Could I get some help on hematocrit questions?

[mhswhite500]

What's up, everyone?

So, I'm 24, 185lbs, 11%BF, and 5'9. I have been off all drugs since July of 2013, and I am getting ready to do my summer cycle. I got my blood work done about a month ago. My estrodiol, test, and other vital functions were "normal" that is, of course, according to my doctor, who is super paranoid. With this guy, if something is off in the slightest bit, he'll assume worst case scenario and prescribe me everything under the sun. Basically, he gave me a clean bill of health.

So, I love to do my research before cycling because I obviously want to be as safe as possible; I read up on Aus' "everything you need to know for the first cycle" article (this is fantastic by the way), and I kept reading about hematocrit. I really only heard of the term a few times. So, I've been researching the hell out it. It's obviously very important. I referred back to my old lab works, and my hematocrit was high as hell! My old lab slips were 52 and 53%. My BP has been an issue in the past, and I am currently on a med. It's now 130/75, which is pretty good, so that's not really an issue now, but my last lab had my hematocrit at 51.4%, and my Dr. didn't really show any concern; however, everything I read on here says it should be well below 50% before cycling.

I keep seeing how donating blood is really the only option to lower the hematocrit. I'm not scared of that, but I would like to get a little more advice here as I'm a little lost.

Thanks

[ppwc1985]

Go give blood every two months, it's healthy also. It will bring it down. 24 and on blood pressure medicine I would seriously rethink cycling at all. It's possible it's because of the high hemocrit, but still crazy when your only 24.

[mhswhite500]

Go give blood every two months, it's healthy also. It will bring it down. 24 and on blood pressure medicine I would seriously rethink cycling at all. It's possible it's because of the high hemocrit, but still crazy when your only 24.

Hey, ppwc, thanks for getting back to me.

Yeah, I know, it's a concern. Hypertension runs in the family, so that doesn't help. I see that donating helps lower too. I was going to give that a shot, but I guess there's some rule saying that one has to wait 12 months after a tattoo until he can donate? I recently just finished my sleeve and entire chest. :/

[Bio-Active]

Go donate blood and get that level down. With your level above 51 you should be able to do a double red blood cell donation every 120 days. It will drop your hematocrit level down and you don't have to donate as often.

[mhswhite500]

Go donate blood and get that level down. With your level above 51 you should be able to do a double red blood cell donation every 120 days. It will drop your hematocrit level down and you don't have to donate as often.

I plan on doing that. I have to find somewhere to do that. I believe I saw Aus post something about how 50 isn't too big of a deal? I mean, correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought I saw that...

[Bio-Active]

I plan on doing that. I have to find somewhere to do that. I believe I saw Aus post something about how 50 isn't too big of a deal? I mean, correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought I saw that...

You are right but you are at that range and you are not on cycle yet right. So it may have been higher on cycle? If it gets up to 54 its dangerous so you are fine at 50 and once you donate your range will be better

[mhswhite500]

You are right but you are at that range and you are not on cycle yet right. So it may have been higher on cycle? If it gets up to 54 its dangerous so you are fine at 50 and once you donate your range will be better

That's what I figured. I'm "okay" now but not on cycle, so I wanted to compensate a little bit. Good point

[RangerDanger830]

High hematocrit causes, or contributes to, high blood pressure. A pint of blood lowers it a few percent, 4ish. Read this for more information..

http://hyper.ahajournals.org/content/20/3/319.full.pdf

[Bio-Active]

High hematocrit causes, or contributes to, high blood pressure. A pint of blood lowers it a few percent, 4ish. Read this for more information..

http://hyper.ahajournals.org/content/20/3/319.full.pdf

Maybe maybe not there are many people that donate a pint of whole blood and it doesn't budge after one donation. A double red blood cell donation is the sure way to knock it down

[RangerDanger830]

Maybe maybe not there are many people that donate a pint of whole blood and it doesn't budge after one donation. A double red blood cell donation is the sure way to knock it down

It will lower, guaranteed. Maybe not four percent, maybe not even two, but it does lower some with each pint.

[mhswhite500]

It will lower, guaranteed. Maybe not four percent, maybe not even two, but it does lower some with each pint.

I've honestly never donated before, but I'm not too concerned. I was planning to start the cycle in about a week and a half. Better get on this...

[Bio-Active]

It will lower, guaranteed. Maybe not four percent, maybe not even two, but it does lower some with each pint.

It's nota guarantee brother I am telling you from personal experience that a whole blood donation one time may not lower it. If it did for you great but I have donated before and had my hematocrit level not budge.

[mhswhite500]

It's nota guarantee brother I am telling you from personal experience that a whole blood donation one time may not lower it. If it did for you great but I have donated before and had my hematocrit level not budge.

I'm going to try and donate tomorrow. From there, do you think it'll be good to go to blast?

[RangerDanger830]

It's nota guarantee brother I am telling you from personal experience that a whole blood donation one time may not lower it. If it did for you great but I have donated before and had my hematocrit level not budge.

I take that back, I am wrong. After reading a little on it I found that the hematocrit formula is 1% hematocrit=1ml of RBC/100ml of blood. So it is directly proportional and lower the volume of blood does not guarantee altering the proportion of RBC in the blood. Hope that clears things up for you too OP, you learn something new every day.