High Hematocrit and sexual function

[DFL]

I've been on TRT for about 2 years now, with Defy most of that time. Here's how things looked from my last labs in September:

Total T: 655
Free T: 21
Hematocrit: 52.1
E2 Sensitive: 32.9
SHBG (from previous lab): 23.4
DHEA (previous labs): 353

Protocol:
50MG Cyp 2x/week
400iu HCG at the same time

I'm 52 years old. I've had problems with high hematocrit since the beginning, sometimes approaching 55. I give blood every 90 days.

So before starting TRT I had been divorced and depressed for 2 years and not having sex. Around the time I started TRT I met a girl and had no problems. But soon after it began getting a little more difficult so I started taking Cialis. Soon after that I met another girl, who I was (am) very attracted to, and I started having a lot of problems. More difficulty getting and staying erect, and more difficult and less intense orgasms.

From then on I have taken Cialis, then Viagra, and now Verdenafil (love it!) EVERY time I have sex. I pretty much HAVE to.

And I'm pretty sure I shouldn't have to. That all started as I eased into TRT.

I've been thinking about it for 2 years, why? Estrogen? Tried low dose Anastrozole, made me a zombie (extreme sedation).

And then the other day I suddenly thought "Wait! My blood is too thick, and ED meds work by opening up the blood vessels for increased blood flow!" Seems like a connection to me, and I'm surprised I hadn't thought of it before.

Is this a thing? Anyone else had this problem? Am I on the right track?

I don't think there's much I can do to lower the hematocrit other than lower the dosages? I tried grape seed extract and it did nothing. I tried 3x week injections and alternating with HCG and that didn't help either.

I really appreciate any input.

 

[Starplex]

I thought similar to you. I felt less sensitivity with higher hemocrit. I would take L-Arginine an hour before sex and it helped me a lot with sensitivity. I also take daily Cialis.
I was able to lower my Hemocrit by drinking a cup of grapefruit juice every night. Non- concentrate.

 

[mooseman109]

I deal with high hct as well, though I do not even think it is high until it reaches 54-55,thrilled with 52. All other bloodwork is fine and Dr not worried either, actually three dr, my pcp internal med doc, and 2 hematologist. I can not say I have put the two things you speak of together. Though if my E2 gets high like yours I will have the problem you are speaking of.

 

[DFL]

Thank you or the feedback guys. I will try the grapefruit juice.

I was focused on E2 for a while. I don't think I've gotten it low enough to know. Considering dropping dosage a bit more so that I can determine whether that's it.

I was hoping there would be more people who noticed this with high Hematocrit but maybe the connection is not there.

If anyone has any other ideas I am all ears...

 

[mooseman109]

I take daily tadalafil at 2.5 mg i add a 50 mg viagra prior to go time and this works for me. But even on a weekday if I have had a 12 hour work day it may be touch and go. Lots of things in our minds, like bad work day, can distract. Not always just a pill solution unfortunately

 

[SkyWarn]

I've been on TRT for about 2 years now, with Defy most of that time. Here's how things looked from my last labs in September:

Total T: 655
Free T: 21
Hematocrit: 52.1
E2 Sensitive: 32.9
SHBG (from previous lab): 23.4
DHEA (previous labs): 353

Protocol:
50MG Cyp 2x/week
400iu HCG at the same time

I'm 52 years old. I've had problems with high hematocrit since the beginning, sometimes approaching 55. I give blood every 90 days.

So before starting TRT I had been divorced and depressed for 2 years and not having sex. Around the time I started TRT I met a girl and had no problems. But soon after it began getting a little more difficult so I started taking Cialis. Soon after that I met another girl, who I was (am) very attracted to, and I started having a lot of problems. More difficulty getting and staying erect, and more difficult and less intense orgasms.

From then on I have taken Cialis, then Viagra, and now Verdenafil (love it!) EVERY time I have sex. I pretty much HAVE to.

And I'm pretty sure I shouldn't have to. That all started as I eased into TRT.

I've been thinking about it for 2 years, why? Estrogen? Tried low dose Anastrozole, made me a zombie (extreme sedation).

And then the other day I suddenly thought "Wait! My blood is too thick, and ED meds work by opening up the blood vessels for increased blood flow!" Seems like a connection to me, and I'm surprised I hadn't thought of it before.

