Peripheral Artery Disease

[supermofo]

Well, I only take 100 mg/wk test cyp through script also, and my hemoglobin slowly builds up over time. Ive not had a phlebotomy in about a year or so and my hemoglobin is up now to a bit over 18. If i dont get one soon, it will continue to rise. Has your level been a slow and steady rise over the course of a year or more? Do you ever get phlebotomies to lower it? I know with me that even just 100 mg/wk testosterone will raise my hemoglobin to high levels if I dont get a phlebotomy.

Before my emergency small intestine resection last year, I donated blood at regular intervals but it's been well over a year. I tried to donate on Tuesday but my hemoglobin was .2 too high. The lady that tested it suggested doing a "double red" donation when I told her that my hematocrit was also very elevated, claiming it would lower it about double what a standard blood donation would. Hopefully she's right and hopefully I can get my hemoglobin down in range so I can donate...

 

[supermofo]

I'll try to find out who to see in my area. I really appreciate all the information that you share! Thank you very much

If you have not already, you should see a hematologist. I did and hes the one that watches my blood clot disorder and has me on coumadin. He also watches my hemoglobin and gives me the phlebotomies. He took a bone marrow biopsy from my hip to make sure there wasnt something serious wrong with me to cause my hemoglobin to build up so fast. He found nothing thankfully. You might want to get that done to rule those things out.

 

[maldorf]

Before my emergency small intestine resection last year, I donated blood at regular intervals but it's been well over a year. I tried to donate on Tuesday but my hemoglobin was .2 too high. The lady that tested it suggested doing a "double red" donation when I told her that my hematocrit was also very elevated, claiming it would lower it about double what a standard blood donation would. Hopefully she's right and hopefully I can get my hemoglobin down in range so I can donate...

You need what they call a "therapeutic phlebotomy". Your doctor can order one. They just throw out the blood. It sounds like yours just built up real slow like mine did, seeing that youve not had one in over a year. I may be up to 19 now, not sure. I find out in 3 weeks. I didnt do a phlebotomy a couple of times because I had either just finished heart surgery or was going into one. Deemed a bit risky. So mine has built up too.

 

[supermofo]

You need what they call a "therapeutic phlebotomy". Your doctor can order one. They just throw out the blood. It sounds like yours just built up real slow like mine did, seeing that youve not had one in over a year. I may be up to 19 now, not sure. I find out in 3 weeks. I didnt do a phlebotomy a couple of times because I had either just finished heart surgery or was going into one. Deemed a bit risky. So mine has built up too.

I've got a follow up appt with my PCP next week. I'll ask her then about getting the therapeutic phlebotomy. Thank you for the suggestions. I've had 3 back surgeries and 2 abdominal surgeries in the past 4 years so I had to skip a few blood donations here and there but this is the first time that it's been more than a year... It sucks getting old but I guess at least that means we're still alive. Lol

 

[danieltx]

A few of us keep saying this on here but nobody listens - donating blood to manage hematocrit is a risky game as it can lead to hematocrit rebounds while at the same time depleting iron. High hematocrit when other blood markers are good is not an issue.

I get that your situation may be different since you say you've felt off since your surgery and seeing a specialist to rule out other causes is likely your best route. But in general, we need to kill the idea of donating blood to manage hematocrit. Some guys just have higher levels and it's not a concern when other markers are in line.

Also - two common causes of high hematocrit are dehydration and untreated sleep apnea. If you suspect either of those you really should get them taken care of and retest.

 

[Dipp20]

I again highly suggest you take Telmisartan. It does lower hct, hemoglobin and slightly improves lipids. Its like a miracle drug for TRT side effects.

Comparative effect of angiotensin II type I receptor blockers and calcium channel blockers on laboratory parameters in hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes

Both angiotensin II type I receptor blockers (ARBs) and calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are widely used antihypertensive drugs. Many clinical studies have demonstrated and compared the organ-protection effects and adverse events of these drugs. However, ...

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

 

[pesty4077]

I'm not on any prescribed blood thinners but have been taking an aspirin nightly for almost 20 years just to help with this.

Aspirin is not enough if you are prone to blood clots. You can add Nattikonese twice a day too.

 

[supermofo]

Aspirin is not enough if you are prone to blood clots. You can add Nattikonese twice a day too.

I'll get some ordered today. It can't hurt to add it in. Thank you!

