Hematocrit testing

[Jayyyyyeeeeez]

Anyone here have a solid recommendation for a good at-home HCT testing kit? I get checked by my doctor every quarter, but I’m looking to get a home kit so I can monitor it more frequently.

 

[trackstar19]

You can order your own cbc thru quest labs for cheap (probably like $20?) I’d just do that

 

[Jayyyyyeeeeez]

You can order your own cbc thru quest labs for cheap (probably like $20?) I’d just do that

Also with blood draw fee and driving there -I would rather do it at home

 

[Stewie]

You can either buy one off Amazon or any online medical supply stores.

 

[warlock]

You can either buy one off Amazon or any online medical supply stores.

How accurate are they?

 

[Stewie]

How accurate are they?

That I dunno? Suppose one could go through different reviews or compare it to one at a Red Cross– blood donation center if one was there donating for humanity.

If it's not accurate, send it back.

 

[Jayyyyyeeeeez]

You can either buy one off Amazon or any online medical supply stores.

Thanks bro. I saw a few on Amazon but not a lot of reviews

 

[STIHL]

I routinely donate blood for obvious reasons but they also check that beforehand. It’s free and accurate.

 

[Son_of_Seamus]

If you are looking for accurate at home testing, get a HemoCue device. They are expensive and regulated but you can buy them off Ebay and some random retailers. The hospitals I frequent for blood donation use them. Red Cross now uses a bloodless test. I have found other home hemoglobin meters to be inaccurate. I currently have a Lysun BHM-101. I can get to the correct reading, but I need to take several samples and go with the mode value. I fmy Hematocrit problems persist Im getting a HemoCue. If you buy a meter, make sure you are using it correctly. There is a protocol to getting your sample.

 

[Jayyyyyeeeeez]

If you are looking for accurate at home testing, get a HemoCue device. They are expensive and regulated but you can buy them off Ebay and some random retailers. The hospitals I frequent for blood donation use them. Red Cross now uses a bloodless test. I have found other home hemoglobin meters to be inaccurate. I currently have a Lysun BHM-101. I can get to the correct reading, but I need to take several samples and go with the mode value. I fmy Hematocrit problems persist Im getting a HemoCue. If you buy a meter, make sure you are using it correctly. There is a protocol to getting your sample.

Nice I’ll look into this

 

[JAG]

FYI, HemoCue is an option but notoriously off up 20% off. We actually stopped using it at my clinic and just do CBC . Most Red Cross locations stopped using Hemocue and now use OrSense machines (prickless) that have only a 5% variation.

 

[Son_of_Seamus]

FYI, HemoCue is an option but notoriously off up 20% off. We actually stopped using it at my clinic and just do CBC . Most Red Cross locations stopped using Hemocue and now use OrSense machines (prickless) that have only a 5% variation.

Thank you for the insight. Might save me some money. Increasingly I think only a cbc is accurate. I get bloods with a Hemo of 19.4. I go to make a power red donation the next day at RC and their Orsense reads 16.4. Both measurements taken at the same time of day with equivalent hydration. Would love to just disregard my high hematocrit but I get symptomatic above maybe 57. Doesn’t feel benign and I always feel better having shed the extra rbc’s.

 

[Jayyyyyeeeeez]

FYI, HemoCue is an option but notoriously off up 20% off. We actually stopped using it at my clinic and just do CBC . Most Red Cross locations stopped using Hemocue and now use OrSense machines (prickless) that have only a 5% variation.

I was able to order hemocue off eBay for a lot cheaper. Thanks again bro!

 

[EFShadow]

Thank you for the insight. Might save me some money. Increasingly I think only a cbc is accurate. I get bloods with a Hemo of 19.4. I go to make a power red donation the next day at RC and their Orsense reads 16.4. Both measurements taken at the same time of day with equivalent hydration. Would love to just disregard my high hematocrit but I get symptomatic above maybe 57. Doesn’t feel benign and I always feel better having shed the extra rbc’s.

With power red donations, are you tracking iron and ferritin and the other “iron” markers?

 

[iron lifter]

Go to a blood donation clinic. Before they donate, they will tell you your hemoglobin divide that by 10 and than times by 3 is what your HCT should be roughly. You can always opt out after finding out your numbers.

so lets say its 180, that would be 180/10 *x3 roughly 54.

 

[Son_of_Seamus]

With power red donations, are you tracking iron and ferritin and the other “iron” markers?

Ferritin yes, anything else iron related no. I have seen ferritin drop in response to whole blood donations but power red no.

 

[bigjay77]

The red cross checks mine before I give. I use labcorp in my area a few times a year. I wait for the facial flushing or some other symptom, check blood and then donate if I have to. I tried the at home versions they varied widely over minutes.

 

[Jayyyyyeeeeez]

Go to a blood donation clinic. Before they donate, they will tell you your hemoglobin divide that by 10 and than times by 3 is what your HCT should be roughly. You can always opt out after finding out your numbers.

so lets say its 180, that would be 180/10 *x3 roughly 54.

I won’t be able to donate for awhile. My iron panels are very low. But my ferritin is decent. I don’t want to risk feeling like shit for the next couple of months