Elevated Hematocrit and Hemoglobin with Testosterone Injection Therapy

[forrie]

[re-posting here, as it may be more appropriate]

I'm on 1CC Cypionate , bi-weekly, now. My bloodwork is normal and while, yes, I will consult my new endo doc about this, I wanted to see what others' experiences are here. My hemoglobin and hematocrit are right on the high level of normal (or one point above), though my other bloodwork is normal.

I've been down this road before when my testosterone dosing was grossly mis-managed by another doc, where I had to go for phlebotomies to drain out excess blood -- not a fun experience, in fact I thought it was bizarre.

I will guess the doc will either 1) leave it alone and see if things normalize, or 2) lower my dose slightly and see. He may or may not order a phlebotomy. Unfortunately, I don't know any vampires :-)

The dangers of these elevated levels include stroke, and a host of other issues I can't readily think of. So, I'm guessing others here have encountered this issue and I'm curious what approaches were taken on your behalf.

Thanks!

[FONZY007]

I think it something you can't get away from while on TRT. I donate blood every 56 days, helps me and I help someone in return.

Start donation my friend..

I was high at my low dose of 100mg a week also

[forrie]

I also wonder of the long-term side effects or consequences, if any, from having the body over-produce cells like that.

[38onTRT]

Donating blood and TRT go hand in hand.. Its actually good for you to give blood..

[Allaaro]

Donate blood and go for another phlebotomy if need be. But don't worry too much about being just 1 point above the range. Most docs are fine with a few points above.....but obviously still a concern to lower it while keeping you in that range.

[bass]

yes donating blood is part of the TRT protocol. prolonged high levels can lead to developing blood clots, and can result in a premature death. like the others said short term is not a concern, don't wait too long, go give blood and plan on doing it as often as they allow.

[ctenosaura]

I think it something you can't get away from while on TRT. I donate blood every 56 days, helps me and I help someone in return.

Is donating blood once every two months enough to keep hemoglobin levels normal? I donated on the 20th and am scheduled again for feb 14th. They were so thrilled I became a donor lol

[bass]

Is donating blood once every two months enough to keep hemoglobin levels normal? I donated on the 20th and am scheduled again for feb 14th. They were so thrilled I became a donor lol

For some its not, especially if they're on high dose TRT

[FONZY007]

Is donating blood once every two months enough to keep hemoglobin levels normal? I donated on the 20th and am scheduled again for feb 14th. They were so thrilled I became a donor lol

Mine was just a tad over after 4 weeks of donating.. Here is my bw to show..

[MyteeJ]

Had my first donation in November and planning next one as soon as I'm cleared.

It's a small price to pay for all of the benefits. At my donation I offered to donate extra red cells but they didn't have equipment to extract them. The tech told me blood going to local childrens hospital so my donation helped 4 little ones - pretty cool I think.

My diet wasn't zeroed in when I donated last and my cardio was terrible for the week following. Hoping for better post donation feeling next time.

[harley121]

I did the double red blood cell donation. They just take the rbc's and put everything else back in so you feel way better after, recover quicker and they get 2x the rbc's. Not every place does it though.

[Rusty11]

Is this true for everyone? I'm on 10 grams gel/day. I've never donated. Last bw showed hemocrit @ 45.7. That was three months ago. I've been on the gel for nine months
Should I just go and do it. I read that hemocrit levels rise the first 12 weeks of trt, then stay steady at or near that level.

[bass]

Is this true for everyone? I'm on 10 grams gel/day. I've never donated. Last bw showed hemocrit @ 45.7. That was three months ago. I've been on the gel for nine months
Should I just go and do it. I read that hemocrit levels rise the first 12 weeks of trt, then stay steady at or near that level.

You probably fine, but it wouldn't hurt to donate anyway.

[forrie]

This is something I wondered about, whether this was possible. I would also wonder if certain insurance plans would pay for it. I have a generous/good health plan PPO. When separating out the RBC's, I wonder that they put back the good CD4s (T and helper cells). How on earth they separate all that out is a mystery to me.

I did the double red blood cell donation. They just take the rbc's and put everything else back in so you feel way better after, recover quicker and they get 2x the rbc's. Not every place does it though.

[Rusty11]

Thanks. Yea...I guess there's really no reason not to do it.

[harley121]

This is something I wondered about, whether this was possible. I would also wonder if certain insurance plans would pay for it. I have a generous/good health plan PPO. When separating out the RBC's, I wonder that they put back the good CD4s (T and helper cells). How on earth they separate all that out is a mystery to me.

They do it in 2 stages- they drain out a pint into a machine which is just a sterile centrifuge- (spins around very fast inside), they process or spin that pint- the RBC's apparently are flung out or stay inside the centrifuge, they take them and then pump back everything else into you. They do that whole thing 2x. I felt fine when I left. 1st time ever donating blood.

[sparverius]

Is this true for everyone? I'm on 10 grams gel/day. I've never donated. Last bw showed hemocrit @ 45.7. That was three months ago. I've been on the gel for nine months
Should I just go and do it. I read that hemocrit levels rise the first 12 weeks of trt, then stay steady at or near that level.

With 6 years on gel my HCT never went above 40, and I was on 20g/day for most of that.

[unscarred]

I thought I'd mention that there is an alternative to blood donation that has been proven via a research and that of which I tested successfully on myself and that is supplementing with red grapefruit to lower abnormally high HCT, Hb, and RBC. Whether you are seeking alternatives or not, at least you know you have more options.

[Rusty11]

With 6 years on gel my HCT never went above 40, and I was on 20g/day for most of that.

That's good to know. Thanks!

unscarred. I love grapefruit. I like pink grapefruit. Don't recall seeing red, though.

[forrie]

Some folk would be wise to check any medications (if on any) to ensure grapefruit isn't a danger. Grapefruit contains furanocoumarins, which block an enzyme that normally breaks down certain medications in the body. When it is left unchecked, medication levels can grow toxic in the body... and make you wish you hadn't :-)

[Cheriej]

I know you wrote this a few years ago Unscarred, but I am dealing with this now, if you are still active on this board are you still dealing with this natural way of reducing your abnormally high HCT, HB, and RBC with Grapefruit? How are you doing? Thanks.... My numbers looked very close to yours initially, and I stumbled across the grapefruit research on the internet as well!

[bigt405]

I tried everything, but the, only thing that has gotten mine under control is regular donations. Don't wait to long to go this route or you will find if it gets too high they will not accept your blood. Good luck!

[diehard09]

I have to donate every 3 months or my levels go out of range. Came close to causing major problems before it was caught several years ago. Wound up being sent to cancer center and tested for lung or bone marrow cancer before finding out it was extreme polycythemia. I learned my lesson the hard way, had a couple of spells that were minor strokes. At least no damage was done. Donate regularly.