HRT and High MCV

[MarkP]

60 year old male:
10+ years of TRT
1+ year of HCG

Recently blood work over the last year has elevated MCV of 109 = high hematocrit.
Can't donate blood because using dutasteride (avodart) for BPH.
Where else can I get blood taken to lower my hematocrit percentage?

Thank you,

Mark
Patrick

 

[Nelson Vergel]

You cannot donate but your doctor can call in an order for a therapeutic phlebotomy at your closest blood center.

Do you have sleep apnea?

Does sleep apnea cause high MCV?
Hematological parameters also showed some differences across different BMI groups in the OSA group. While mean HGB, RBC, HCT values were significantly higher in the obese OSA cases, mean MCV was significantly higher in non-obese OSA cases (p=0.05, p=0.05, p=0.01 and p= 0.01, respectively).

http://cms.galenos.com.tr/Uploads/Article_30801/GMJ-61-97-En.pdf

Search results for: 'blog high hematocrit caused by trt how to lower it'

www.discountedlabs.com

 

[excelnelg]

Since when does high MCV = high hematocrit? I've had high MCV, and have, in the past, been diagnosed with macrocytic anemia that has been intermittent and of indeterminate origin but hematocrit was normal.

 

[MarkP]

I don't have sleep apnea (that I know of). I enrolled in a sleep study last year to test for it, but was unable to stay through the night - I woke choking with the cables wrapped around my neck. The admin unhooked me, and said I could go home. was 1:30am.

Ref: high MCV = high hematocrit
My doc talks about them interchangeably.

 

[MarkP]

My hematocrit is 52.8%
I have ordered a therapeutic phlebotomy every two months, which I understand will also lower my 'high' blood pressure also?

 

[Vince]

60 year old male:
10+ years of TRT
1+ year of HCG

Recently blood work over the last year has elevated MCV of 109 = high hematocrit.
Can't donate blood because using dutasteride (avodart) for BPH.
Where else can I get blood taken to lower my hematocrit percentage?

Thank you,

Mark
Patrick

High HCT, what's your protocol?

 

[MarkP]

My hematocrit is 52.8%
I have ordered a therapeutic phlebotomy every two months, which I understand will also lower my 'high' blood pressure also?

 

[Nelson Vergel]

I have ordered a therapeutic phlebotomy every two months, which I understand will also lower my 'high' blood pressure also?

Every two months can get you in trouble with low ferritin/iron. Please read this in detail:

How to Lower High Hematocrit Caused by Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT)

High Hematocrit Caused by Testosterone Replacement Therapy By Nelson Vergel, B.S.Ch.E., M.B.A. High hematocrit occurs when there is an excessive production of red blood cells. High hematocrit can cause the blood to become very viscous or "sticky," making it harder for the heart to pump. High...

www.excelmale.com

 

[MarkP]

That's what I thought.
So, how often is recommended?

 

[Nelson Vergel]

To be safe, I would do it every three months. But if your hematocrit does not eventually stabilize, make sure you don't have sleep apnea (or smoke).

Here are a few options:

Search results for: 'blog high hematocrit caused by trt how to lower it'

www.discountedlabs.com

 

[MarkP]

I agree, I thought at the most every quarter, certainly not every two months.
Don't smoke, and no sleep apnea to the best of my knowledge.

 

[Systemlord]

which I understand will also lower my 'high' blood pressure also?

I get phlebotomies every month and BP drops from 117/79 to 110/66.

If I don't get phlebotomies HCT gets 55% and hemoglobin 18.7 and both go higher when vitamin D deficient = dehydration.

I have to take 140 mg of iron daily.

 

[MarkP]

phlebotomies every month?
Does that lower ferritin and iron levels?
How do you manage this?

 

[Cataceous]

What's your TRT protocol and serum testosterone? Changes in dose and frequency can sometimes resolve side effects such as elevated hematocrit.

 

[Systemlord]

Does that lower ferritin and iron levels?

I have to take 140 mg of iron daily.

Yes and do have ringing in my ears for a few days and some fatigue which is short-lived. My fasting glucose levels are affected for these few days as well.

 

[MarkP]

I'm putting my elevated hematocrit down to changing from topical to IM injection a year or so ago.
Just scheduled my therapeutic phlebotomy for every 3 months starting in July.

 

[Systemlord]

I'm putting my elevated hematocrit down to changing from topical to IM injection

That explains it, topicals don't affect hematocrit nearly as much as injections and is why the topicals are prescribed first.

 

[MarkP]

Thx. Hoping therapeutic phlebotomy will help with my high blood pressure too.