By the way, hrdlvn. I found a LOT of science to back up what you are saying about staying in range. I guess going out of range for a short time on blast is the exception then.
here is just one source but there are so many saying to stay in range and not get to supraphysiological numbers:
From the source link below the text: The risk of reaching hematocrit >54% is determined by the duration of supraphysiologic testosterone levels, which in turn is determined by testosterone formulation (and hence pharmacokinetics) and dose.18,26,55-57 Short-acting intramuscular testosterone formulations (testosterone cypionate and testosterone enanthate) are associated with the most rapid and marked increases in testosterone levels ā and hence hematocrit elevation - with supraphysiologic testosterone levels achieved within days of an injection and a return to baseline after 10 to 14 days, followed by a decrease to sub-physiologic levels within 3 weeks if not re-injected.26,58 In contrast, other testosterone formulations that result in a slower and more stable increase in testosterone levels, such as long-acting testosterone undecanoate injections, transdermal gels and pellets, result in a low incidence of erythrocytosis that is dependent on dose and achieved testosterone level, and independent of duration of testosterone therapy.18,55,56 Long-acting testosterone undecanoate maintains stable testosterone levels within the normal range for approximately 12 weeks.59 Hemoglobin and hematocrit increase initially over the first 3-6 months of treatment but then stabilize and remain within the normal range over the entire treatment period.60,61"**https://www.nebido.com/en/hcp/research/testosterone-research/hematocrit-elevation-following-testosterone-therapy-does-it-increase-risk-of-blood-clots.php
It took me close to 3 years of playing with my T and E2 lvls before I was comfortable with blasting.
I wanted to know what low E2(low20ās) felt like as well as high E2(60ās) I wanted to know how fast my blood thickens when Free T sits at 30 when the upper range 18. I have only had to abort 1 of 4 blasts do to misjudging my HCT.
So yes when you blast you need to be ready to deal with all the bad that happens like thick blood E2 thru the roof getting your libido and ED fixed.
Note: Some guys donāget some of these side effects. There are guys out there starting their blast pretty much anemic so thicker blood helps them. Pre blast blood tests really help you determine how to start. So I guess you can see to do this safely there is a lot to do.
As far as I know the only way to reduce your HCT is donate. You do need to make sure you are extra hydrated when blasting and you need to know your ferritin before you donate. This is if you donate more than twice a year. I had to abort because I was just 40 days in my HCT was 50.1% and my ferritin was only 45 the bottom of the ferritin scale is 30 and the upper is 400. i use T cyp so I always get a mini blood when I reach steady state. More for bragging rights than anything else however this time I think it saved me.
I know the rate my HCt increases and how much I lose when donating I could not donate without crashing my ferritin so I chose to abort. Since Iām on TRT its no biggy not like screwing with a PCT.
Iāve had a 15 ferritin before and it can be worse than low E2. No energy always short of breath with the slightest exersion. I almost checked in the emergency room for a IV to boost my blood. I never want to get like that again fuck big muscles.
Everything hrdlvn says is spot on as he is a veteran now.
From my research Iād add that watching sources of iron can help other than not crashing iron if you donate, watch out for dehydration from supplements, heat and especially creatine (I stopped creatine and HCT came down), cut back alcohol and you can try grapefruit which apparently does lower HCT but may increase E2. Iām learning we are all very different and the amount of work needed to find the sweet spot is much bigger than the effort most docs will pout in. In the end, itās on you and it takes time.