Curcumin to Lower Hematocrit ?

[maxadvance]

Saw the thread a few weeks back regarding a cancer patient that took curcumin to relieve his arthritis while undergoing chemo. His hemoglobin dropped a few points in a short period. So being the lab rat that I am, and having some pretty juicy hct numbers, I had to see for myself.

Let me start by saying naringin and/or grapefruit doesn't do jack for me.

Red Cross turned me away in October because my hemo with a pin prick showed 20.2. A few days later, after thoroughly hydrating myself I came back an it showed 20.3. Damn, now I'm worried, it's never been that high, but I had neglected to go for a donation for the past 7-8 months. I reap what I sow, so I immediately got some labs done.

on 11/19/19 my labs read:

HCT @ 56.3
Hemoglobin @ 19

So take note, the blood from your extremities like your fingers may be thicker than the rest of your body.

After gobbling grapefruit/naringin powder/ grapefruit seed extract for the next month I retook my bloods.
On 1/16/20 my lab read:

HCT @ 56.6
well shit

Then i read that post about the cancer patient. He was taking 3 grams of curcumin per day, no idea if it was with BioPerine because they didn't say. Important because curcumin doesn't make it past your gut efficiently without out it. I also read some people can take up to 12 grams per day without adverse effects, except maybe some digestive issues in the beginning.

So for the past couple weeks I've taken 3 grams a day of Jarrow curcumin 95 with a separate pill of Bioperine each time, either 1 gram 3 times a day or 1.5 grams morning and night. And the result?

HCT @ 54.5
Hemo @ 18.3

Guess where I'm going tomorrow?

 

[SkyWarn]

Wow! Very impressive. Any sides? Sounds like you may not need to donate if this continues to work.
Im going to try.

 

[SkyWarn]

According to this curcumin binds to iron in the gut and causes iron deficiency anemia with corresponding drops in RBC and hemoglobins. That explains your results.
With my extremely low ferritin I have to rethink.
Iron Deficiency Anemia Due to High-dose Turmeric

 

[maxadvance]

Some stomach issues the first few days, other than that not really. Once I get the hct to about 52 Ill probably do 1.5 grams a day

 

[SkyWarn]

Some stomach issues the first few days, other than that not really. Once I get the hct to about 52 Ill probably do 1.5 grams a day

How are your ferritin and iron levels?

 

[maxadvance]

not sure, only time i had ferritin checked was a couple years ago and it was in the upper normal range. My RBC is 5.86, last month it was 6.02. Not sure if that helps, both are above normal range.

 

[Ripped one]

I am not able to give blood because I had Hep C in the past. It's really frustrating. I thought of trying to remove blood myself, and I tried, but I was not successful yet. If I knew how to go about it, I would. Wish there was a solution to this problem. If anyone has any suggestions, please help. Thanks

 

[maxadvance]

I am not able to give blood because I had Hep C in the past. It's really frustrating. I thought of trying to remove blood myself, and I tried, but I was not successful yet. If I knew how to go about it, I would. Wish there was a solution to this problem. If anyone has any suggestions, please help. Thanks

Well first you can try to take curcumin of at least 3 grams a day like I suggested here in this thread. If not, get a script from a doctor for a therapeutic phlebotomy. Defy would do this if you're their patient. Likely any other T doc would as well. Find a blood bank in your area that will perform them. I have one near me called Lifestream that will do a phlebotomy for free if you have secondary polycythemia due to testosterone therapy.

 

[TorontoTRT]

That change is highly unlikely from curcumin. 2 point change can be from anything. I can fluctuate 3 points day to day for no reason. Just keep an eye on it. It seems testosterone has a limit. I’ve never seen it go higher then 56 hct or 19 hg. It will stabilize. Also some think high hct and high hg should not be treated if you have no symptoms. As long as platelets are normal. Some guys have lots of side effects at 51 hct. Other like me have never had a side effect even with hct at 56. My blood pressure averaged 100/67.

 

[ed031561]

I go to a blood specialist to keep an eye on my levels as they do rise. Blood donations became a problem because if you are slightly higher than normal they won't let you donate. The doctor will give a phlebotomy when needed. I have also drained myself, although not for the weak of heart.
You can purchase evacuated pint containers online. This is the better way to do it. You can also purchase the small butterfly type needles with the tubing. The evacuated container draws the blood into it making it much easier than gravity feed.

 

[Gman86]

I started to use turmeric for its anti inflammatory benefits, but then read about it inhibiting Mtor, so I stopped. Mtor is important for muscle building.

Not trying to deter anyone from using it, just an fyi.

 

[Tacamo]

I started taking it for an inflamed shoulder & I'm on TRT. Had been having symptoms of a high Hematcrit. About a couple of weeks symptoms of high HCT went away. I stopped taking it & now they are back. Not crazy high, but 52.6, but everyone is different. Donated blood just to be safe. My body must not like anything over 50. I'm definitely staying on it for good. I wish they would do more human trials for TRT. Hell I'd volunteer. Because I just changed clinics & all they check is testosterone levels & nothing else. Some doctors don't need to treat patients there's more to it than just getting the levels in that Goldie lock zone.

 

[Systemlord]

I started taking it for an inflamed shoulder & I'm on TRT. Had been having symptoms of a high Hematcrit. About a couple of weeks symptoms of high HCT went away. I stopped taking it & now they are back. Not crazy high, but 52.6, but everyone is different. Donated blood just to be safe. My body must not like anything over 50. I'm definitely staying on it for good. I wish they would do more human trials for TRT. Hell I'd volunteer. Because I just changed clinics & all they check is testosterone levels & nothing else. Some doctors don't need to treat patients there's more to it than just getting the levels in that Goldie lock zone.

It would be interesting to see a before and after HCT levels after using curcumin. Without testing, you’re guessing.

As far as everyone being different, some people have narrowing of the arteries, plaque buildup, and some people don’t. This is where higher HCT can be problematic.

My point is usually there are many factors at play, we see only the smaller picture and draw conclusions based on very limited, often guesswork what’s actually cause our symptoms.