High HCT

bobcat · Dec 30, 2015

My latest HCT results are 54.6. My Kaiser endo wants me to stop TRT for two weeks then retest. Don't want to stop TRT for two weeks! Any suggestions? Thanks.

CoastWatcher · Dec 30, 2015

bobcat said:
My latest HCT results are 54.6. My Kaiser endo wants me to stop TRT for two weeks then retest. Don't want to stop TRT for two weeks! Any suggestions? Thanks.

https://www.excelmale.com/forum/sho...ne-Replacement-Therapy&highlight=polycythemia

Blood draw - either through the Red Cross or have your doctor order a therapeutic phlebotomy.

Vince · Dec 30, 2015

bobcat said:
My latest HCT results are 54.6. My Kaiser endo wants me to stop TRT for two weeks then retest. Don't want to stop TRT for two weeks! Any suggestions? Thanks.

Yes, I agree with Coast, don't stop TRT. Start donating blood every 8 weeks, like Coast said you can get a script from your doctor. If they can't use your blood.

CoastWatcher · Dec 30, 2015

Certain men on TRT see their hematocrit and hemoglobin rise to the point that an intervention is necessary. A blood draw is the only way to deal with it. Stopping your testosterone is NOT the way to deal with it - your instincts were correct.

ERO · Dec 30, 2015

Yes, agree 100% with Vince and CoastWatcher - Just donate blood ASAP and do not stop TRT.

Loki · Dec 30, 2015

Mine was in your range one time, donated blood only once and have been fine ever since....

Les · Dec 31, 2015

Donate a unit of blood to get yourself back into range. I have heard too many bad things about stopping and restarting therapy. Doctor can also write a prescription to draw the blood and then discard it if not eligible to donate. Don't stop your trt!!!

OMI100 · Dec 31, 2015

CK your local blood bank's web site and research the meds that have an impact on you being a walk-in donor. There are some cases where meds you may be on will exclude you from donating. You may have to stop other meds for a predetermined amount of time before they will take your blood. If you are on meds that stop you from donating you can go the therapeutic phlebotomy route. In my case I had to go that route and the local blood bank had it's own therapeutic phlebotomy form that I needed to down load, fill out, and get my PCP to sign and fax to the blood banks home office first, for prior approval for the local blood bank to do the draw. There was also a minimal cost for the draw (therapeutic phlebotomy). I think $20 or $30. Not much... And I even got the Tee shirt

Helboi · Jan 1, 2016

Orrin Israel said:
There was also a minimal cost for the draw (therapeutic phlebotomy). I think $20 or $30. Not much... And I even got the Tee shirt

It's much more expensive for me...costs $150 each time...ouch. Feels like I'm being cheated considering the materials used and the time it takes.

OMI100 · Jan 1, 2016

A $150.00 at a blood bank? Not here in my part of Alabama at LifeSouth... http://www.lifesouth.org/

OMI100 · Jan 1, 2016

Hmmmmm Thinking it may pay to shop around for a therapeutic phlebotomy if you have more than one organization that collects blood in your area. Have no idea if the Red Cross has a side deal with LifeSouth? Looking at the Red Cross web site, it tells me they have a donation center in Montgomery and Mobile... Not in my area. They do have blood donation drives with the bus at various locations, dates and times? http://www.redcrossblood.org/alabama So in my case LifeSouth is local and reasonable. Have no idea what the Red Cross charges around here for a therapeutic phlebotomy?
Hmmmm Just looked at the locations that LifeSouth has, and there is overlap and a LOT more bricks and mortar locations to donate blood than the Red Cross....

Vince · Jan 1, 2016

I don't know if this post will help, but it might be worth reading. https://www.excelmale.com/forum/sho...otomy-local-Quest-and-Labcorp-refuse-to-do-it

Helboi · Jan 2, 2016

Orrin Israel said:
A $150.00 at a blood bank? Not here in my part of Alabama at LifeSouth... http://www.lifesouth.org/

Yep, it's crazy. I also checked a hospital and they were about $10 more. Neither LabCorp or Quest does it. Not sure where else to shop around for better prices.