I have been on TC for over 5 years with varying results, mostly positive until the last year. I have had to do a few blood donations within the last 3 years due to rising HCT. It dropped my ferritin levels to 10, range 30 - 400.
I can't get my ferritin levels up. My Mayo PCP said that if I take iron supplements it will raise HCT and put me back in a position where the levels are too high.
I'm wondering a few things:
1. Could low ferritin result in low libido or the TC not being as effective?
I know anytime a level is off in a post some forum users jump/point directly to a low or high result, even when it may not apply. I know that TC can inhibit hepcidin, which I'm told is needed to build ferritin reserves.
2. I'm considering going off TC for a few months due to some foot fusion surgery coming up in 45 days. I'm concerned about the iron and ferritin levels being a little low.
I have started HCG 500iu X 3 times weekly to try to get some testicular activity started so hopefully going off TC won't be so dramatic of a change. Does HCG inhibit hepcidin or ferritin also? If so than the ferritin probably won't come back up. Can anyone with knowledge pipe up on this please?
Labs attached. I know the free T is a tad low. I was adjusting dosage when these labs were drawn.
I can't get my ferritin levels up. My Mayo PCP said that if I take iron supplements it will raise HCT and put me back in a position where the levels are too high.
I'm wondering a few things:
1. Could low ferritin result in low libido or the TC not being as effective?
I know anytime a level is off in a post some forum users jump/point directly to a low or high result, even when it may not apply. I know that TC can inhibit hepcidin, which I'm told is needed to build ferritin reserves.
2. I'm considering going off TC for a few months due to some foot fusion surgery coming up in 45 days. I'm concerned about the iron and ferritin levels being a little low.
I have started HCG 500iu X 3 times weekly to try to get some testicular activity started so hopefully going off TC won't be so dramatic of a change. Does HCG inhibit hepcidin or ferritin also? If so than the ferritin probably won't come back up. Can anyone with knowledge pipe up on this please?
Labs attached. I know the free T is a tad low. I was adjusting dosage when these labs were drawn.
