Trying to get therapeutic phlebotomy but getting discouraged

[dand2]

I originally went to a local Testosterone clinic (Greater Washington Testosterone) to get tested. I paid 99.00 for the blood work and the appointment with the Doctor. They came back with my testosterone levels around 350, I'm 42. They recommended TRT but I thought their "membership" prices were ridiculous 299.00 per month. Benefit to them is that they are right down the street. My red blood cell count was already borderline high with their blood work but not enough that they were concerned.

So I decided to go through Defy. Spent the 250 for blood work, and then 250 for the consult to find out my red blood cell count was even higher with their test results. So they said they cannot put me on TRT until those numbers come down. My options were to donate blood or have a therapeutic phlebotomy. They wrote me a prescription. The fun begins with the fact I cannot donate blood (red cross banned me for life) when I was 19 many moons ago. None of the local places that would normally do it will do it, especially for an out of state prescription. So I feel backed into the corner and out a bunch of money. I am not blaming defy, but it looks like my only option is either Greater Washington Testosterone or start going through the process with Royal Mens as they only charge 195 a month. Greater Washington Testosterone is willing to withdraw a pint of blood to keep my levels normal until I fix the issue causing the increased red blood cell count. Dr suspects its sleep apnea, so I have a bipap on the way to see if that fixes it. I am getting discouraged as I feel like i'm just spinning my wheels and getting no where let alone having thrown 500.00 out the window with Defy just to find out they can't treat me, they certainly cant withdraw my blood through e-mail......

I still need to speak with my primary but hes not available until end of March......I'm tempted to at least temporarily go through Greater Washington for the first 2 months just to get started...but that's 600 (their minimum is to pay 2 months in advance).

Anyone else have all kinds of road blocks to getting yourself on TRT? My patience is dwindling.

 

[blackebob]

I see your frustration, but if Defy is an expert in this how do you justify blowing off their prescription? Fix the blood issue first, I cant see its worth a stroke or heart attack just to get started.

 

[dand2]

I'm not blowing off their prescription. As I mentioned, none of the Dr's here will accept a prescription from out of state....I have it I just can't use it...The local dr's here are ignorant to TRT and my primary and my urologist does not support it unless my levels are below 250. The places that DO therapeutic phlebotomy will NOT accept out of state prescriptions either.......I could go to a hematologist, but that requires a prescription from my primary...again they will also not accept out of state Dr's prescriptions they only want it from my primary Dr.

 

[blackebob]

what is yourlocation?

 

[dand2]

I'm in Maryland

 

[FeelingLost]

A quick google search for "donate blood Maryland" and over 6 places came up not associated with Red Cross. Why don't you walk into one of them?

 

[dand2]

I had called 4 additional locations in my area but they were not accepting blood at this time.....trust me I have been trying to find places. And if I need to have repeat blood draws until the sleep apnea issue is resolved I need to find a better solution than donating my blood at a bank....i have had elevated liver enzymes since I was In high school which is why the red cross won't take it....i suspect the same would happen with other blood banks if I were to try and repeat a donation.

 

[Vince]

If you start TRT your HCT will surely increase and you probably won't be able to control it. I would first find out why it's already high. I would say TRT is too dangerous for you.

 

[Tommy Wall]

Just ask Defy if they have some contacts in Maryland that could prescribe it for you.

 

[steveinky]

By any chance have you ever been tested for Hepatitis C ? That could be the cause of the elevated liver enzymes and being banned by the Red Cross. Thirty years ago Hep C was relatively unknown and the Red Cross would ban You from donating
simply due to the elevated enzymes. If you haven't been tested you should be...its an easy, inexpensive test. They even have home test kits.
SteveinKy

 

[dand2]

I believe I have because I had been seeing a liver specialist regarding the elevated liver enzymes a few times to monitor. However, it can't hurt to get tested again. I am communicating with the primary care Dr right now as none of my blood work in the past or even as recent as December showed super high red blood cell count like the blood work i had recently. So My primary is a little suspicious, perhaps the results are not accurate from the lab. I have a feeling he will be having me get more blood work to confirm. To add onto that I was taking a B12 complex supplement daily, too much b12 can make the red blood cell count go up. So I stopped taking my supplements for now.

By any chance have you ever been tested for Hepatitis C ? That could be the cause of the elevated liver enzymes and being banned by the Red Cross. Thirty years ago Hep C was relatively unknown and the Red Cross would ban You from donating
simply due to the elevated enzymes. If you haven't been tested you should be...its an easy, inexpensive test. They even have home test kits.
SteveinKy

 

[Vince Carter]

So you took that phelobotomy script to a blood bank and they would not treat you? You went in there and they said no?

 

[Nelson Vergel]

I have had a few coaching clients in MD and they all could get therapeutic phlebotomies. Let me dig a little deeper on the requirements for in-state prescriptions for that procedure, though.

 

[Vince]

If your HCT is already borderline high without trt, is there any chance that you would be able to keep it within the range, if you go on trt?

 

[dand2]

I called a number of blood banks and was told they don't do it...they weren't even sure what therapeutic phlebotomy was at a couple. The ones that did know, told me they wouldn't honor a prescription from an out of state Dr. I was told and it's even on red cross's website that they can perform a phlebotomy but when I went there they said they didn't do it. I guess it isn't that popular here. My primary says I would need to see a hematologist. But again this is the only time my red blood cell count was high, so my primary will want to do more blood work i think.

Dan

So you took that phelobotomy script to a blood bank and they would not treat you? You went in there and they said no?

 

[dand2]

Until I see a specialist about it being elevated I would have to be on repeat theraputic phlebotomy.....if i find someplace to do it... Again i can go to the local testosterone clinic and they will do it for me and monitor my blood but they are expensive as crap..

 

[dand2]

Thanks much appreciated.

I have had a few coaching clients in MD and they all could get therapeutic phlebotomies. Let me dig a little deeper on the requirements for in-state prescriptions for that procedure, though.

 

[OMI100]

something does not sound right.
https://www.redcrossblood.org/hospitals/clinical-services
Call the 1-800 number or state / regional office.
1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767)

 

[dand2]

Yep I had called them. And they claim they do not do it. I told them about their website showing they do it....trust me I have done my due diligence with trying to get it done. I'm getting blood work tomorrow morning to confirm if my numbers continue to be high. We shall see......





QUOTE=Orrin Israel;93732]something does not sound right.
https://www.redcrossblood.org/hospitals/clinical-services
Call the 1-800 number or state / regional office.
1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767)[/QUOTE]

 

[Vince Carter]

I get that a local office may defer doing phlebotomies as they aren't using the blood, it's discarded, some even charge your 30-60 because of that, their time and materials and in a blood shortage (which they always proclaim) I might think that they might just tell you they don't do it when may be they should say "won't do it" instead.