To get an idea of your hematocric take Your hemoglobin x 3 =hematocric so your hematocric should be around 53-54%, could very well be the major cause of the elevated BP otherwise known as hematocric hyperviscosity, by a blood letting your going to reduce hema by 1 to 1.5% which will still put you 1-2% above normal, it may be advisable to reduce your weekly dose and have another letting 2 weeks later, I’ve had to do this a few times to get My RBC’s in range, with doing this over a period of time 1 year or so you begin to set a new threshold for your RBC
Big factors on helping keep your RBC in range or close too range, proper hydration, thumb through some of my post and you’ll see what I’ve done to help with this. Other things to help stay hydrated is using glycerol.
To answer your question yes you need a prescription for a therapeutic phlebotomy, although I know of several people that go in and mention nothing of TRT to have this done.
How was your potassium , bun/ creatine ratio levels?
Hopefully this was a fluke on your test and nothing serious. [quote]rbarker wrote:
KY
My typical BP readings have been ranging between 117/75 to 125/80. I went to a nephroligist(kidney Dr.)because my last blood test revealed that my eGFR was 50 so I wanted to get it checked out. While at the Drs. office he checked my BP and it was 155/90, I was dumbfounded.
He suggested that my eGFR reading was more than likely caused (along with my training regimen) by the high blood pressure, but has scheduled me for a bunch of tests that I’d rather forego if not needed. I looked at my last blood test and saw that my Hemoglobin reading is at 17.9. This is now making sense to me and I’m concerned that my TRT doc didn’t pick this up and suggest having me go for a therapeutic phlebotomy.
Do you need a prescription for a therapeutic phlebotomy or can I just go to the Red Cross and ask for it? and, how much do they typically take? Sorry for the questions, but I’m not familiar with this procedure at all and it seems as though it’s very important to the success of TRT therapy.[/quote]
I left a few things out on some of your questions, takes about 15 minutes to drain a pint of blood, just drink a lot of water before going in. Something else I do post letting for a week is take 325 mg of iron daily to build my stores back up, you may ask your doctor for a TIBC with ferritn levels checked to see if this may fit you?
Also No need to be Sorry for asking.
KY,
Thanks for the information; I printed and wrote down (quoted) your advice to my Dr. this morning and he is on board with what I (you) proposed. My blood test showed that my eGFR has gotten better (just under 60). My Hemaglobin is at 16.9 and BP at 135/80, so I seem to be improving somewhat.
I’m eliminating protein supplements and will add some more fats to my diet for the time being, the Dr. says protein supps and my high protein no/low carb diet has been making my kidneys work very hard (too hard), which creates some of my problem.
Anyway, thanks for the advice and information, I’m very appreciative.
RB
[quote]KYinchampaign wrote:
I had to have my doctor FAX to my insurance company a reason why it was medically necessary, Its been a very useful tool with management of TRT
http://www.cliawaived.com/cf.inventory.htm?action=showinvone&invid=2101&head=Hgb%20Pro%20Meter%20Promo%20100&key=hgb%20pro%20hemoglobin%20test%20meterHgb%20Pro%20Meter%20Promo%20100&desc=HGB%20Pro%20is%20a%20Professional%20Hemoglobin%20Testing%20System®.%20It%20is%20portable%20and%20easy%20to%20use.%20Simply%20insert%20a%20test%20strip%20into%20the%20meter,%20and%20place%20a%20small%20drop%20of%20blood%20onto%20the%20strip.%20Since%20the%20Hgb%20Pro%20is%20self-calibrating,%20no%20additional%20calibration%20is%20required.%20This%20offer%20includes%201%20HGB%20pro%20meter%20and%20100%20testing%20strips.%20(Not%20For%20Patient%20Use%20or%20Self%20Testing)%20FDA%20Cleared%20and%20CLIA%20Waived.%20(FDA%20510K#:%20K023561)$349.95
[quote]davidcox1 wrote:
[quote]KYinchampaign wrote:
[quote]PureChance wrote:
but this only if you have blood tests showing that your hemocrit or hemoglobin above a certain level, correct?[/quote]
I Have a hemoglobin tester at home, three days after and the day off my weekly injection I check to see where my hemo is if 16.4 or higher then I back off dose to half call and set up an appointment at the Red cross for a therapeutic phlebotomy, if timing is right mid week I adjust dosage that way I’m in a normal hormonal state.
[/quote]
Great idea. What hemoglobin tester do you use and where did you get it?[/quote]
[/quote]
Tried to order this today, but apparently the manufacturer stopped making them (expects to resume in 2012). In the mean time, the distributor has recommended two other comparable models. Just thought I’d post this in case anyone else is trying to do the same thing.
Thats good to hear, yes High protein /No- low Carb diets IMO unless your going to compete for a BB Competitions, should only be done for a week at a time, maybe a few times a year, to many people get caught up on high protein / low -no Carb diets, can become unhealthy for some, not all. Well we probably shouldn’t hijack this thread, being off topic, but yet informational.
Best of luck to you.
[quote]rbarker wrote:
KY,
Thanks for the information; I printed and wrote down (quoted) your advice to my Dr. this morning and he is on board with what I (you) proposed. My blood test showed that my eGFR has gotten better (just under 60). My Hemaglobin is at 16.9 and BP at 135/80, so I seem to be improving somewhat.
I’m eliminating protein supplements and will add some more fats to my diet for the time being, the Dr. says protein supps and my high protein no/low carb diet has been making my kidneys work very hard (too hard), which creates some of my problem.
Anyway, thanks for the advice and information, I’m very appreciative.
RB[/quote]