Hemoglobin count

[mr athlete]

Went to my new urologist and he took a new set of labs my hemoglobin came back @ 18. Is this normal. He wants to cut me back on trt but.im feeling pretty good. Really dont want to. Will donating blood help if so how much better will this help.

 

[bigt405]

Yes donating regularly will help and take it from someone that's already been there donate and then do it again when you can. For some reason I donated a few times got mine back in line and then I got laxed and missed two donations and my hemoglobin went above 19 which is the cut off for donating so now I am lowering my dose for a while and trying to stay hydrated so maybe soon I will be back in range to donate again.

 

[Whacked]

Are you all referring to the hematocrit or hemoglobin? LOL

Hematocrit is what "can become" elevated with TRT and hence problematic

 

[bigt405]

Are you all referring to the hematocrit or hemoglobin? LOL

Hematocrit is what "can become" elevated with TRT and hence problematic

They are both related to each each other anytime my hematocrit is high so is my hemoglobin. If you go to donate whatever your hemoglobin is multiply it by three and that is pretty close to what your hematocrit is.......

 

[Whacked]

.........

 

[mr athlete]

Thanks Big, how long does it take you to get back in the donating range. 1 week, 2 more? Im border line and have an appointment for next the 27th so im thinking of splitting my shot into 2 that week. going low at the beginning and waiting until after the donation to give the remainder. Dont know if thats just pissing in the wind. or if it takes longer to log a difference.

Does baby aspirin help?

 

[bigt405]

Thanks Big, how long does it take you to get back in the donating range. 1 week, 2 more? Im border line and have an appointment for next the 27th so im thinking of splitting my shot into 2 that week. going low at the beginning and waiting until after the donation to give the remainder. Dont know if thats just pissing in the wind. or if it takes longer to log a difference.

Does baby aspirin help?

Aspirin will not help lower your hemoglobin/ hematocrit but it is definitely good to take while your levels are high. I do not know how long it will take without a donation but is longer than a few weeks.

 

[BJE]

Went to my new urologist and he took a new set of labs my hemoglobin came back @ 18. Is this normal. He wants to cut me back on trt but.im feeling pretty good. Really dont want to. Will donating blood help if so how much better will this help.

Your doctor could prescribe therapeutic phlebotomy to get your level down faster.

 

[kisaj]

Just curious what amount of test you are using, OP? I have never had this issue since lowering my test injections.

And I am not telling him to, BJE. Lol

 

[mr athlete]

Just curious what amount of test you are using, OP? I have never had this issue since lowering my test injections.

And I am not telling him to, BJE. Lol

Im currently on 125-150

 

[kisaj]

Ah, ok. I was at 120 split 2x weekly and now at 100 split.

 

[mr athlete]

Went to give blood today and was at 19.2 on the first hand and 19.8 on the second. Any thoughts on how much to cut back? Ill probably cut back to 100-125 see if this has a significant impact.Does anyone know how to track hemoglobin at home?

 

[kisaj]

I do take naringin supplements for triglycerides and that is likely helping lower mine.

 

[Gutterpump]

Your doctor could prescribe therapeutic phlebotomy to get your level down faster.

This ^
You can always visit a hematologist and they will do some blood letting at anytime, it just gets discarded after. No need to wait till levels come down so you can donate. Hematologist will sort you out.

 

[mr athlete]

"This ^
You can always visit a hematologist and they will do some blood letting at anytime, it just gets discarded after. No need to wait till levels come down so you can donate. Hematologist will sort you out."

Sounds like a plan but does insurance cover? how do you approach that with them? "excuse me im on TRT and want bring my Hemoglobin count down? Can you drain me of a couple of pints"'

 

[Gutterpump]

Sounds like a plan but does insurance cover? how do you approach that with them? "excuse me im on TRT and want bring my Hemoglobin count down? Can you drain me of a couple of pints"'

I'm about to find out myself as I need to give blood. I'll let you know. I plan on telling them that my hematocrit is high and that I'm on TRT and need to give blood.

My insurance allows me to make appointments with specialists myself, otherwise you can get your GP to make a referral based on labs. Only problem with seeing a specialist is that copay is higher, but not horrible.

 

[mr athlete]

Good luck and please keep me posted. I can make appointments with specialists also so may try if it works for you.

 

[mr athlete]

I'm about to find out myself as I need to give blood. I'll let you know. I plan on telling them that my hematocrit is high and that I'm on TRT and need to give blood.

My insurance allows me to make appointments with specialists myself, otherwise you can get your GP to make a referral based on labs. Only problem with seeing a specialist is that copay is higher, but not horrible.

Apparently its called "therapeutic phlebotomy" and is common. May need a script but I doubt my doc would decline.

 

[Gutterpump]

Should be fine because even if it's not needed, it's not harmful