Is this a thing? Anyone else had this problem? Am I on the right track?

I don't think there's much I can do to lower the hematocrit other than lower the dosages? I tried grape seed extract and it did nothing. I tried 3x week injections and alternating with HCG and that didn't help either.

I really appreciate any input.

Just curious, why do you "love" the Verdenafil. Do you find its more effective than Cialis?

 

[SkyWarn]

I thought similar to you. I felt less sensitivity with higher hemocrit. I would take L-Arginine an hour before sex and it helped me a lot with sensitivity. I also take daily Cialis.
I was able to lower my Hemocrit by drinking a cup of grapefruit juice every night. Non- concentrate.

How much did the cup of GF fruit lower your hct? I have been thinking about trying it. Although I take a statin so I am not sure if there are any interactions

 

[SilverSurfer]

For me 4 to 6 oz of grapefruit juice seems to lower my hemocrit by 3 or 4 points. I’ve been on TRT now for almost 2 years and just finished a 13 week Deca trial (250 mgs per week) and have never needed to give blood. Highest my hemocrit got b4 starting grapefruit juice was 52.

 

[Sly]

For me 4 to 6 oz of grapefruit juice seems to lower my hemocrit by 3 or 4 points. I’ve been on TRT now for almost 2 years and just finished a 13 week Deca trial (250 mgs per week) and have never needed to give blood. Highest my hemocrit got b4 starting grapefruit juice was 52.

How long did it take for the grapefruit juice to start lowering your hemo?

 

[SilverSurfer]

How long did it take for the grapefruit juice to start lowering your hemo?

Not entirely sure, as I wasn’t having any symptoms of high hemocrit. My labs at that point were every 60 days. My guess would be 2 to 3 weeks?

 

[bochinit]

For me 4 to 6 oz of grapefruit juice seems to lower my hemocrit by 3 or 4 points. I’ve been on TRT now for almost 2 years and just finished a 13 week Deca trial (250 mgs per week) and have never needed to give blood. Highest my hemocrit got b4 starting grapefruit juice was 52.

Do you have advices or warnings about the Deca use? Give you loss of libido or depression?

 

[Starplex]

How long did it take for the grapefruit juice to start lowering your hemo?

Successfully lowered my Hemocrit

 

[Starplex]

How much did the cup of GF fruit lower your hct? I have been thinking about trying it. Although I take a statin so I am not sure if there are any interactions

I think GF juice may interfere with statins. Do a little research on this before jumping in.

 

[Gman86]

Carl lanore did an interesting podcast on grapefruit. Here’s the link below.

SHR # 2344 :: RLRx: Grapefruit - Fruit or Drug?

 

[Deleted member 16042]

@SkyWarn

Grapefruit–drug interactions - Wikipedia

Grapefuit juice is a CYP3A inhibitor which affects the clearance of many more drugs than just statins, This can be a very serious effect. In the case of some statins it can effectively increase the dosage by a factor of 40. This results in a toxic level built up, unable to clear from the body. This video has this 40 fold reference: About Herbs, Botanicals & Other Products MSK cancer research

CYP3 enhances the clearance of drugs and toxins from the body. If you inhibit its effect, less is cleared, more stays in the body. There are also CYP3A inducers which induce a higher rate of clearance.

It will indeed screw up your dosage of statin and is contraindicated.



One chart (there are many): https://www.mayocliniclabs.com/it-m..._3A4_and_3A5_Known_Drug_Interaction_Chart.pdf

There are other CYP substrates, inhibitors and reducers than can be pertineient in drug, supplement and food interactions: Table of Substrates, Inhibitors and Inducers

 

[SkyWarn]

I think GF juice may interfere with statins. Do a little research on this before jumping in.

Thats exactly the reason why I have been reluctant to try it

 

[SilverSurfer]

Do you have advices or warnings about the Deca use? Give you loss of libido or depression?

I had no problems with it. I kept an eagle eye out for ANY hint of erection or morning wood issues. No mental or emotional issues, but I never noticed a change in emotional response from any hormone issues from a high E2 or low test or testosterone at 1400. And given I’ve never had a problem with depression that required medication I may not be the best one to ask if you are sensitive to hormone changes as many men are.

My goal now is to see if my joint pain returns and when, or if. Some recommend I run a low dose consistently moving forward, but I’d prefer not to take something if I didn’t need it.