HCT and HGB

[Pringle]

Guy’s, I am looking for a little insight from those that have Rising HCT and HGB due to trt. Subsequently, as many, I am taking my Ferritin too low with frequent Phlebotomy. I have seen mine somewhat start to stabilize over the past year, but still over range 30 - 60 days after phlebotomy. I have experimented for 3 months without a phlebotomy and my HCT raised only from 48.6 to 51.5....not significant in my opinion, but my Hemo Doc likes it <48. My HGB in the same period went from 16.4 to 17.9.....a little high also for his liking. For you that do frequent phlebotomies, what are your HCT and HGB parameters that trigger your frequency?
Thanks!

 

[Vince]

The first two years of trt I donated blood every 8 weeks, then finally mine HCT stabilized. I haven't had to donate blood for almost a year-and-a-half now, no matter how high I let my testosterone go. It stays under 48.

 

[Pringle]

The first two years of trt I donated blood every 8 weeks, then finally mine HCT stabilized. I haven't had to donate blood for almost a year-and-a-half now, no matter how high I let my testosterone go. It stays under 48.

I am about a year into my swap over to injections. I Hope I see the same result. When you were doing them, Did you have a high mark where you would do a Phlebotomy? Trying to figure out the balance between max Levels without tanking Ferritin, or causing subsequent issues.
Thanks

 

[Vince]

I am about a year into my swap over to injections. I Hope I see the same result. When you were doing them, Did you have a high mark where you would do a Phlebotomy? Trying to figure out the balance between max Levels without tanking Ferritin, or causing subsequent issues.
Thanks

To completely honest with you I just donated every 8 weeks, it kept my HCT under 50. I'm so happy that I no longer have to donate blood, I dread the thought of ever doing it again. The blood center keeps calling me and I just ignore the calls.

 

[FeelingLost]

Guy's, I am looking for a little insight from those that have Rising HCT and HGB due to trt. Subsequently, as many, I am taking my Ferritin too low with frequent Phlebotomy. I have seen mine somewhat start to stabilize over the past year, but still over range 30 - 60 days after phlebotomy. I have experimented for 3 months without a phlebotomy and my HCT raised only from 48.6 to 51.5....not significant in my opinion, but my Hemo Doc likes it <48. My HGB in the same period went from 16.4 to 17.9.....a little high also for his liking. For you that do frequent phlebotomies, what are your HCT and HGB parameters that trigger your frequency?
Thanks!

I have crashed my ferritin from too many donation and big blood tests where they pull 12 vials.


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Its taken 5 months to get my ferritin back up off on the bottom on the scale.



You pretty much have to stop donating and adjust your T dose down until your HCT no longer rises and your ferritin recovers. I am not quite there yet but getting closer. I increased my red meat and added a iron supplement with vit-C

18 months into TRT and hope my HCT will stablize like Vince's did. Then will try to slowly raise my dose again to optimize my Free T.

 

[Vince]

I should check my old labs and see what my ferritin levels were at when I was donating so often. I don't think I ever felt anything from having low iron levels. I did and still do supplement with 1000 mg of vitamin C twice a day. I'm sure they must have been super low though.