High hematocrit, hemoglobin, RBC

[Nico Cujo]

My latest labs were:
RBC (Red Blood Cells) (4.6-6.2): 5.77
Hemoglobin (14-18): 17.9
Hematocrit (41%-50%): 51.4

The doc is worried about the high counts. I've been off TRT for 12 weeks.
I feel fine, nothing out of the ordinary. Should the doc be overly concerned since the results are
on the high side? He's mentioning polycythemia vera and hemochromaosis. I think he's overeacting. I train heavy and hard. BTW, my BP is 110/70 and my heart rate is 62.

Should I be concerned with these results?

Thanx,
Nico

[griffinannie]

I had similar numbers and my doc just told me to donate blood once a quarter.

[JanSz]

Originally Posted by Nico Cujo

My latest labs were:
RBC (Red Blood Cells) (4.6-6.2): 5.77
Hemoglobin (14-18): 17.9
Hematocrit (41%-50%): 51.4

The doc is worried about the high counts. I've been off TRT for 12 weeks.
I feel fine, nothing out of the ordinary. Should the doc be overly concerned since the results are
on the high side? He's mentioning polycythemia vera and hemochromaosis. I think he's overeacting. I train heavy and hard. BTW, my BP is 110/70 and my heart rate is 62.

Should I be concerned with these results?

Thanx,
Nico

Blood donations.
But I would do blood test month or 6 weeks latter to figure out how often.
I think bobbyn on the other board is doing it, may want to PM him.
One of his posts here:
http://anabolicminds.com/forum/858040-post1.html

[cpeil2]

Originally Posted by JanSz

Blood donations.
But I would do blood test month or 6 weeks latter to figure out how often.
I think bobbyn on the other board is doing it, may want to PM him.
One of his posts here:
http://anabolicminds.com/forum/858040-post1.html

You're borderline. I would watch and wait. Make sure you're well-hydrated the next time you test.


Think about daily aspirin to reduce risk of clotting from increased blood viscosity.

[HeadDoc]

definitely, do the blood donations. That or get your doc to give you an order for a therapeutic phlebotomy. I do about three donations a year.

[Nico Cujo]

Thanx for the replies guys. I think the doc's digging where he doesn't need to.
I think I'd rather do the phlebotomies every 2-3 months...they help others too.

[BeamMeUpScotty]

Originally Posted by Nico Cujo

Thanx for the replies guys. I think the doc's digging where he doesn't need to.
I think I'd rather do the phlebotomies every 2-3 months...they help others too.

I think that Dr C uses the cut-off figures for TRT as 55 for Hematocrit and 18 (or 18.5?.. can't recall) for hemoglobin. So you're at the high end but not critical. In fact, your numbers are almost the exact same as mine. Mine are just a few tenths of a point lower. I keep them there by donating to the Red Cross religiously every 8 weeks (being O-Neg, they LOVE to see me).

Also, being well hydrated before testing is critical. I let myself go without keeping track of my water intake and then went for a afternoon blood draw after a long bike ride... and that was the one time that my Hematocrit levels were over a 51 point something... they were around 54.1. Next time (and every time since then) I have insured that I was well hydrated (plus hydrated blood vessels help in the IV insertion process) and levels went back down to the 50 - 51 level.

[Nico Cujo]

I didn't realize hydration was so important. I'll make sure and remember that in 4 weeks cuz I don't want to go back. Thanx for all the info.