My Experiment to Optimize Hematocrit and Iron

[Lockout888]

Plot twist:

I just had my blood tested again. This is after donating blood 9 weeks ago, and taking the iron supplement for 1 week:

Hemoglobin 17.9 HIGH (12.6-17.7)
Hematocrit 49.5 (37.5-51.0)
Iron, Serum 45 (38-169)
Iron Saturation 14 LOW (15-55)
Ferritin, Serum 19 LOW (30-400)

High hemoglobin and low iron? Guess I need to take the iron supplement for 2-3 weeks after donating?

 

[simeoni]

Im curious if you have any cognitive symptoms that are usually associated with low iron - poor mood, problems with working memory etc?

 

[Lockout888]

Im curious if you have any cognitive symptoms that are usually associated with low iron - poor mood, problems with working memory etc?

No cognitive symptoms that I am aware of.

I have been donating blood for almost 3 years now, and didn't have any iron issues until 2016.

I eat plenty of meat every day. 9 weeks after donating, and being on an iron supplement for 1 week - I would think my iron stores would be higher.

The only thing I can think of that is affecting my iron absorption, is I started taking Omeprazole (Prilosec) daily for acid reflux around August of 2015. I started getting iron deficiency anemia symptoms around March of 2016, and my blood test confirmed it in June of 2016.

In doing more research on my issue, I just found that taking Omeprazole can reduce iron absorption.

 

[Vince Carter]

Omeprazole...please consider stopping use of that, it's a notorious for ED and really beats down the Nitric Oxide (google it)...this stuff is pretty bad. I *think* I started having ED matters at about the time I was using that. possibly coincidental but still something to think about it. Also look in to, not EXCESS stomach acid...but LOW stomach acid.
But where I'm going with that is that are you're concluding with iron, you can have all sorts of malabsorption issues.
I too run high HGB/HCT, and VERY low ferritin. I think iron supps really only aggravated the two, barely moved my Ferritin at all. I now ONLY use 1000mg Vit C to help with absorption and of course no Omeprazole. PM if I can help you with the stomach acid/GERD.

 

[Lockout888]

Omeprazole...please consider stopping use of that, it's a notorious for ED and really beats down the Nitric Oxide (google it)...this stuff is pretty bad. I *think* I started having ED matters at about the time I was using that. possibly coincidental but still something to think about it. Also look in to, not EXCESS stomach acid...but LOW stomach acid.
But where I'm going with that is that are you're concluding with iron, you can have all sorts of malabsorption issues.
I too run high HGB/HCT, and VERY low ferritin. I think iron supps really only aggravated the two, barely moved my Ferritin at all. I now ONLY use 1000mg Vit C to help with absorption and of course no Omeprazole. PM if I can help you with the stomach acid/GERD.

Funny, I only started taking omeprazole because I started to get GERD from taking low dose daily cialis for the non-ED benefits. I tired coming off of it a couple of times, and the GERD is unbearable. If you know of something else I can take that is as effective as omeprazole, I am all ears.

 

[Lockout888]

Very pleased with these results. Took Blood Builder twice a day for the next 2 weeks:

Hemoglobin 17.1 (12.6-17.7)
Hematocrit 49.9 (37.5-51.0)
Iron, Serum 104 (38-169)
Iron Saturation 37 (15-55)
Ferritin, Serum 37 (30-400)

 

[Vince Carter]

How do you feel subjectively, besides the lab numbers and do you think it's pushed your HGB/HCT?

 

[Lockout888]

How do you feel subjectively, besides the lab numbers and do you think it's pushed your HGB/HCT?

Definitely have more stamina on the Elliptical and during sex. Other than that, no major difference.

 

[Lockout888]

do you think it's pushed your HGB/HCT?

Numbers stayed about the same as 2 weeks ago.

 

[Nelson Vergel]

Lockout888

First of all, thanks for such detailed experiment. Few on here are as methodic as you are!

Your rapid increase in hematocrit is obviously due to a combo of three factors: TRT, iron supplementation and (my guess) night time breathing difficulties or apnea related to your deviated septum.

Glad you decreased the TRT dose but I think you should consider the surgery you have been putting off.

