OuchThatHurts
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Let me be clear that I'm in no way advocating that an otherwise healthy person donate blood as a form of self-medicating erythrocytosis due to the use of erythropoietic compounds such as Anadrol, Equipoise, EPO, etc (although all AAS have some erythropoietic effect). It requires an entire array of tests to assure that I stay within parameters and quite frankly, healthy. More often than not, a therapeutic phlebotomy is not even warranted or prescribed. But to repeatedly donate blood to lower BP or HCT/Hgb without the corresponding tests for vitamin deficiencies is as hapless as the use/overuse of AAS that caused the condition in the first place.
I do not fall into that category. After my second DVT many years ago, I had a solid bone marrow biopsy taken from the back of my hip indicating enough of a degree of fibrosis to warrant the therapeutic phlebotomy in the prevention or progression of fibrosis into full-blown myelofibrosis which occurs in about 1 in 5 people with polyscythemia (if left untreated). Myelofibrosis is obviously very dangerous. I was certainly not on any AAS at that time. And I have not had any clotting since I began treatment.
Although I am far from a progression into that more severe form, therapeutic phlebotomy under the supervision of a hematologist/oncologist is the only treatment available other than a more dangerous treatment with a myelosuppressive drug with its associated toxicity to prevent the recurrence of blood clots (DVT, for example) by inhibiting primarily red blood cell formation. This is not normally done unless the condition is more progressed.
Since my spleen showed no signs of enlargement, the less radical phlebotomy was prescribed. I learned many years ago that I was simply unable to Vitamin Shoppe my way out of it (on or off the sauce). But I posted this as an oddity that my RBC, WBC, and platelet counts were normal yet my HCT is very high. That was a new one. Those components are usually high also.
Yes @nothuman that's why my doctor is as reluctant as possible to prescribe phlebotomy so you are correct. But let me say that Rex feral (?) is way off. Erythrocytosis secondary to acclimatization to high altitudes is a temporary condition and returns to normal extremely rapidly upon return to sea level. Temporary though it may be, it briefly extremely increases risk of high altitude cardiopulmonary edema, cerebral edema, clotting, stroke. It absolutely poses very real health risks. This is why hydration in acclimatization is so very vital.
@danieltx : An overnight sleep study is scheduled in June. Although I rarely snore, the things I hear from people I know seems like it's definitely worth the test so I'm doing it.
I do not fall into that category. After my second DVT many years ago, I had a solid bone marrow biopsy taken from the back of my hip indicating enough of a degree of fibrosis to warrant the therapeutic phlebotomy in the prevention or progression of fibrosis into full-blown myelofibrosis which occurs in about 1 in 5 people with polyscythemia (if left untreated). Myelofibrosis is obviously very dangerous. I was certainly not on any AAS at that time. And I have not had any clotting since I began treatment.
Although I am far from a progression into that more severe form, therapeutic phlebotomy under the supervision of a hematologist/oncologist is the only treatment available other than a more dangerous treatment with a myelosuppressive drug with its associated toxicity to prevent the recurrence of blood clots (DVT, for example) by inhibiting primarily red blood cell formation. This is not normally done unless the condition is more progressed.
Since my spleen showed no signs of enlargement, the less radical phlebotomy was prescribed. I learned many years ago that I was simply unable to Vitamin Shoppe my way out of it (on or off the sauce). But I posted this as an oddity that my RBC, WBC, and platelet counts were normal yet my HCT is very high. That was a new one. Those components are usually high also.
Yes @nothuman that's why my doctor is as reluctant as possible to prescribe phlebotomy so you are correct. But let me say that Rex feral (?) is way off. Erythrocytosis secondary to acclimatization to high altitudes is a temporary condition and returns to normal extremely rapidly upon return to sea level. Temporary though it may be, it briefly extremely increases risk of high altitude cardiopulmonary edema, cerebral edema, clotting, stroke. It absolutely poses very real health risks. This is why hydration in acclimatization is so very vital.
@danieltx : An overnight sleep study is scheduled in June. Although I rarely snore, the things I hear from people I know seems like it's definitely worth the test so I'm doing it.