Hematocrit and hemoglobin both high, remedies?

dale338 · Dec 21, 2022

I run around 130 mg a week of Test C for my TRT. Just ran my labs. Total testosterone is 835, so that’s right about where I want to be. I do two times a week doses of about 65 mg. That was three days after my last dose. So I’m probably running around 1000 free test.

However here’s the problem in my labs.

Hematocrit was at 54 and hemoglobin was at 19. Obviously I think I need to get those down? Now I’m on about a 10 day break since I ran the labs and haven’t taken any test. I was thinking just to go cold turkey for three weeks, then retake labs?

Draining off the thick blood is not an option for me right now. So I’ve gotta do it by other methods to get my numbers in range. Any thoughts? Or would it better to maybe just lower my dose to like 70mg’s of T a week for a while?

pickapeck · Dec 22, 2022

if you have sleep apnea or i you smoke both of those will send those values higher. Also cardio helps and so does hydration so drink your water throughout the day.

j4ever · Dec 22, 2022

if you want to lower dose i would try 100mg for awhile then retest and see where you are, but thats me.

Iron Gator · Dec 22, 2022

Quickest way is to donate blood. Longer term, I had success going from dosing twice a week to three times a week. Could be coincidental though.

dale338 · Dec 22, 2022

Well I’ve kind of been doing my own research on this and watched several videos from some experts online on this subject. I found a few things. If you’re on TRT and have been on it for quite a while a higher hematocrit and hemoglobin up to like the mid 50 percentile range is not really considered dangerous amongst many doctors. The reason is your body adjusts and it’s not the same as someone who has these higher levels from like sleep apnea or smoking etc. Your body nitrous oxide levels will adjust. Assuming no other outside health risks, TRT elevated hematocrit and hemoglobin levels typically aren’t dangerous.

Checking your oxygen saturation levels in the morning when you first wake up as a good indicator. If they are in a good range 95% or above upon waking it’s probably nothing to worry about. Donating blood on a regular bases may cause other risks. Even worse.

And there is one study I read online that showed that taking your testosterone sub Q injections on a frequent and steady basis will actually lower your hematocrit and hemoglobin levels. By about 4% on average

szority · Dec 22, 2022

switching to subq injections everyday is the only thig that worked for me. Now my hemoglobin averages 16-17. Also dropping AIs made a big difference for me, but I may just be an outlier

dale338 · Dec 22, 2022

szority said:
switching to subq injections everyday is the only thig that worked for me. Now my hemoglobin averages 16-17. Also dropping AIs made a big difference for me, but I may just be an outlier

I’m gonna stick with twice weekly intramuscular injections but I’m gonna lower my dose down to 70 mg from about 130 mg my total testosterone probably gonna drop between 500 and 600, but I should be able to sustain most of my gains at that level. After six weeks I’m gonna run my labs again and see where I’m at. If it hasn’t dropped below 50/18, Then I’ll try the sub Q daily injections.

01dragonslayer · Dec 22, 2022

If you can donate blood that's the best and easiest way to get numbers in check.

buck · Dec 23, 2022

01dragonslayer said:
If you can donate blood that's the best and easiest way to get numbers in check.

For some reason he says that option is not available.

Performance Based · Dec 23, 2022

I fluctuate between 52 and 58 for my hematocrit year round.

This is intentional between EPO utilization and iron supplementation for increased performance.
Having high hematocrit numbers is not necessarily a problem as long as water and sodium intake are being done properly.

There is a LOT of bro science out there regarding higher numbers turning into an issue. In six years of labs my blood has never had a different viscosity due to high crit/globin levels.

If i cease either iron or EPO supplementation my numbers drop down to 49-52 nearly instantly (one week). You don't need to wait a few weeks to see a palpable difference.

demon · Dec 23, 2022

Like pickapeck mentioned above, sleep apnea and not being well hydrated before your blood draw are a few factors that will elevate it. I drink a gallon of water prior to giving blood. Some things I've found that lower it are cardio and telmisartan. I take 40mg of telmisartan daily which also lowers HCT levels. I'm currently awaiting the results of a at home sleep study since I've been waking up a lot at night. You will get a lot of different opinions on giving blood. I personally give blood every 56 days and never had a problem crashing my ferritin levels which some people have reported.

BabyNewYear · Dec 24, 2022

My Dr said my hematocrit is high and wants me to see some specialist. I also have sleep apnea. Should I be donating blood?

01dragonslayer · Dec 24, 2022

buck said:
For some reason he says that option is not available.

Wow

buck · Dec 24, 2022

BabyNewYear said:
My Dr said my hematocrit is high and wants me to see some specialist. I also have sleep apnea. Should I be donating blood?

If i was you i probably would. And i do myself. Just keep an eye on the labs to see how it goes.

richardbrown · Dec 26, 2022

dale338 said:
I run around 130 mg a week of Test C for my TRT. Just ran my labs. Total testosterone is 835, so that’s right about where I want to be. I do two times a week doses of about 65 mg. That was three days after my last dose. So I’m probably running around 1000 free test.

However here’s the problem in my labs.

Hematocrit was at 54 and hemoglobin was at 19. Obviously I think I need to get those down? Now I’m on about a 10 day break since I ran the labs and haven’t taken any test. I was thinking just to go cold turkey for three weeks, then retake labs?

Draining off the thick blood is not an option for me right now. So I’ve gotta do it by other methods to get my numbers in range. Any thoughts? Or would it better to maybe just lower my dose to like 70mg’s of T a week for a while?

I suggest reducing the dose, if possible, adjust your foods intake

Foods to avoid
· tea and coffee.
· milk and some dairy products.
· foods that contain tannins, such as grapes, corn, and sorghum.
· foods that contain phytates or phytic acid, such as brown rice and whole-grain wheat products.
· foods that contain oxalic acid, such as peanuts, parsley, and chocolate.
I have seen much higher alarming levels; I do not think you’re in that alarming category
But again, safe than sorry.

dale338 · Dec 28, 2022

Another update, reduced T to 35mg weekly after taking two weeks off total time. Stopped the “GH” I was on 16 days ago. WOW! I feel like I’ve “deflated” BP normal again, skin tone less beat red, facial bone structure returning. Still not sure what was causing it, but it was one of the two things.

Been hydrating daily as well. Ran labs yesterday and they just came back T is down to 565 hemotocrit has dropped to 49. I feel better, but kinda flat if that make sense. Less likely to get in a brawl type feeling.

Water retention in my opinion is what caused the elevated BP My readings have been 120/88 or less even when I’m training and working out. Mornings 99/65 ish.

3clipseGT · Dec 28, 2022

Id look into Nattokinase and Dihydroquercetin combined with a small dose (120mgs) of vitamin c. There has been studies where it has reduced hematocrit by a couple points and also allows RBCs to be more pliable.