Red Chest and High Hematocrit

[ALEX]

I've been trying to figure out the reason for my red chest after starting TRT. I thought it was due to high Estradiol, but even if I adjust it to good levels or less then normal range, the red chest is still there. I'd like to hear from you guys about the possibility of high hematocrit causing this redness ...
My hematocrit was near 50% and I donated some blood and the red chest improved ...
Is there any other possible cause for it ? I mean other than high E2 or high Hematocrit ? Any suggestions on how to deal with this issue ? Tks !!

 

[Tommy Wall]

Alex, my problem is similar to yours but more I have it more on my face ( it´s like your on Viagra all the time).
This must be a problem that many more has or? I would bet that it has to do with Hematocrit but I also don´t know what the real cause is. Could be that this happens more to people on TRT with higher Lipids.

Hopefully someone could post something that could help the understandings of this "small problem".

 

[Nelson Vergel]

The flushing effect could be caused by high hematocrit, the increased nitric oxide caused by TRT, high blood pressure/heart rate, high levels of serotonin caused by TRT, or low testosterone-to-estradiol ratios.

 

[ALEX]

Tks for answering Nelson and Tommy. I think that all the possibilities you wrote must be considered. In my case, I guess that Nitric Oxide or high hematocrit are the major possibilities.
I will donate more blood and see what happens. I will keep you guys posted.
Tks

 

[Tommy Wall]

THX Nelson!

I started to a get a bit of redish/purplish face already after only some weeks on TRT. And at time I had for sure no high Hematocrite. So my guess goes to NO with is fine.

Good luck Alex and keep us posted.

 

[ALEX]

My new labs : Hb= 18 Ht = 52% so I decided for a new Phlebotomy and donate more blood. Let's see what is gonna happen with red chest after the procedure. It seems high Ht is really causing the red chest.

 

[ALEX]

Phlebotomia and withdrawed 250 ml today. I'm thinking about more 250ml tomorrow and a new blood test to check it out.

 

[ALEX]

I've calculated the right amount of blood to be withdrawed in total. The result was 1300 ml to achieve a Hb level of 14. So today more 200 ml of whole blood. Yesterday + today total is 450 ml . I'm gonna give a break of 15 days and withdraw a little more blood. Feeling much better today, less redness and breathing easily !! It's working !!

 

[Nelson Vergel]

Alex

Be very careful with such frequent donations. Please do not do anymore until you get your ferritin and iron measured. Some guys go a little aggressive with too frequent phlebotomies and then they tank their iron, which then screws up their thyroid function and makes them crash.

 

[DavidM]

David
I am new as of today and have been doing TRT for quite a number of years. I have the same flushing on my chest and general overall red hue on my face. My brother just started TRT as well and having the same issue. Though I am a novice I read that Testosterone is a vasodialator. I have tested for hb and ht and though I did a 500ml donation it did not make a difference to the color on my chest. I wonder if those of us who suffer from flushing are more vascular by nature? My blood vessels on the rest of my body are very visible so maybe just more visible?
I read an article recently and though not an expert is does explain much about this issue. I can't post it since I just joined and need 4 posts to put in the link.


Once when I had high PSA my urologist asked that I stop TRT, which I did for 3 months, but wish I paid more attention to if my chest cleared up.

 

[CoastWatcher]

David
I am new as of today and have been doing TRT for quite a number of years. I have the same flushing on my chest and general overall red hue on my face. My brother just started TRT as well and having the same issue. Though I am a novice I read that Testosterone is a vasodialator. I have tested for hb and ht and though I did a 500ml donation it did not make a difference to the color on my chest. I wonder if those of us who suffer from flushing are more vascular by nature? My blood vessels on the rest of my body are very visible so maybe just more visible?
I read an article recently and though not an expert is does explain much about this issue. I can't post it since I just joined and need 4 posts to put in the link.


Once when I had high PSA my urologist asked that I stop TRT, which I did for 3 months, but wish I paid more attention to if my chest cleared up.

DavidM, Welcome to Excelmale. Are your hemoglobin and hematocrit levels, as well as your PSA, now stable?

 

[DavidM]

My levels have been stable and my PSA jumps around a bit. It is my understanding that the prostate is more aggravated by DHT levels than free testosterone. To counter that I use Avodart when I get a blood test and DHT is elevated. The drug lowered my DHT from over 200 to 6 in 30 days so it does not take much to keep DHT within normal ranges. If you take Avodart please do not donate blood as it can't go into the system for 6 months after you have stopped using it. Just do it therapeutically so the blood gets tossed.

Worth noting is my doctor lets me keep my total testosterone levels higher than what is normally considered the high end of 1100 or so. Typically, mine is around 1500, but other than flushing on my chest I suffer no typical ill events such as acne or irritability.

I joined this board to improve my education in such matters. Thx I have another round of blood tests this month and will respond with my levels including hb and ht.

 

[ALEX]

Alex

Be very careful with such frequent donations. Please do not do anymore until you get your ferritin and iron measured. Some guys go a little aggressive with too frequent phlebotomies and then they tank their iron, which then screws up their thyroid function and makes them crash.

Hi Nelson !! here you can see your old advice for me ... I confess that I forgot this one. Now after many phlebotomies along the time my Ferritin is very low ( 35 ) and may TSI is just 22%. So my labs can show a lack of Iron though I don't have anemia . I'm feeling week and losing hair ... also losing hair in my calves ( at lateral side of both ). I'm trying oral reposition ... I hope it works, otherwise IV Iron will be necessary ...

 

[Nelson Vergel]

I'm trying oral reposition ... I hope it works, otherwise IV Iron will be necessary ...

Hi Alex

Welcome back from 2015. What are your hematocrit, total iron and iron numbers?

What TRT dose? How frequently are you donating blood?

Ferritin of 32 is low but not as bad as it could get.

Please review this thread if you have time:

Warning for Men on TRT: Low Ferritin is Bad

Thanks everyone and being very new to TRT I learned a lot from you guys. Taked to Dr Saya and I am so greatful that he got me in quickly. I am overseas and had to stay up like past midnight to talk to him but it was worth it. He put me on 4 weeks of 200 iu HCG per day to jump start my system...

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