Blood donation also mitigate hematocrit issues.
I would advise you to stop repeating what other people tell you, take what I say with a grain of salt and do your own research and come to your own conclusions!
If there is a study showing increased hematocrit causes strokes, I’d like you to provide it so we can put this to bed once and for all.
For the record, I don’t expect you will provide such a study because none exists.
Glenn Cunningham. Dr. Abraham Morgantaler, asked him both on stage and in person where did you come up with 54% cut off for HCT for TRT? His answer was, “we actually don’t have much data to say anything but we had to pick a number and it seemed like a reasonable number.”
With a secondary erythrocytosis there is an increase in blood volume which enlarges the vascular bed, decreases peripheral resistance and increases cardiac output. Therefore, in a secondary erythrocytosis optimal oxygen transport with increased blood volume occurs at a higher hematocrit value than with a normal blood volume. A moderate increase in hematocrit may be beneficial despite the increased viscosity.
There are over 80 million people that live higher than 2,500 meters and they develop a secondary erythrocytosis. Men in parts of Bolivia for instance have a normal range of HCT from 45-61%. These men are not at an increased risk of thrombotic events nor do they have to undergo phlebotomies to manage their hematocrit.
College of hematology advances in hematology, position statement:
No evidence exists that a high hematocrit is harmful, or is there a direct cause of thrombosis in testosterone induced erythrocytosis.
College of hematology put a position statement, no risk of deep vein thrombosis, in men on TRT. Cleveland the Mayo Clinic in 2018. TRT is not associated with the deep vein thrombosis or blood clots.
My endocrinologist’s take on my 58.5% hematocrit →
I can’t tell you at what level of hematocrit is too high for you, but this is pretty high. I’d recommend at least monthly monitoring of your levels at least for the Hgb/Hct.
No phlebotomy! My energy levels are endless!
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I just donate because I am a universal donor, it feels good, and lowers my hematocrit. Mine is typically around 49 on 140mg per week.
My maternal grandfather was recognized for donating over six gallons of blood in his lifetime and that kind of set the bar for me. I have shared that with my son and now he is on a quest to beat the six gallons as well.
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Ive been wondering about this observation too.
There’s probably some truth in it but only when co-morbidity factors of arterial plaque build up/calcification are present too?
You could imagine thicker blood would struggle to pass through already restricted blood vessels but on its own, unlikely to be a problem?
Then the TRT wouldn’t be the “cause” of the stroke, the co-morbidity condition would be. Slap a high performance engine into a bust up chassis and watch it fall apart!
The vascular bed expands to account for the increase viscosity. If, for some reason, the vascular bed doesn’t expand like it should, due to disease progression, that would be a failure of the vascular system.
Studies showed increased nitric oxide levels in animal models with 85% hematocrit with nitric oxide in the blood that could inhibit vasoconstriction and platelet activation.
These genetically altered mice lived longer and more active, healthy lives than the control group.
As it turn out, the symptoms that I initially thought was related to low testosterone is apparently related to my high SHBG. The symptoms associated with high SHBG explain a lot about my symptoms.
- Testosterone: 19.9nmol/l
- Free Testosterone: 0.248nmol/l
- SHBG: 67.2nmol/l
- Albumin48.5g/l
So it seems that there are some solutions to address this such as supplementing Boron or Proviron… Winstrol or TRT ( shutting off own natural production and saturating SHBG to increase free testosterone.
Any suggestions?
I would try Proviron in isolation 1st👍
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Considering this but would Proviron also shut down natural Testosterone production too ?
Not in my experience of using it outside of TRT.
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Can running between 40 and 70 miles a week have an impact in regards to a high SHBG ?
That’s not right, SHBG doesn’t lower FT. Androgens lower SHBG, so low-T is a reason for high SHBG.
This wouldn’t do anything. Boron doesn’t increase LH and therefore testosterone. Independant changes in SHBG has nothing to do with testosterone production, LH is the main driver of testosterone, not SHBG.
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This idea that SHBG lowers FT is a false idea.
Things that will decrease testosterone production and increase SHBG, endurance training, starvation diets.
It’s never just one thing, it’s multifactorial.
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So would TRT dose be beneficial if I want to keep running, suggestions appreciated ?
So could this possibly be symptoms of Male Athlete Triad ?
The only thing i can be sure of is yes, endurance athletics/running are hard on the body, especially at our age, 50+. Why exactly is crystal ball territory.
Nobody can say whether TRT will help you, too many other factors involved but you could give it a try and see how you feel, thats the only way of knowing.
I personally dont think you will get much out of it if you stick to strictly TRT doses.
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If I went down the self administered TRT route, then would look to gradually move total testosterone and free testosterone up to the higher normal range, from what I gather this would result in a lower SHBG.
With more free testosterone available then mood, libido, motivation and recovery would be better.
Thats the theory 
I get it 
and the pit falls!
No harm in giving it a go, you can always stop if it doesnt suit you
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