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hemoglobin, trt and anabolics

hyperCat

Active member
Just got some current bloods back from my 6 month trt check-up. Everything in normal range...barely. My hemoglobin was at the very top of normal. Since it is still in normal range, I suppose it's nothing to be too worried about, but I'm wondering if my uro will think otherwise at my next visit. Currently running 4 pumps Androgel. If I back off by one pump, how long should it take for my hemoglobin to tick back down? Not looking for a huge reduction, but I would feel better knowing there is a little "wiggle" room, especially since I run relatively mild cycles from time to time.

Also, I assume other anabolic hormones would also contribute to elevated hemoglobin. Are there any in particular that are considered worse than others?
 
This likely affected your hematocrit as well. It's something to be aware of, but I don't believe in the alarm some people get over it as it does fluctuate. Make sure you stay hydrated as this can make a big impact to it. Naringin helps, also nattokinase. If it does get over the range, you may consider blood donation every few months to keep it down. Work with your doc.
 
kisaj said:
This likely affected your hematocrit as well. It's something to be aware of, but I don't believe in the alarm some people get over it as it does fluctuate. Make sure you stay hydrated as this can make a big impact to it. Naringin helps, also nattokinase. If it does get over the range, you may consider blood donation every few months to keep it down. Work with your doc.
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Hematocrit was a few ticks below the top of range, so basically high normal. Not too concerned at this point. Just makes me wonder if this value will continue to creep up over time, or if it generally plateaus. I did start drinking grapefruit juice several months ago (the real stuff), but not certain how beneficial it has been. Nattokinase looks interesting. I'm assuming this doesn't really lower hemoglobin, but rather helps prevent the bad things that can happen from elevated hemoglobin?
 
Me, Id donate. Dont wait til you (possibly) get higher and start feeling sh1tty. Its a gamble whether natty supps will make a significant impact on decreasing hematocrit/rbc.
 
Nac said:
Me, Id donate. Dont wait til you (possibly) get higher and start feeling sh1tty. Its a gamble whether natty supps will make a significant impact on decreasing hematocrit/rbc.
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Good idea. I just scheduled an appt for Monday to donate. I signed up for a whole blood donation. Might just start doing this every few months. I've heard it can actually make you feel better anyway, so it can't hurt. Guessing they won't test it for any anabolics? I'm on a mild m1a/proto cycle right now...
 
hyperCat said:
Good idea. I just scheduled an appt for Monday to donate. I signed up for a whole blood donation. Might just start doing this every few months. I've heard it can actually make you feel better anyway, so it can't hurt. Guessing they won't test it for any anabolics? I'm on a mild m1a/proto cycle right now...
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The way I see it, if youre currently trending upwards, the only thing that will put an immediate dent in those numbers is a donation. I take those natty supps kisaj mentioned, and more besides, and the best I hope from them is they slow (not prevent) any upward trend, or that they add to any downward trend. To me they are like natty AIs vs pharma (which is the AI equivalent of a phlebotomy).

In my experience and reading, they will initially test your hematocrit (and maybe iron) via a fingerprick, but your blood is not tested later for anabolics. Prior to my first donation they only specifically asked if I had injected non-prescribed drugs; they never asked if I had taken orals, used td, etc.
 
hyperCat said:
Good idea. I just scheduled an appt for Monday to donate. I signed up for a whole blood donation. Might just start doing this every few months. I've heard it can actually make you feel better anyway, so it can't hurt. Guessing they won't test it for any anabolics? I'm on a mild m1a/proto cycle right now...
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Don't worry about anything you're taking when it comes to donating blood. It will be tested to make sure it's safe to give to another person.
 
I do agree with NAC and just providing some additional suggestions. What I found after being on TRT for 7 years is that hematocrit does level out and does not continue to climb- my personal experience.

I will tell you what happened with mine is that for the first few years I was hovering around 52-53 hematocrit and 18 hemoglobin. Naringin kept it to 52. I am at about 6500ft, so they don't consider it high until you hit 55. Then it just started lowering, and the endo said this is normal as the body takes a long time to adjust and balance. No diet changes, but I did concentrate on more cardio work. Now I average 50-51 and 17 without anything and I have never donated blood.

Everyone is different, but again, if in doubt, donating helps you and others. Win win.
 
kisaj said:
I do agree with NAC and just providing some additional suggestions. What I found after being on TRT for 7 years is that hematocrit does level out and does not continue to climb- my personal experience.

I will tell you what happened with mine is that for the first few years I was hovering around 52-53 hematocrit and 18 hemoglobin. Naringin kept it to 52. I am at about 6500ft, so they don't consider it high until you hit 55. Then it just started lowering, and the endo said this is normal as the body takes a long time to adjust and balance. No diet changes, but I did concentrate on more cardio work. Now I average 50-51 and 17 without anything and I have never donated blood.

Everyone is different, but again, if in doubt, donating helps you and others. Win win.
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Your experience is reassuring; due to a scare Im still concerned how my own levels will end up settling...if they do. Id be curious if you ever bump up your trt dose and run blasts at all.

You on the swanson naringin, 500mg per day?
 
I no longer run naringin. I actually stopped once my levels started lowering. I added it in because as I worked through the initial trial and error playing with dosage, I was hitting 54.5-55 and once I added that in, it dropped 2 points consistently. Then over time, has just been lowering to where it was on my test last week- 50.

I do blast once a year right about this time and will be doing so next week. I get my spring labs, make sure everything is in order and then I will jump to 300mg. I have no reason to go higher because I am so dialed in with everything that I can get a solid 8-10lbs over the next 6-8weeks while keeping any bloat to a minimum.
 
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