the doc he said my hematocrit was 56 on a max of 48 scale (I think), he was like "this is ridiculously high, you need to go donate now". My blood pressure was also like 150/90. Anyway, I've never had issues this bad so I cut my test back to 150mg/wk and donated blood (my hematocrit was so high that wouldn't do double reds because they said it was against their rules to hook me up to the machine). I've also gained about 30 pounds over the last year so I'm sure that hadn't helped either with my issues.

Anyway, long story short, I've been experiencing increased cases of vertigo/lighheadedness. I was getting this pretty bad around the time I went to donate blood and I feel like it got better afterwards but I really don't rememeber (I'm due for another donation in 3-4 days). I've always experienced slight cases of vertigo that would come and go but was pretty rare but now it's quite a bit. I also suffer from pretty bad anxiety so I really am not sure if it could be from that (I don't know which is cause and which is effect) because I definitely feel extremely anxious when i get it. I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced anything like this or if it could be TRT related or if it could be something more serious. Thanks in advance

Even 150 mg per week is probably more than you need. You also need to split that dose up into at least 2 injections. I recommend dropping the dose down to 50 mg 2X per week or E3D (whichever works for you) until you have your hemoglobin/hematocrit under control. Then let labs dictate whether you need to increase it. More is not always better.

[ks1234]

Even 150 mg per week is probably more than you need. You also need to split that dose up into at least 2 injections. I recommend dropping the dose down to 50 mg 2X per week or E3D (whichever works for you) until you have your hemoglobin/hematocrit under control. Then let labs dictate whether you need to increase it. More is not always better.

150mg/wk is really my sweet spot and what I normally run. If I do less than 150 I have trouble with sex drive/erections and doing more leads to high rbc (apparently). I went a little stupid the last few months going higher but I wanted to see what would happen and now I know. I'm not always the best at donating blood and my rbc usually hangs out around 51ish but like I said, too much test and too little blood donations led to me feeling like crap. As for 2X a week injections, I know that's the "normal" protocol around here and I tried it... and I totally hate it. Injecting 1x a week sucks enough for me. Lol

[Chrisp83TRT]

Whatever youthful says is pretty golden so yeah definitely take his advice.
I would say the sudden increase in test , the weight gain was not helping at all.
Plus the fact that you raised your test probably increased your E levels which most likely effected your sex drive etc.... when being on TRT it’s importsnt that more isn’t always more.

[Youthful55guy]

150mg/wk is really my sweet spot and what I normally run. If I do less than 150 I have trouble with sex drive/erections and doing more leads to high rbc (apparently). I went a little stupid the last few months going higher but I wanted to see what would happen and now I know. I'm not always the best at donating blood and my rbc usually hangs out around 51ish but like I said, too much test and too little blood donations led to me feeling like crap. As for 2X a week injections, I know that's the "normal" protocol around here and I tried it... and I totally hate it. Injecting 1x a week sucks enough for me. Lol

I'm curious, what are you using to inject? I find the 18G 1/2 inch needle of an insulin syringe to be virtually painless and takes me about 1 minute to draw and 10 seconds to inject. For me, E3D injections have been highly sustainable for about 6 years.

I was going to edit this, but I'll leave it up since it is rather humorous. I'm trying to envision an 18G 1/2 inch needle. What can I say, I'm really into pain! LoL. In reality, it's a 28G 1/2 needle!

[almostgone]

I'm curious, what are you using to inject? I find the 18G 1/2 inch needle of an insulin syringe to be virtually painless and takes me about 1 minute to draw and 10 seconds to inject. For me, E3D injections have been highly sustainable for about 6 years.

LOL, I know you meant 28ga or 29ga but I'm sitting here half asleep reading posts while the wife is at the endodontist. I had this crazy visual of someone blasting a barrel of slin with a stubby 18ga. spike.
Blame it on sleep deprivation.

[ks1234]

I'm curious, what are you using to inject? I find the 18G 1/2 inch needle of an insulin syringe to be virtually painless and takes me about 1 minute to draw and 10 seconds to inject. For me, E3D injections have been highly sustainable for about 6 years.

I use a 1in 23g to inject. It usually doesn't hurt, doesn't bleed, I'm just lazy (not lazy I just have so much other stuff on my plate I have to minimize where I can). Also, 1x a week has worked really well for me. 1x a week on test and 1 hcg shot later in the week keeps me cruising just fine for the most part

[ks1234]

Whatever youthful says is pretty golden so yeah definitely take his advice.
I would say the sudden increase in test , the weight gain was not helping at all.
Plus the fact that you raised your test probably increased your E levels which most likely effected your sex drive etc.... when being on TRT it’s importsnt that more isn’t always more.

My sex drive was ridiculous at 200wk. If I had my gf with me for a weekend it wasn't uncommon to have sex 8-9 times from Friday night to Sunday night. Basically it got to the point where she would say "don't freaking touch me anymore!" Lol!

[kelkel]

I use a 1in 23g to inject. It usually doesn't hurt, doesn't bleed, I'm just lazy (not lazy I just have so much other stuff on my plate I have to minimize where I can). Also, 1x a week has worked really well for me. 1x a week on test and 1 hcg shot later in the week keeps me cruising just fine for the most part

Grab some 25 ga 1" next go round. Easier and less scar tissue over time. Regarding your protocol, it's old school but if it's working for you and blood work is on-point, it's a win-win.

[Youthful55guy]

LOL, I know you meant 28ga or 29ga but I'm sitting here half asleep reading posts while the wife is at the endodontist. I had this crazy visual of someone blasting a barrel of slin with a stubby 18ga. spike.
Blame it on sleep deprivation.

What can I say? I'm into pain! Sorry about the confusion. I'll edit the post.