If your blood pressure is over 130/80 I would also start losartan to see if that helps you keep your hematocrit in check. Metformin also seems to have a lowering effect.

 

[Kirk]

A lot of times, our overall diet can hinder one's ability to regain an optimal ferritin level. As several foods, drinks and supplements can affect the assimilation of nutrients such as iron.

Something to consider.

 

[lenny]

Omeprazole...please consider stopping use of that, it's a notorious for ED and really beats down the Nitric Oxide (google it)...this stuff is pretty bad. I *think* I started having ED matters at about the time I was using that. possibly coincidental but still something to think about it. Also look in to, not EXCESS stomach acid...but LOW stomach acid.
But where I'm going with that is that are you're concluding with iron, you can have all sorts of malabsorption issues.
I too run high HGB/HCT, and VERY low ferritin. I think iron supps really only aggravated the two, barely moved my Ferritin at all. I now ONLY use 1000mg Vit C to help with absorption and of course no Omeprazole. PM if I can help you with the stomach acid/GERD.

Jeez, thanks Vince! This is the first I've heard of this, and I've been on omeprazole or esomeprazole for a couple of years now. I've tried to wean myself off of it, but it's been difficult. I have a hiatal hernia that I need to get checked out. This info convinces me I need to get on the ball soon. I have noticed that tadalafil generally isn't working quite as well the past couple years as well, but I thought it was just related to all my protocol adjustments. This might be worthy of another thread.

 

[lenny]

I would say Nelson is right, there's got to be more going on than just TRT raising your hematocrit. Blood donations usually knock my hematocrit down so far I don't have to donate again for about three-four months.

For example, last time I gave blood, on December 20, 2016, my hematocrit was 50 right before donating.

About three weeks later on January 11, my urologist ran his routine labs on me, and hematocrit was 44.1.

 

[Lockout888]

Blood donations usually knock my hematocrit down so far I don't have to donate again for about three-four months.

I have found it lowers my HCT by about 3 points.

 

[GettingAnswers]

Lockout, if you didn't have a different name I would swear this is my blog! I am in exactly the same boat except I am in only 70mg a week. My numbers mimic yours almost exactly and my ferritin and iron are tanked. But my HH is over the top. And continues to rise. Getting frustrated with this cycle of poor health markers from something that is supposed to be helping.

 

[GreenMachineX]

I'm in the same boat as all of you. Tanked ferritin and iron saturation but top of range Hemoglobin/Hematocrit. I'm afraid by the time I get my iron stores up my HH will be sky high. I'm taking Ferrasorb by Thorne now for extra iron. My symptoms included everything everyone mentioned but also included chest pain, dizziness, lightheadedness and memory/mood issues.

 

[Lockout888]

Very pleased with these results from 3/10/17. Took Blood Builder twice a day for 2 weeks:

Hemoglobin 17.1 (12.6-17.7)
Hematocrit 49.9 (37.5-51.0)
Iron, Serum 104 (38-169)
Iron Saturation 37 (15-55)
Ferritin, Serum 37 (30-400)

Had another CBC blood test on 4/13/17 and it was time to donate:
Hemoglobin 17.8 (12.6-17.7)
Hematocrit 53.3 (37.5-51.0)

Donated blood on 5/4/17 and got my iron and ferritin tested again 4 days later:
Hemoglobin 17.4 (12.6-17.7)
Hematocrit 51.6 (37.5-51.0)
Iron, Serum 64 (38-169)
Iron Saturation 19 (15-55)
Ferritin, Serum 23 (30-400) LOW

Maybe only take iron for 1 week this time?

 

[Nelson Vergel]

Yes, that is the catch-22. Iron supplementation helps to improve low iron/ferritin symptoms but also feeds the hematocrit increase. It is stored in the liver for later used, so try once or twice per week.

 

[GreenMachineX]

My hematocrit climbed up to 56 and now I'm working with a hematologist as well. They took a pint and the red face and hands symptoms went away. But now I feel the low ferritin symptoms again.
Side note, had an echocardiogram done and found mild atrial valve prolapse with trace regurgitation and mild left atrial enlargement. I wonder if elevated hematocrit and or low iron could be playing a role in this. My appointment with the cardiologist is in 2 hours.

 

[GreenMachineX]

Lockout, any update?