At Home Tests

[Beethoven]

As most of you probably know that one of the sides to trt is the rise of hematocrit levels. From what I've seen most of us see it when we do routine labs. I've noticed the small meter they use at the Red Cross to measure it, so I checked the internet for hematocrit meters and found some. I also found at home tests for testosterone levels. Do any of you use at home testing equipment? I just feel as far as hematocrit goes that it's much more convenient to keep track of the hematocrit level this way than to have to go to Red Cross to get it checked.

[Bonaparte]

The best way to measure hematocrit is with a capillary pipette and a centrifuge
But no, I don't have one of those either.

[almostgone]

Dang, it sure would make life much less complicated to have a a glucometer type doohickey to check hematocrit @ home.
Beethoven, if you pursue this further, post up your thoughts on it, please. Gracias!!

Bona, if you break down and purchase a centrifuge shoot me a PM, please.

[Beethoven]

I will. I got the idea from nice people at the Red Cross. They mentioned someone there had bought one on Amazon. Looking into one that does blood glucose, cholesterol and hemoglobin. It's about $100.

[2Sox]

To my knowledge the only thing they check at The Red Cross when donating is iron level. That's what they test for when they pin prick your finger for a drop of blood. Beethoven, are you sure you got this right?

[Beethoven]

To my knowledge the only thing they check at The Red Cross when donating is iron level. That's what they test for when they pin prick your finger for a drop of blood. Beethoven, are you sure you got this right?

They are checking hemoglobin levels which transfers over to hematocrit. They have been pretty much right on or really close. I have always gone after BW so I'm sure they are correct.

[almostgone]

^^^ I'm really liking the idea of this..especially since my hematocrit was high pre-TRT. Think I may peek around online and see what is available.

[lovbyts]

Hemoglobin/Hematocrit Tests - STAT-Site M Hgb Meter

The tester runs $99
It looks like you have to order the test cards by the batch of 100 and they are another $119

[almostgone]

Hmmm....I bet 100 strips would expire before all were used. Still would be really handy.

[lovbyts]

Hmmm....I bet 100 strips would expire before all were used. Still would be really handy.

What would be nice with something like that is if you knew 2 or 3 people good enough that were near you to go in on the deal to make it really affordable as long as someone doesn't flake out and try to keep it or???

[Beethoven]

Actually this is the one I had in mind.
Amazon.com: EasyLife Hemoglobin Test Meter Kit: Health & Personal Care

[lovbyts]

Actually this is the one I had in mind.
Amazon.com: EasyLife Hemoglobin Test Meter Kit: Health & Personal Care

Hmmm that one screams China made to me so I would not trust it as much personally.

Nope I'm wrong, it's Taiwan.
http://www.alibaba.com/product-detai...527417302.html

[almostgone]

I was looking at this one. A little pricey, but for the convenience of knowing HCT, believe it may be worth it. Still researching though.

URIT-12 Hemoglobin(Hemospherin),HCT(Hematocrit) Test Meter Kit:Amazon:Health & Personal Care

[Beethoven]

I was looking at this one. A little pricey, but for the convenience of knowing HCT, believe it may be worth it. Still researching though.

URIT-12 Hemoglobin(Hemospherin),HCT(Hematocrit) Test Meter Kit:Amazon:Health & Personal Care

I looked at that one also. Don't know if it is better than the other one, just more expensive.

[Beethoven]

The Urit12 though does have one review of five stars. The lesser priced one does not even have a review.

[almostgone]

I looked at that one also. Don't know if it is better than the other one, just more expensive.

Yes sir, same here. Still mulling it over/researching it.

[Bonaparte]

Guys, you can seriously buy a used centrifuge on ebay for like $80. Way better than a hemoglobin reader (since hematocrit is what we care about, not really hemoglobin).
The process is very simple.

[almostgone]

Guys, you can seriously buy a used centrifuge on ebay for like $80. Way better than a hemoglobin reader (since hematocrit is what we care about, not really hemoglobin).
The process is very simple.

LOL, I don't know really know too much about it, Bona. What's the general process when you spin it out via centrifuge? How do you get the end result?
I think I get the general plot....Sample>test tube >cap it>spin it, but if you have a link to the process or could post how you end up w/ a value, that would be great! If I can get the hematocrit/pcv via a more economical method, then I'm all for it.

Thanks! The info is much appreciated.

[lovbyts]

LOL, I don't know really know too much about it, Bona. What's the general process when you spin it out via centrifuge? How do you get the end result?
I think I get the general plot....Sample>test tube >cap it>spin it, but if you have a link to the process or could post how you end up w/ a value, that would be great! If I can get the hematocrit/pcv via a more economical method, then I'm all for it.

