My testosterone related polycythemia issue is resolved by sinus surgery

I've been on HRT for over 10 years and pretty much the whole time I've been consistently donating blood but I always still seemed to have an elevated red blood cell count.
So recently I was diagnosed with mild Sleep Apnea caused by a sinus issue. Ive been suffering with this sinus issue for decades basically when I lay down gravity kicks in and my nose would tend to stuff up well it seems that my body was starving for oxygen when i was asleep and the body was creating more red blood cells to make up for lack of oxygen. Anyways with the help of the ACA and the fact that I now have some health insurance for the first time in my adult life I was finally able to deal with this sinus issue. So I went to a ENT doctor they did a Sinus CT Scan which diagnosed me with chronic sinusitis which basically in my case just meant that my sinus passages was narrow and not enough air was getting through very common issue was told. They explained to me that they felt I would benefit from some sinus procedures Balloon Sinuplasty and Submucus Resection of the Turbinates.
To make a long story short had the procedures done and below are my before and after blood work. For the first time in like 10yrs its normal and it also seems my blood pressure which has always been borderline high has normalized also.


Before
RBC 6.18 High
Hemoglobin 17.8 High
Hematocrit 53.6 High

After
RBC 5.40
Hemoglobin 15.3
Hematocrit 45.4

Wow! Congrats. I am looking into getting it done also.

Yes, sleep apnea/low oxygen and smoking increase hematocrit. I am glad yours is resolved!

How was the recovery after the procedure?

Its considered a lowInvasive procedure home the same day had it done on a Tuesday Thursday went back in they took the packing out my nose
Monday back to work out of the gym for 3 weeks if you go back to gym soon before your healed enough most likely start bleeding and have to go back and have your nose packed again you don't want to go through that.
Good solid procedure and seems most people are very happy with the results I'm breathing great my nose is clear as a bell and on a side note i always had troubles taking the Cialis stuff would just instantly clog my nose and head up for a few days but not anymore.

Also I have to give a thumbs up to Dr. Saya Defy Med smart guy he was going over my blood work and discussing my elevated red blood cell count and I just happened to mention I was getting ready to have the sinus surgery done explaining my symptoms to him and right away he went on to say that its very possible that the low oxygen while your sleep are causing your body to over compensate and create more red blood cells smart guy
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How long of timer was it between your procedure and you last blood work posted ?

The first blood test is about one month before the procedure and the second blood test is about 2 months after the procedure

Won't be long I'll be running my blood work again in a month or so this should will help to confirm its no just some fluke

Ok thanks. I tested just under limit for sleep apnea but snore excessively. I have high hemoglobin and hemocrit. Working with a hematologist for last 3 months. Giving blood every other week. Just wondering if the disrupted sleep from snoring is still causing higher levels of hemo. Nelson any imput would be great as well.

Markee said:

The first blood test is about one month before the procedure and the second blood test is about 2 months after the procedure

Won't be long I'll be running my blood work again in a month or so this should will help to confirm its no just some fluke

Click to expand...

Hey, any bloodwork update ? Hematocrit still normal ?

Wow, this is great! I have chronic sinusitis and my hematocrit on TRT is 52-54 and had to donate every 2 months to keep it there. I'll do MRI and try to do a surgery in a few months. Maybe, that's the problem in my case also...

That's very very interesting, I've resisted tooth and nail the sleep study/CPAP things, its something I just don't want to deal with but that's encouraging, those procedures you had.

They gave me a CPAP used it just a few times I could not sleep with it instantly clogged my nose up and made things so much worse

Guys if you are donating and still getting high readings it could also be Hereditary Hemochromotosis as was found in my case. It is not usually checked for in a routine lab work. It is a genentic test. Most times Doctors just assume you have secondary polycythemia

Sory for my bad english..
I think i have the same issues here as well with my polychythemia problem. The difrent is i dont do HRT treatment.
My queation is..
You say before
RBC 6.18 High
Hemoglobin 17.8 High
Hematocrit 53.6 High
(your docter doesnt comand you to donate blood? Or you already donate first and do surgery sinus?)

And after how many month you got this result?
RBC 5.40
Hemoglobin 15.3
Hematocrit 45.4

I assume that you down your hematocrit level from 53.6 to 45.4 without donating blood at all right?

I have chronic sinusitis problem here to and high hematocrit.

Mine
RBC 6.11
Hemoglobin 17.6
Hematocrit 50.1

My hematologist say its secondary and dont know what is the causes.
My blood level is going up really slowly. From 46.4 to 50.1 it need almost 5month
And i think i have sleep apnea problem too
I wonder if can lowering my hematocrit without donating blood.

Do a surgery if you have a problem. It also fixed my hematocrit. This procedure http://www.pobedimohrkanje.com/metode.php?r=1877

@Glorius Ezra, you have your answer above from @Markee!

Markee said:

The first blood test is about one month before the procedure and the second blood test is about 2 months after the procedure

Won't be long I'll be running my blood work again in a month or so this should will help to confirm its no just some fluke

Click to expand...

Dear speed tq for the answer..
So the conclusion is you guys not donating blood to lowering your hematocrit.

How many your hematocrit before surgery @speed?

The problem now my doctor who treat my sinus say that i dont have to do Surgery. I dont understand why and they keep prescribe me stroid anti inflmatory drug when my nose getting stuff,
And they say its not enough to make my hemo raise up. Im really confuse..
My friend have same sinus problem but no problem with his hemoglobin..

Sorry if i ask to much.
Im frustrated enough with this issues.

Before, it was around 51-53. And, I NEEDED to donate. Now, without donation, it's coming down (two weeks after surgery) I hope it goes down more 3 If you have sleep apnea, then probably you will have hematocrit problems, because you don't get enough oxigen when you sleep....

Just google "sleep apnea, high RBC" "

Yeah i think so.. Because when im wake up.. My throat seem so bad like im breathing to much with my mouth..
Anyway tq for rep my question.. Really give me soms light of hope\