Hi Guys,
I have a question regarding elevated red blood count. Specifically, is there anything I can do about it. Specifically my count was 6.28, ref range 4.10-5.70. My hemoglobin was 17.7, ref range 13.2-17.2, and my hemocrit level was 54.7%, ref range 38.5-52.55. My test was lower than I would prefer, 680, ref range 300-890, but still on the higher end of the ref range. Everything else, including my BP and resting heart rate was really good. I feel fine. I just don’t want to have a blood clot or a stroke. My doctor’s recommendation was to change the frequency of my injections to every 3 weeks instead of the 10 day protocol I am currently on. I am really suppose to be doing a shot every 2 weeks, but I feel much better with the 10 day injections. Anyway, I obviously don’t like the idea of making my injections even less frequent. After doing some research, the only solution I can find is to do some “blood letting” on a frequent basis. Surely there must be a better way. Any thoughts?
Your doctor’s advice is beyond idiotic.
Go donate blood as often as they let you (every 3 months or so). This is akin to a therapeutic phlebotomy, but you get to help out someone in need in the process.
[quote]VTBalla34 wrote:
Your doctor’s advice is beyond idiotic.
Go donate blood as often as they let you (every 3 months or so). This is akin to a therapeutic phlebotomy, but you get to help out someone in need in the process.[/quote]
Thanks VT,
From what I have read you can give whole blood, or just the red blood cells. The trouble with just giving the rbc is that ic an be done less frequently (like twice as long.) Do you kno enough about this to make a recommendation? Whole blood frequently or just the reds but not as often?
Try both. I would go with the easiest option (whole blood) first and then pursue the RBC only option. The RBC option takes forever to perform, like an hour at least, whereas with the whole donation you are done in less than 15 minutes…
Get tested in between donations to assess your average and make your determination whether to pursue the more inconvenient donation based on that.
Forgot to mention that iron levels are a consideration for this. Donation will deplete them, so if they are already on the low side you may have an issue. Most likely with your thick blood this isn’t an issue, but be aware
[quote]VTBalla34 wrote:
Forgot to mention that iron levels are a consideration for this. Donation will deplete them, so if they are already on the low side you may have an issue. Most likely with your thick blood this isn’t an issue, but be aware[/quote]
Thanks VT,
I think I’ll try the whole blood option first, an hour seems like a long time to wait. Hopefully this will do the trick. I think my iron is pretty high, but I will check that also.
You can give whole blood every 8 weeks. I’ve been doing this since I’ve been on TRT. My hemotocrit levels have been steady at 49 each time I go in…
[quote]late2thegame wrote:
You can give whole blood every 8 weeks. I’ve been doing this since I’ve been on TRT. My hemotocrit levels have been steady at 49 each time I go in…[/quote]
Late, were your rbc’s high before you started giving? Or did you just do this as a precautionary measure?