Thanks! The info is much appreciated.

OK looks like most of them you will need a hematocrit reader but there are some out there that show the results automatically.

The only other issue I see is you have to use a lot more blood to do it this way.

Yeah they are actually pretty cheap on ebay.
Lab Centrifuges | eBay

(1) If anticoagulated venous blood is the specimen, fill a plain capillary tube with blood. If blood without anticoagulant is used, fill a heparinized capillary tube with the blood specimen. A heparinized capillary tube is identified by red line on the tube specimen. A heparinized capillary tube is identified by a red line on the tube.
(2) Allow blood to enter two capillary tubes until they are approximately 2/3 filled with blood. (Air bubbles denote poor technique, but do not affect the results of the test.
(3) Seal the unfilled ends of the tubes with clay.
(4) Place the two hematocrit tubes in the radial grooves of the centrifuge head exactly opposite each other, with the sealed end away from the center of the centrifuge.
(5) Screw the flat centrifuge head cover in place.
(6) Centrifuge at 10,000 rpm for 5 minutes.

(7) Remove the hematocrit tubes as soon as the centrifuge has stopped spinning. Determine the hematocrit values with the aid of a microhematocrit reader. Results should agree within +2 percent. If they do not, repeat the procedure.

[almostgone]

Owww...my head hurts.. . ...clay?

..but thanks, lbyts!! Getting closer to getting this nailed down. . Maybe it would be better if I go to one of the labs here in town and just get them to run a CBC for Mr..Cash????

[lovbyts]

haha yeah I was thinking the same thing when I read it, clay? I'm guessing they use it to help seal the vial in some way?

This is a good visual how it works though.

[Beethoven]

Getting the blood from the vein would be my downfall.

[lovbyts]

Getting the blood from the vein would be my downfall.

Yeah me too but some of them use the little tubes that you still only need the finger prick.



Remember, it's OK to prick your finger but not to finger your prick.

[Beethoven]

Yeah me too but some of them use the little tubes that you still only need the finger prick.



Remember, it's OK to prick your finger but not to finger your prick.

Ah, love that Carlin reference.
One of my Drs must use that. The "pricked" my finger and took out a bunch like in that pic. Did a whole CBC that way. Or almost a whole CBC. Wouldn't mind doing it that way.

[lovbyts]

Yeah they dont make them like George anymore. I was disappointed when he died that I never got to go see him perform live. I love his bits on the government and education. People laughed at the way he put things but he was dead serious and right on point 100%.

[Beethoven]

Yeah they dont make them like George anymore. I was disappointed when he died that I never got to go see him perform live. I love his bits on the government and education. People laughed at the way he put things but he was dead serious and right on point 100%.

I know what you mean. His comedy was a really clear view on life. To this day whenever I hear the phrase "class clown" or the seven deadlies, I think of him.
And I agree that tits shouldn't even be on the list. Lol

[Bonaparte]

It's just a capillary tube (a little glass tube equal to maybe an 18g needle). Only takes a drop of blood. Just draw up the blood by placing one end in the blood drop, seal both ends with a dab of clay, spin the hell out of it and measure.

[lovbyts]

If that's all ill just give it to my kid and tell her to spin around for 20 minutes.

[almostgone]

It's just a capillary tube (a little glass tube equal to maybe an 18g needle). Only takes a drop of blood. Just draw up the blood by placing one end in the blood drop, seal both ends with a dab of clay, spin the hell out of it and measure.

Thanks, Bona. So does Heparinized 70µL tubes sound like the correct ones?

[Beethoven]

Do you have a link to the capillaries?

[Bonaparte]

Carl Roth GmbH + Co. KG - life science chemikalien laborbedarf

First item.

You'll also need a very precise measuring tool.

[almostgone]

Calipers?

[Beethoven]

Thanks. This would definitely be more accurate than the others I think.

[Bonaparte]

Calipers?

Standard Digital Calipers - Series:EC16

The first one listed is a great deal.

[Beethoven]

I freakin love this place!

[almostgone]

Standard Digital Calipers - Series:EC16

The first one listed is a great deal.

LMAO....thanks, Bona. I think I'm covered in that dep't. I've been a machinist over half my life. I have digital, dial, and even some old vernier calipers from waaaay back on the day when my eyes were sharper.
Really do appreciate all of the great info It's a huge help!!!


...and it's the ratio of the thicknesses of the layers that determines the %. Hmm, there's less voodoo in this than I thought.

[almostgone]

I freakin love this place!

Same here, Beethoven !!