High red blood cell count, normal hemoglobin and hemacrocits

[Hectooor]

Hi all,
I’ve been in TRT for 5 years I’m 40 now. I am on test 180 mg per week used to inject twice per week and just switched to injecting 3x. Before I started anything my MVC, MCH are always low even now. I donate whole blood every 8 weeks, lately I’ve been having episodes of hard time taking deep breath but I can take many short breath till it goes away (30-45 seconds) I am not fat, I lift and do cardio 6x a week. Meeting the PCP next week to discuss these results but I would like to have an idea. My platelets were below normal
before TRT and now they are in the low but normal range. Any tip or suggestion helps

 

[FunkOdyssey]

If you're donating that often you're at high risk of iron deficiency. That would be my guess -- the body is still cranking out RBCs but they're low on hemoglobin because your iron is depleted. Definitely want to evaluate your iron status.

If you don't have drug interactions to worry about, you might explore using naringin as an alternative to frequent donations. Or a TRT dose reduction. Or both.

 

[Ribeye]

Hi all,
I’ve been in TRT for 5 years I’m 40 now. I am on test 180 mg per week used to inject twice per week and just switched to injecting 3x. Before I started anything my MVC, MCH are always low even now. I donate whole blood every 8 weeks, lately I’ve been having episodes of hard time taking deep breath but I can take many short breath till it goes away (30-45 seconds) I am not fat, I lift and do cardio 6x a week. Meeting the PCP next week to discuss these results but I would like to have an idea. My platelets were below normal
before TRT and now they are in the low but normal range. Any tip or suggestion helps

Check your iron levels. If they are low, easy fix thru diet and supplements. Will definitely make you tired and low quality RBC.

 

[tareload]

Hi all,
I’ve been in TRT for 5 years I’m 40 now. I am on test 180 mg per week used to inject twice per week and just switched to injecting 3x. Before I started anything my MVC, MCH are always low even now. I donate whole blood every 8 weeks, lately I’ve been having episodes of hard time taking deep breath but I can take many short breath till it goes away (30-45 seconds) I am not fat, I lift and do cardio 6x a week. Meeting the PCP next week to discuss these results but I would like to have an idea. My platelets were below normal
before TRT and now they are in the low but normal range. Any tip or suggestion helps

See here and posts below it for detailed information related to your questions. Very nice references linked therein.

High HGB/HCT

One thing I don't understand is the relationship between RBCs, hemoglobin and hematocrit. If hct is hgb x3, but hematocrit is the thickness due to rbc concentration...what am I missing? Hematocrit is the packed spun volume of whole blood that is made up of RBCs and is expressed as a...

www.excelmale.com

Microcytic Hypochromic Anemia - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

 

[Hectooor]

Check your iron levels. If they are low, easy fix thru diet and supplements. Will definitely make you tired and low quality RBC.

I thought it is in normal range according to blood donation center

 

[Systemlord]

If you're donating that often you're at high risk of iron deficiency.

Yep, I get phlebotomized every month and have to supplement 140 mg of iron daily.

Ferritin is the gold standard for checking on your status.

 

[Systemlord]

That would be my guess -- the body is still cranking out RBCs but they're low on hemoglobin because your iron is depleted.

Bingo, also RDW is usually elevated if iron deficient.

 

[Hectooor]

you guys ever tried or think micro dosing could help? Like instead of twice a week I inject 3-4-5 times

 

[Systemlord]

you guys ever tried or think micro dosing could help?

Jatenzo at 237 mg twice daily takes micro dosing to the next level.

I'm an outlier with regards to my high hematocrit on Jatenzo, definitely not a typical case.

 

[Hectooor]

Yep, I get phlebotomized every month and have to supplement 140 mg of iron daily.

Ferritin is the gold standard for checking on your status.

Does iron supplements have side effects? I hear it make you nauseous

 

[Systemlord]

Does iron supplements have side effects?

The iron chelated is best and is good for sensitive GI's. Some have to eat food when taking the iron or else they get GI upset.