Hi guys, I was wondering if I should donate because of my high hematocrit but I don't want to dump my ferritin any lower. My iron is normal any of you have any ideas about this?
Donate? Yes or no. High hematocrit low ferritin
- Thread starter Auggie68
- Start date
Had a similar issue. My Endocrinologist has me get a phlebotomy when my HCT reaches 52. He does not think this puts me in any greater risk.
I’m 65 and have been on HRT for 6 years without any complications.
Advice: I see my Endocrinologist quarterly with a complete blood chemistry. He and I keep a close watch on the numbers to get ahead of any potential problems.
Do you recommend Iron supplements? My hemi tends to run at high end. But never like this. I've missed a couple donations due to Covid closure of blood center
Vince
Super Moderator
I would start with supplementing vitamin c. If you don't already. There are supplements that combine to both, vitamin c and iron.
Vince
Super Moderator
Here's a cool thread by @HealthMan.
www.excelmale.com
My experiment with IP6 (Iron chelator)
My serum iron was a bit elevated during my last bloodwork and I dediced to try some IP6 (1000mg a day on VERY empty stomach with a full glass of water). After a little over 1 month my serum iron dropped by half. If I still had high HCT issues I would definitely try IP6. As an iron chelator in...
www.excelmale.com
madman
Super Moderator
post #4
Is TRT dangerous?
Just met with a local highly regarded endocrinologist because I wanted his take on my TRT situation. Been on TRT for 6 months and have had elevated hematocrit (54-55%) and hemoglobin (18’s) the whole time. He said what I’m doing (TRT) is dangerous and I’m at higher risk for heart attack and...
www.excelmale.com
Definitely need to get your ferritin up.
How do you feel overall?
Most would donate >54% and even then many will tend to donate when levels hit the low 50s most likely due to fear of having high levels.
*the clinical significance of a hematocrit >54% is unknown
If you had a healthy ferritin 100-150 ng/mL your RBCs/hemoglobin/hematocrit would be even higher.
As you very well know donating too often can lead to crashing your ferritin/iron.
Do you smoke or suffer from sleep apnea?
What is your protocol (dose T/injection frequency) and more importantly where does your trough FT (using an accurate assay) level sit on such protocol?
Most men on trt who are struggling with elevated RBCs/hemoglobin/hematocrit are due to running too high an FT level.
madman
Super Moderator
Nothing healthy about running around with crashed ferritin.
madman
Super Moderator
Okay, now I see you are still at this!
post #5
High hematocrit but low iron and ferritin
Hey guys I am currently on trt and my hematocrit runs high so I donate as frequently as I can but my hematocrit always creeps up. My question is my iron gets too low what should I do. Iron raises hemo too.
www.excelmale.com
It's been a year since you were asked yet you still never posted a full set of labs trough TT, FT, estradiol let alone where your SHBG sits?
Yet you are still struggling with the same issues.
I think the high free test is the problem. I was using proviron for a while. But have discontinued recentlypost #4
Is TRT dangerous?
Just met with a local highly regarded endocrinologist because I wanted his take on my TRT situation. Been on TRT for 6 months and have had elevated hematocrit (54-55%) and hemoglobin (18’s) the whole time. He said what I’m doing (TRT) is dangerous and I’m at higher risk for heart attack and...
Definitely need to get your ferritin up.
How do you feel overall?
Most would donate >54% and even then many will tend to donate when levels hit the low 50s most likely due to fear of having high levels.
*the clinical significance of a hematocrit >54% is unknown
If you had a healthy ferritin 100-150 ng/mL your RBCs/hemoglobin/hematocrit would be even higher.
As you very well know donating too often can lead to crashing your ferritin/iron.
Do you smoke or suffer from sleep apnea?
What is your protocol (dose T/injection frequency) and more importantly where does your trough FT (using an accurate assay) level sit on such protocol?
Most men on trt who are struggling with elevated RBCs/hemoglobin/hematocrit are due to running too high an FT level.
Madman. I didn't check hormones this most recent labs. But I think I may have found the answer....free test too high from Proviron useOkay, now I see you are still at this!
post #5
High hematocrit but low iron and ferritin
Hey guys I am currently on trt and my hematocrit runs high so I donate as frequently as I can but my hematocrit always creeps up. My question is my iron gets too low what should I do. Iron raises hemo too.
It's been a year since you were asked yet you still never posted a full set of labs trough TT, FT, estradiol let alone where your SHBG sits?
Yet you are still struggling with the same issues.
I appreciate all the feedback. Answer is I need to be more exact with my TRT. I was experimenting with auxiliary compounds
madman
Super Moderator
What is your current protocol (dose T/injection frequency)?
You need to get labs done to see where your trough TT, FT, and estradiol levels sit on your current protocol.
You were on a whopping dose of T 200 mg/week previously which would most likely have your FT level through the roof.
Doubting it is just due to the addition of Proviron.
You have been struggling with elevated blood markers for a long time.
madman
Super Moderator
Hard to believe you are flying blind here.
Blood work is critical and you need to know where your trough TT, FT, estradiol let alone SHBG sits.
Systemlord
Member
My endo is less concerned with hematocrit and more concerned with the hemoglobin which is mildly elevated.
I would get the opinion from the appropriate doctor, a hematologist.
My hematocrit can get as high as 57% and hemoglobin 19.2 on my current protocol an why I get a phlebotomy every 6 to 8 weeks.
I also will become anemic if I don't supplement 140mg of iron on TRT.
I also have suspected sleep apnea which can also increase the hemoglobin and hematocrit.
Systemlord
Member
If you tell them you're on TRT they will ban you from donating blood, if you don't tell them then you can donate.
That is absolutely not true. I have been a medical supervisor at a blood bank and I now work in organ donation. Being on prescribed TRT is not a deferral reason.
One of the questions is the injection of recreational drugs or steroids. They don’t mean injection of prescribed TRT. The idea is that if prescribed both the meds and needles are obtained from a pharmacy or medical supply company and therefore are not a risk of blood born pathogens like if you got your gear and needles from a Bro at the the gym.
Systemlord
Member
Then it would seem the average person doesn't know the difference between anabolic synthetic steroids and steroid hormones. I have heard of guys being denied donating blood do to disclosing they are on TRT.
So will the blood donation centers discard the blood of someone on TRT?
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