new labs inside. 6 months on trt

[42HRT]

Been on actual trt injections about 5-6 months.
Starting at 100mg 2x shot a week. That brought me a trough total t in the 550s. And FT in the bottom 1/3 of the range. My hematocrit was at 47.4 3 months ago at this dose. We increased dose to 120mg per week 2x a week injections. And my current labs are trough levels of 840 total with free T at 94 towards the top of the range. estrogen 69 however, my hematocrit shot up to 53.7. I feel better with free t up in this range and dose.
However, my urologist advised, on lowering dose to 110mg and advised strongly to give blood.
We did do confirmation lab draws again today, results im waiting on.
I am surprised such a small change in dose made such a difference. Thoughts?

 

[Vince]

Been on actual trt injections about 5-6 months.
Starting at 100mg 2x shot a week. That brought me a trough total t in the 550s. And FT in the bottom 1/3 of the range. My hematocrit was at 47.4 3 months ago at this dose. We increased dose to 120mg per week 2x a week injections. And my current labs are trough levels of 840 total with free T at 94 towards the top of the range. estrogen 69 however, my hematocrit shot up to 53.7. I feel better with free t up in this range and dose.
However, my urologist advised, on lowering dose to 110mg and advised strongly to give blood.
We did do confirmation lab draws again today, results im waiting on.
I am surprised such a small change in dose made such a difference. Thoughts?

My levels also change even though I do not change the dose I'm injecting. I wonder if the vials are stronger or weaker at times.

My only concern is your high HCT. I would definitely start donating blood.

 

[Systemlord]

However, my urologist advised, on lowering dose to 110mg and advised strongly to give blood.

How’s your blood pressure?

This hematocrit level is not alarming in the absence of symptoms. The TRT guidelines for CBC is under 54%, over this value steps are taking to lower CBC, either donating blood (a fools errand) because your hematocrit levels will recover within one to two weeks making donating pointless that only serves to crush your ferritin levels!

Donating blood to control hematocrit is not a long-term solution. Many of the guidelines for TRT are meant to play it safe in a field of medicine where data is lacking, whether or not high hematocrit caused by TRT is dangerous.

I think each case is different, genetics and current health problems or lack there of being the determining factor and whether or not you’re going to have a problem. Sadly, TRT treatment and management isn’t individualized, everyone gets the same treatment, even though we’re all different.

 

[Systemlord]

My levels also change even though I do not change the dose I'm injecting. I wonder if the vials are stronger or weaker at times.

My only concern is your high HCT. I would definitely start donating blood.

My hematocrit changed dramatically within a 4 to 5 hour window, I got the labs to prove it. I woke up with diarrhea and lost fluids and had a CBC and my hematocrit was 54.9%, 4 to 5 hours later, it was 51.5% after receiving IV fluids.

This is while I was not on TRT, and imagine had I been on TRT and my endocrinologist seen that and told me to lower my testosterone dosage and dump blood when the cause of my slight elevation in my CBC was dehydration.

 

[Vince]

My hematocrit changed dramatically within a 4 to 5 hour window, I got the labs to prove it. I woke up with diarrhea and lost fluids and had a CBC and my hematocrit was 54.9%, 4 to 5 hours later, it was 51.5% after receiving IV fluids.

This is while I was not on TRT, and imagine had I been on TRT and my endocrinologist seen that and told me to lower my testosterone dosage and dump blood when the cause of my slight elevation in my CBC was dehydration.

Yes, I agree. When you get dehydrated it will change your hematocrit.