Hematocrit - The Cause of My Problem?

Zooulie12 · Mar 16, 2019

So after mass research I am pretty certain what my issues are. I have had pretty each skin that’s been uncomfortable. Along with chest pain, and it seems with the itchy skin it’s having a high hemocrit. Is there anyway to lower it? Should I just take a break from my testosterone?? I only do labs now every 3 months. I don’t feel like chasing labs because I’ll go insane doing that. But just from what I read and the symptoms I am sure it’s hemocrit related. How have you guys lowered it.

CoastWatcher · Mar 16, 2019

Pull a CBC via www.discountedlabs.com. You’ll know for certain if you have HCT problems. A phlebotomy is the standard way to lower elevated hematocrit - either a simple blood donation or with an order from your doctor for a therapeutic phlebotomy.

maxadvance · Mar 17, 2019

chest pain and itchy skin, ok, what led you to suspect it's high hematocrit?

Zooulie12 · Mar 17, 2019

CoastWatcher said:
Pull a CBC via www.discountedlabs.com. You’ll know for certain if you have HCT problems. A phlebotomy is the standard way to lower elevated hematocrit - either a simple blood donation or with an order from your doctor for a therapeutic phlebotomy.

Can you lower hemocrit by doing daily injections?

CoastWatcher · Mar 17, 2019

Zooulie12 said:
Can you lower hemocrit by doing daily injections?

Some have reported success in lowering their hct with daily injections, but it is not a given by any means.

Again, run a fast and cheap lab test, a CBC, to confirm you're actually dealing with elevated hematocrit before adjusting your protocol.

Systemlord · Mar 17, 2019

If you go donate blood and itching goes away, you have your answer. If high hematocrit isn't the cause of your symptoms, you'll know you are chasing a ghost.

TorontoTRT · Mar 21, 2019

More frequent injections increased my hematocrit.

Zooulie12 · Mar 21, 2019

TorontoTRT said:
More frequent injections increased my hematocrit.

So did you just go back to every 3.5 days for your injections? I was reading omega 6 and baby aspirin can decrease it. But giving blood is the main thing. But that makes me nervous because I am worried I might pass out. I have never donated before.

TorontoTRT · Mar 21, 2019

I went from 100 mg once a week hematocrit 53 to a lower dose of 80 mg a week split in 40 mg every 3.5 days. Hematocrit went up to 55. Now I’m doing 70 mg every 5 days. Let’s see how this plays out. Blood donation is a no-go as my ferritin is low, 23.

Vince Carter · Mar 21, 2019

Zooulie12 said:
So did you just go back to every 3.5 days for your injections? I was reading omega 6 and baby aspirin can decrease it. But giving blood is the main thing. But that makes me nervous because I am worried I might pass out. I have never donated before.

Its no different from having blood drawn for labs, essentially no different other than it takes ~5-10 min to fill a 1 pint blood bag.

jdthoosier · Mar 21, 2019

So, percentage-wise, how much would a blood donation drop hematocrit?

fifty · Mar 21, 2019

5-10%

TorontoTRT · Mar 21, 2019

But it will tank your ferritin.

lenny · Mar 21, 2019

Zooulie12 said:
But that makes me nervous because I am worried I might pass out. I have never donated before.

It felt weird the first time, but I got used to it.

Having said, I don't do phlebotomies anymore because I am one of the people who have benefited big time from daily injections… my hematocrit now sits around 42, whereas on weekly or even twice-weekly injections it was always over 50.

TorontoTRT · Mar 21, 2019

I wonder why hematocrit acts so differently and randomly with everyone.

Vince Carter · Mar 22, 2019

It is not 5-10% reduction, it's 3%.

fifty · Mar 22, 2019

So if you donate at 55 it will get you down to 53.3?

lenny · Mar 22, 2019

fifty said:
So if you donate at 55 it will get you down to 53.3?

This wasn't my experience. Phlebotomy always knocked me down about 10 percentage points, like 51 down to 41.

Gman86 · Mar 22, 2019

Holy sht! Did they leave any blood in your body?? Lol

Before donating my HCT was 53.8. After it was 50.4. Then a month later it was 52.2.

lenny · Mar 22, 2019

Gman86 said:
Holy sht! Did they leave any blood in your body?? Lol

Before donating my HCT was 53.8. After it was 50.4. Then a month later it was 52.2.

Jeez, well that's useless, isn't it… maybe they take more out for therapeutic phlebotomies.