Ok off test C, onto gel. Went from .5ML wk to 2g of gel a day... Bloods inside

[vbguy]

Ok to make a long story short, my Dr. switched me from test C (1ML 2 wk, but I switched to .5ML wk) because my red blood count was super high. He said the the Gel should make that better. Anyway my question is, and this may be in my mind, but I've always had anxiety issues, and it seems like since I've started this gel, I'm not sure if thats throwing everything out of whack.....but my anxiety has been KICKING!!! I don't know if its all in my head or what. But anyway.... is what it is, but my question is how does my new dosage compare to the .5ml that I was getting weekly? When I got the bloods taken I was 6 days from my last shot. This what the only test results I got back. I asked if he was going to check my E2 and he said no and he usually don't do that. This is a Endo DR also and not a GP. I know you guys don't like gels, but I don't have any options right now as this is what is on my plate, do I'm working with the hand I'm currently dealt.

Oh and before I started test.... I was 31 years old, having some symptoms of low t, got tested came back at 306. As you see, I'm in the 600's now after my 6 month check up.

Having trouble hosting. I don't know why they are coming up sideways. But you should be able to click on the picture and it comes up normal size and right side up. Sorry, I don't know how to fix.

[Simon1972]

Typically test c dose ends up being 70% of your injected amount. Eg 100 mg of test C or E for that matter will be 70 mg of actual testosterone due to the cypionate or ethanthate ester.

Creams/gels if used correctly will end up entering your blood stream at 10% of applied dose. Eg 100mg a day equates to 10mg of actual testosterone per day.

So 100 test c a week is roughly equivalent to 100 mg applied via gels per day.

Although skin applied test converts to dht more readily, which is really androgenic, might be the cause of your anxiety.....maybe

[kelkel]

WTF, why would a doctor not check your E2? Just that statement alone should make you want to find a different doctor. Title doesn't matter just that they know hormones. Did he hopefully advise you to give blood asap? Do so immediately as your HCT is way high. Do some research on polycythemia as it can cause anxiety. You may get turned down at a donor location. If so, request a script for a therapeutic draw from your doctor. If you are accepted I'd suggest a double red cell donation.

[vbguy]

Typically test c dose ends up being 70% of your injected amount. Eg 100 mg of test C or E for that matter will be 70 mg of actual testosterone due to the cypionate or ethanthate ester.

Creams/gels if used correctly will end up entering your blood stream at 10% of applied dose. Eg 100mg a day equates to 10mg of actual testosterone per day.

So 100 test c a week is roughly equivalent to 100 mg applied via gels per day.

Although skin applied test converts to dht more readily, which is really androgenic, might be the cause of your anxiety.....maybe

Thank you very much for the info! I hope my body will get use to it being I just started it. You think this may be something that will get better with time?

WTF, why would a doctor not check your E2? Just that statement alone should make you want to find a different doctor. Title doesn't matter just that they know hormones. Did he hopefully advise you to give blood asap? Do so immediately as your HCT is way high. Do some research on polycythemia as it can cause anxiety. You may get turned down at a donor location. If so, request a script for a therapeutic draw from your doctor. If you are accepted I'd suggest a double red cell donation.

Its funny you say that. I suggested that we check my E2's and he said, we don't need to worry about that. And from experience's in the past, I didn't want to say "well I read on the internet that the higher BF people like myself have their test turn into higher levels of E2 so I'd like to get it checked". Last time I did that, they looked at me like why are you here then if you have the internet( I seriously got that look), and then I got the "I'm a certified DR." speech. I agree 100%. Thing is lol(even tho its not really funny), even tho my red blood counts are way high, he was like "see you back in 6 months"! I thinking to myself, don't you want to monitor my red blood count now that you know its super high...? Or will we sort that out 6 months from now...?



Thing is, I guess question is............. my concern over my red blood count being high.... I mean should I wait another week or so and then go to my regular Dr(not the one prescribing the test), ask for a blood test, and see if my RBC levels have come down...? Or is it so high where I should be seriously concerned and drop what I'm doing and run to the red cross haha? I'm young (31) and don't know if that matters or not? I mean clearly its out of "normal" range, but is it at "oh shit we should be concerned" range? I have no idea myself.

[vbguy]

Update: Went to the red cross today to donate and hemoglobin came back at 19.7 per the test at Red Cross, highest yet! I made sure I had plenty of fluids before I went in too. Crazy....anyway.... I called my GP Dr. and he told me to call my Endo Dr tomorrow and tell him how high it was being the Endo was the Dr. who prescribed me the test. But all in all, I gave blood. Just feeling like a dead end at this point and thinking I'g going to have to go off TRT if I can't get this problem in check. I tried doing double red's, but they didn't have any way to test my blood type(strange I know), and said you can only do the double if you are a certain blood type and being they weren't sure, I didn't do it. :/

[kelkel]

A 19.7 hemoglobin level equates to a 59.1 Hematocrit level. Assuming a normal blood draw will drop you arguably 3 points I'd try to find a way to give again very soon. Ask for that script! In the meantime stay hydrated, avoid alcohol and coffee and it for some reason you're taking an iron supplement, STOP.

And your doc sound clueless about your health, at least when it comes to testosterone and RBC's. Find another one asap. Your health is important.

[almostgone]

Update: Went to the red cross today to donate and hemoglobin came back at 19.7 per the test at Red Cross, highest yet! I made sure I had plenty of fluids before I went in too. Crazy....anyway.... I called my GP Dr. and he told me to call my Endo Dr tomorrow and tell him how high it was being the Endo was the Dr. who prescribed me the test. But all in all, I gave blood. Just feeling like a dead end at this point and thinking I'g going to have to go off TRT if I can't get this problem in check. I tried doing double red's, but they didn't have any way to test my blood type(strange I know), and said you can only do the double if you are a certain blood type and being they weren't sure, I didn't do it. :/

I'm O positive, and donate double reds frequently. They should be able to tell you your blood type @ your next donation.
Was your hematocrit high pre-TRT? I've always run high and have to stay on top of my hematocrit level. There are some of us that pull a CBC on our own and self-phlebotomize in order to stay in range.

[almostgone]

A 19.7 hemoglobin level equates to a 59.1 Hematocrit level. Assuming a normal blood draw will drop you arguably 3 points I'd try to find a way to give again very soon. Ask for that script! In the meantime stay hydrated, avoid alcohol and coffee and it for some reason you're taking an iron supplement, STOP.

And your doc sound clueless about your health, at least when it comes to testosterone and RBC's. Find another one asap. Your health is important.

Kel is right about the 3:1 ration of hematocrit to hemoglobin. It isn't as exact as having your blood spun out to seperate the RBC, but for me the 3:1 rule generally gets me within a percent or two of actual hematocrit value.
If you have issues with getting a script for a therapeutic draw, look on YouTube using the search terms self bleeding. One of our members did a really nice video on self bleeding. It may give you some relief until you find a more suitable Dr.
Best of luck. I know how frustrating it can be to keep your hematocrit levels in check. If you ever do decide to run a cycle, self bleeding may be a part of your routine. I recently did a 4 week very conservative blast and had to self phlebotomize in between donatiins.

Good luck!

[vbguy]

Right on. I appreciate all of the help. I will keep you guys posted.