 

[supermofo]

A few of us keep saying this on here but nobody listens - donating blood to manage hematocrit is a risky game as it can lead to hematocrit rebounds while at the same time depleting iron. High hematocrit when other blood markers are good is not an issue.

I get that your situation may be different since you say you've felt off since your surgery and seeing a specialist to rule out other causes is likely your best route. But in general, we need to kill the idea of donating blood to manage hematocrit. Some guys just have higher levels and it's not a concern when other markers are in line.

Also - two common causes of high hematocrit are dehydration and untreated sleep apnea. If you suspect either of those you really should get them taken care of and retest.

I have sleep apnea and have used a BIPAP machine for it for several years now. I'm aware of the rebound effect of donating blood but it kept my hematocrit under 54% in the past without issue and that's back when I would cycle a few times a year. It's never been almost 60 like it is now on only TRT.

 

[supermofo]

I again highly suggest you take Telmisartan. It does lower hct, hemoglobin and slightly improves lipids. Its like a miracle drug for TRT side effects.

Comparative effect of angiotensin II type I receptor blockers and calcium channel blockers on laboratory parameters in hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes

Both angiotensin II type I receptor blockers (ARBs) and calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are widely used antihypertensive drugs. Many clinical studies have demonstrated and compared the organ-protection effects and adverse events of these drugs. However, ...

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

I switched to it the last time you suggested it to me a few weeks ago. I had been on 40mg/night for about 12 days before my blood was drawn. I just bumped up to the whole 80mg tablet 2 nights ago. Hopefully it'll help too.

 

[supermofo]

Aspirin is not enough if you are prone to blood clots. You can add Nattikonese twice a day too.

Oh, one more thing. No blood clotting issues ever and I've had quite a few surgeries where it could've been a concern but my hematocrit was always in the low to mid fifties...

 

[maldorf]

Oh, one more thing. No blood clotting issues ever and I've had quite a few surgeries where it could've been a concern but my hematocrit was always in the low to mid fifties...

Wonder what your platelet count is. Mine's usually on the low side, so that helps some I think.

 

[Dipp20]

I switched to it the last time you suggested it to me a few weeks ago. I had been on 40mg/night for about 12 days before my blood was drawn. I just bumped up to the whole 80mg tablet 2 nights ago. Hopefully it'll help too.

Oh well, my bad. Sorry.
From my experience 40mg didnt do much hct and hemoglobin wise, but 80mg have a small effect. But for some the exogenous testosterone will still slowly increase it over time no matter what they try.

 

[supermofo]

Platelets 235 x10^3/mcL

 

[supermofo]

Wonder what your platelet count is. Mine's usually on the low side, so that helps some I think.

235 x10^3/mcL

 

[maldorf]

Platelets 235 x10^3/mcL

Ok, that's normal. Mine is usually about 1/2 that. Doesn't concern my hematologist.

 

[supermofo]

​

• Sodium Level
  138.0 mmol/L
  Sodium Level
  Date:Oct 22, 2021 10:54 a.m. CDT
  Reference Range:137.0 mmol/L - 145.0 mmol/L
  
  
• Potassium Level
  4.2 mmol/L
  Potassium Level
  Date:Oct 22, 2021 10:54 a.m. CDT
  Reference Range:3.6 mmol/L - 5.0 mmol/L
  
  
• Chloride Level
  101.0 mmol/L
  Chloride Level
  Date:Oct 22, 2021 10:54 a.m. CDT
  Reference Range:98.0 mmol/L - 107.0 mmol/L
  
  
• CO2
  29.0 mmol/L
  CO2
  Date:Oct 22, 2021 10:54 a.m. CDT
  Reference Range:22.0 mmol/L - 30.0 mmol/L
  
  
• Anion Gap
  12.2 mmol/L
  Anion Gap
  Date:Oct 22, 2021 10:54 a.m. CDT
  Reference Range:10.0 mmol/L - 20.0 mmol/L
  
  
• Glucose Level
  104.0 mg/dL
  Glucose Level
  Date:Oct 22, 2021 10:54 a.m. CDT
  Reference Range:74.0 mg/dL - 106.0 mg/dL
  
  
• BUN
  14.0 mg/dL
  BUN
  Date:Oct 22, 2021 10:54 a.m. CDT
  Reference Range:9.0 mg/dL - 20.0 mg/dL
  
