Beating High Hematocrit – My Experience with Switching to Propionate

[mrblonde01]

This was a very interesting experiment. After struggling with high hematocrit on enanthate—despite changing injection frequency, switching between subq and IM, and adjusting my dosage—I decided to test daily injections of testosterone propionate. My theory was that a shorter-acting ester would have less time to drive hematocrit up, and it turns out I was right!

For the first time, my hematocrit is back in range without needing blood donations. Interestingly, my ferritin even rebounded to a higher level than before, likely due to stopping donations. Additionally, my estradiol is noticeably lower, which I suspect is due to the lower total aromatization over time with propionate compared to enanthate.

Another difference is that my SHBG remained relatively stable, whereas in the past, enanthate could cause fluctuations. Lipids have remained similar, but I will keep monitoring them.

So, for anyone struggling with high hematocrit on enanthate or cypionate, it might be worth experimenting with propionate to see if it helps. Has anyone else tried a similar approach?

 

[Vince]

I'm so happy for you. It sure is nice not having to donate blood. How long have you been injecting testosterone propionate?

 

[mrblonde01]

I'm so happy for you. It sure is nice not having to donate blood. How long have you been injecting testosterone propionate?

Thanks man! I started in november last year, so about 3 months in total.

 

[Seagal]

This was a very interesting experiment. After struggling with high hematocrit on enanthate—despite changing injection frequency, switching between subq and IM, and adjusting my dosage—I decided to test daily injections of testosterone propionate. My theory was that a shorter-acting ester would have less time to drive hematocrit up, and it turns out I was right!

For the first time, my hematocrit is back in range without needing blood donations. Interestingly, my ferritin even rebounded to a higher level than before, likely due to stopping donations. Additionally, my estradiol is noticeably lower, which I suspect is due to the lower total aromatization over time with propionate compared to enanthate.

Another difference is that my SHBG remained relatively stable, whereas in the past, enanthate could cause fluctuations. Lipids have remained similar, but I will keep monitoring them.

So, for anyone struggling with high hematocrit on enanthate or cypionate, it might be worth experimenting with propionate to see if it helps. Has anyone else tried a similar approach?

View attachment 50279

Hemoglobine stayed relatively stable. Maybe you overestimate the hematocrit reduction with TP.
How are you feeling on TP compared to TE? Do you feel any different with different doses of HCG?
TP 77mg/d, really?

 

[FunkOdyssey]

I also have lower hematocrit with test propionate vs enanthate at comparable dosage (48% with enanthate, 45% with prop, pre-TRT 40%, doses in the 140-175 mg weekly range for both).

I suspect changes in hematocrit are a good proxy for the anabolic effects of testosterone, as test prop is also less anabolic than enanthate at equivalent dosages in my experience.

 

[Seagal]

And estrogen contributes to the hematocrit increase

 

[mrblonde01]

Hemoglobine stayed relatively stable. Maybe you overestimate the hematocrit reduction with TP.
How are you feeling on TP compared to TE? Do you feel any different with different doses of HCG?
TP 77mg/d, really?

Thanks for your reply man. It's 77mg per week, maybe I didn't make that clear enough. I was trying to find a dosage about equal to 100mg of enanthate, 77mg of propionate should be it.

I felt fine on propionate actually, no big differences there. It's always hard for me to judge the subjective side since there are always a lot of other things going on in my life as well. For instance, I just found out that I should not use creatine since it messes up my sleep. I've used that the whole time when I was doing propionate as well.

HCG doses, I don't really notice any difference. Or I'm not able to pinpoint the difference.

And you're right, hemoglobin is stable. It could be that I was also better hydrated this time? If you check the hydration calculation, that makes sense

 

[mrblonde01]

I also have lower hematocrit with test propionate vs enanthate at comparable dosage (48% with enanthate, 45% with prop, pre-TRT 40%, doses in the 140-175 mg weekly range for both).

I suspect changes in hematocrit are a good proxy for the anabolic effects of testosterone, as test prop is also less anabolic than enanthate at equivalent dosages in my experience.

Thanks for your reply, that's interesting. What does "less anabolic" mean exactly in this context?

 

[FunkOdyssey]

Thanks for your reply, that's interesting. What does "less anabolic" mean exactly in this context?

I'm talking about building muscle here. Other things being equal, like training, diet, and doses of testosterone, I put on more muscle faster with enanthate than similar doses (or even slightly higher) of prop.

 

[RotnGun]

Thanks man! I started in november last year, so about 3 months in total.

What time of day do you inject?
Do you inject it sub Q or IM?

 

[mrblonde01]

I'm talking about building muscle here. Other things being equal, like training, diet, and doses of testosterone, I put on more muscle faster with enanthate than similar doses (or even slightly higher) of prop.

That's interesting. So even though you should inject less with propionate to get an equal amount of testosterone (compared to enanthate or cypionate), maybe you should inject more to even out the anabolic potential?

By the way, I am now back to enanthate. EOD injections, IM, 100mg weekly. I still had a vial of enathate here, and I want to make sure that all things being equal, it is the compound raising my hematocrit. Because now I'm also hydrating better, exercising more etc. And maybe my system just got used to testosterone better. We'll see how this goes!

 

[mrblonde01]

What time of day do you inject?
Do you inject it sub Q or IM?

Since I am easily triggered for insomnia, I inject in the morning, IM on that muscle above the buttocks/side of the hips.