  
• Creatinine Level
  1.1 mg/dL
  Creatinine Level
  Date:Oct 22, 2021 10:54 a.m. CDT
  Reference Range:0.8 mg/dL - 1.5 mg/dL
  
  
• GFR AA
  96
  GFR AA
  Date:Oct 22, 2021 10:54 a.m. CDT
  
  
  
• GFR Non AA
  80
  GFR Non AA
  Date:Oct 22, 2021 10:54 a.m. CDT
  
  
  
• Calcium Level
  9.7 mg/dL
  Calcium Level
  Date:Oct 22, 2021 10:54 a.m. CDT
  Reference Range:8.4 mg/dL - 10.2 mg/dL
  
  
• Bili Total
  0.7 mg/dL
  Bili Total
  Date:Oct 22, 2021 10:54 a.m. CDT
  Reference Range:0.2 mg/dL - 1.3 mg/dL
  
  
• Alk Phos
  63.0 kunits/L
  Alk Phos
  Date:Oct 22, 2021 10:54 a.m. CDT
  Reference Range:38.0 kunits/L - 126.0 kunits/L
  
  
• AST
  67.0 kunits/L
  AST
  Date:Oct 22, 2021 10:54 a.m. CDT
  Reference Range:17.0 kunits/L - 59.0 kunits/L
  
  
• ALT
  86.0 unit/L
  ALT
  Date:Oct 22, 2021 10:54 a.m. CDT
  Reference Range:0.0 unit/L - 49.0 unit/L
  
  
• Protein Total
  7.5 g/dL (%)
  Protein Total
  Date:Oct 22, 2021 10:54 a.m. CDT
  Reference Range:6.3 g/dL (%) - 8.2 g/dL (%)
  
  
• Albumin Level
  4.5 g/dL (%)
  Albumin Level
  Date:Oct 22, 2021 10:54 a.m. CDT
  Reference Range:3.5 g/dL (%) - 5.0 g/dL (%)
  
  
• C-Reactive Protein Ultra Sensitive
  1.0 mg/L
  C-Reactive Protein Ultra Sensitive
  Date:Oct 22, 2021 10:54 a.m. CDT
  Reference Range:0.0 mg/L - 5.0 mg/L

• Cholesterol
  254.0 mg/dL
  Cholesterol
  Date:Oct 22, 2021 10:54 a.m. CDT
  Reference Range:0.0 mg/dL - 200.0 mg/dL
  
  
• HDL
  35.0 mg/dL
  HDL
  Date:Oct 22, 2021 10:54 a.m. CDT
  Reference Range:40.0 mg/dL - 60.0 mg/dL
  
  
• LDL
  187.2 mg/dL
  LDL
  Date:Oct 22, 2021 10:54 a.m. CDT
  Reference Range:0.0 mg/dL - 100.0 mg/dL
  
  
• Triglyceride
  159.0 mg/dL
  Triglyceride
  Date:Oct 22, 2021 10:54 a.m. CDT
  Reference Range:0.0 mg/dL - 150.0 mg/dL
  

• TSH
  1.89 mIU/mL
  TSH
  Date:Oct 22, 2021 10:54 a.m. CDT
  Reference Range:0.46 mIU/mL - 4.68 mIU/mL

• WBC
  7.2 x10^3/mcL
  WBC
  Date:Oct 22, 2021 10:54 a.m. CDT
  Reference Range:4.0 x10^3/mcL - 11.0 x10^3/mcL
  
  
• RBC
  6.43 x10^6/mcL
  RBC
  Date:Oct 22, 2021 10:54 a.m. CDT
  Reference Range:4.40 x10^6/mcL - 6.30 x10^6/mcL
  
  
• Hgb
  19.0 g/dL (%)
  Hgb
  Date:Oct 22, 2021 10:54 a.m. CDT
  Reference Range:14.0 g/dL (%) - 18.0 g/dL (%)
  
  
• Hct
  59.9 %
  Hct
  Date:Oct 22, 2021 10:54 a.m. CDT
  Reference Range:41.0 % - 51.0 %
  
  
• MCV
  93.2 fL
  MCV
  Date:Oct 22, 2021 10:54 a.m. CDT
  Reference Range:80.0 fL - 97.0 fL
  
  
• MCH
  29.6 pg
  MCH
  Date:Oct 22, 2021 10:54 a.m. CDT
  Reference Range:26.0 pg - 32.0 pg
  
  
• MCHC
  31.8 g/dL (%)
  MCHC
  Date:Oct 22, 2021 10:54 a.m. CDT
  Reference Range:31.0 g/dL (%) - 36.0 g/dL (%)
  
  
• RDW
  14.1 %
  RDW
  Date:Oct 22, 2021 10:54 a.m. CDT
  Reference Range:11.5 % - 14.5 %
  
  
• Platelet
  235 x10^3/mcL
  Platelet
  Date:Oct 22, 2021 10:54 a.m. CDT
  Reference Range:140 x10^3/mcL - 440 x10^3/mcL
  
  
• MPV
  7
  MPV
  Date:Oct 22, 2021 10:54 a.m. CDT
  
  

​

 

[supermofo]

​

• Prolactin, Serum
  18.1 ng/mL
  Prolactin, Serum
  Date:Oct 22, 2021 10:54 a.m. CDT
  Reference Range:3.7 ng/mL - 17.9 ng/mL
  
  
• PSA Screen
  1.220 ng/mL
  PSA Screen
  Date:Oct 22, 2021 10:54 a.m. CDT
  Reference Range:0.000 ng/mL - 4.000 ng/mL
  
  
• Estradiol Lvl
  85.28 pg/dL
  Estradiol Lvl
  Date:Oct 22, 2021 10:54 a.m. CDT
  
  
  
• Dihydrotestosterone, S MAYO
  511 pg/mL
  Dihydrotestosterone, S MAYO
  Date:Oct 22, 2021 10:54 a.m. CDT
  Reference Range:112-955
  

• MPV
  7
  MPV
  Date:Oct 22, 2021 10:54 a.m. CDT
  

• Auto Lymph %
  33.8 %
  Auto Lymph %
  Date:Oct 22, 2021 10:54 a.m. CDT
  Reference Range:16.0 % - 48.0 %
  
  
• Auto Neutrophil %
  49.0 %
  Auto Neutrophil %
  Date:Oct 22, 2021 10:54 a.m. CDT
  Reference Range:42.0 % - 78.0 %
  
  
• Auto Monocyte %
  13.4 %
  Auto Monocyte %
  Date:Oct 22, 2021 10:54 a.m. CDT
  Reference Range:0.0 % - 10.0 %
  
  
• Auto Eosinophil %
  2.36 %
  Auto Eosinophil %
  Date:Oct 22, 2021 10:54 a.m. CDT
  Reference Range:0.00 % - 4.80 %
  
  
• Auto Basophil %
  1.5 %
  Auto Basophil %
  Date:Oct 22, 2021 10:54 a.m. CDT
  Reference Range:0.0 % - 2.0 %
  
  
• Lymph Abs#
  2.43 x10^3/mcL
  Lymph Abs#
  Date:Oct 22, 2021 10:54 a.m. CDT
  Reference Range:0.64 x10^3/mcL - 5.28 x10^3/mcL
  
  
• Neutrophil Abs#
  3.52 x10^3/mcL
  Neutrophil Abs#
  Date:Oct 22, 2021 10:54 a.m. CDT
  Reference Range:1.68 x10^3/mcL - 8.58 x10^3/mcL
  
  
• Monocyte Abs#
  0.96 x10^3/mcL
  Monocyte Abs#
  Date:Oct 22, 2021 10:54 a.m. CDT
  Reference Range:0.00 x10^3/mcL - 1.10 x10^3/mcL
  
  
• Eosinophil Abs#
  0.17 x10^3/mcL
  Eosinophil Abs#
  Date:Oct 22, 2021 10:54 a.m. CDT
  Reference Range:0.00 x10^3/mcL - 0.55 x10^3/mcL
  
  
• Basophil Abs#
  0.11 x10^3/mcL
  Basophil Abs#
  Date:Oct 22, 2021 10:54 a.m. CDT
  Reference Range:0.00 x10^3/mcL - 0.22 x10^3/mcL
  

 

[supermofo]

I'm still waiting on a few more results. I'll post them when they're available.

 

[supermofo]

My PCP called in a script for Vytorin 10/20 today even after I've told her over and over that the 3 other statins that she has tried me on in the past caused me shitty painful side effects. I asked to try starting only with Zetia but she insists on the the Vytorin. Do any of you take it or have any experience with it?