+ 2 Hematocrit Question
Does anyone have any experience or advice on dealing with rising HCT levels? Over the past few months my HCT has risen from 49.4 to 50 to 51.3. The recent jump from 50 to 51.3 is an increase of test cyp (120mg per week to 140mg) and the addition of primo (105mg per week). I'm currently pinning every day. Still awaiting the E2 results but I am anticipating a drop with the addition of primo from the 85 I was at. I monitor my hydration intake and have recently increasing the cardio intensity (I was doing the stair master and keeping my heart rate in between 125 bmp - 145 bmp for an average of 10 minutes 3 times a week) but with the high HCT reading, I started run/walking again to get the heart pumping more. Maybe not enough cardio? I monitor my blood pressure (everyday readings in the AM) and I am within range. Any advice or input is appreciated.
Test Cyp (Genero Test C200): 140mg per week (everyday pin)
Pharma Prim 100: 105mg per week (everyday pin)
Retatrutide: 2mg per week (one dose every Sunday)
GH (Keys Goldtrope 400IU kit): 2IU everyday
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Stop, no, don’t. Your bloods are fine. You’re taking real hormones and changes in your bloodwork are to be expected. Any of your values that are out of range are barely relevant. You need your blood, don’t get into that habit. Do you not think that guys that are donating blood every ) weeks “like the pros do” aren’t going to run into trouble down the road? There’s a difference between what most do and a competitive cycle. Keep your blood.
Bloods look really good IMO man. Do you take your bloodwork in the AM before having much liquid? I try to make sure I’ve had atleast 2-3 glasses/bottles of water in the morning prior to bloodwork. I feel like it gives a more accurate hematocrit level to what I am fully hydrated compared to waking up dehydrated.
Thanks man, I know I'm not that far out of range but trying to find ways to keep it as optimal as possible while altering my hormones. I've always scheduled my labs first thing in the morning (6AM ish) and drink the recommended 2 cups (I usually drink much more upon waking) prior to the draw. Next blood draw, I'm going to hydrate how I typically start my day and see how it goes.
10 minutes of cardio 3 times a week? Cmon we can do better than that. I think thats the easy place to start, double that number and add an extra 2 liters of water I bet you'd see a good change
Bro you're right. Ya hit me with that truth. I'll get after it!
Outside of range is above 51.1, you’re at 51.3, hydration is important but you have nothing to be concerned about here.
Donating blood keeps mine in check. I donate whole blood every 60 days and mine stays perfect now. Also drinking a gallon of water a day helps too.
My most recent bloods were 53% which apparently is borderline for a doctor to “start” to worry but most users here and in other groups say 55-56% is the mark to worry just depends.
That was running 400mg test e 300npp 30mg tbol.
I dropped to 250 test 200 primo no npp no orals.
4 weeks to go and we’ll see what the hct change will be.
Weird how everyone responds differently my hemo was at 43 before gear now 44 after 200mg of test weekly for 6 weeks not crazy, but drink more water before your test ? Donating blood is counter intuitive from the explanation of chase irons and vigorous steve
Jrihard89Steve is a fucking idiot. I’ve watched a lot this week because people quote him. He’s an idiot. Sorry but everything I’ve learned from big name coach in my state that I’m old friends with. Steve does the opposite.
Ones a tiktok doofus and the other well, has turned many Pros and he’s known as the guy to put on size for off seasons on people
Whats your reasoning behind calling him an idiot i think he has some solid advice
Jrihard89I mean for one saying donating blood doesn’t work… it’s been well studied it works.
I’ll dig up the other videos I just chuckled at. I just can’t stand the tiktok dudes like Sam S too. Awful diet and pump drugs like the tren twins
Pm some vids you dont agree with pretty open minded trying to absorb everything i can at the moment.
How’s all that big name advice treating you? 300lbs 30% BF maybe get your house in order before casting aspersions on others.
Jrihard89LOL we have seen what you looked like on anvils tele. Dudes fucking 150lbs soaking wet and thinks hes big. You have the arms of a transitioning teen
Why not post up on here? Knowing you’ll be dogged for it. You have 0 fucking clue what I look like rn. Just a faggot who thinks TikTok influencers know all.
You’re off by about 110lbs buddy. Your eyes must work about as well as your brain. I never defended tiktokers, you’re right to be skeptical of them.
You messaged me asking for a forum with better info than here. Somewhere with current advice and not stuck in old-head ways. Then you find your way to one and all you want to talk about is what you were 10 years ago. You’re encouraged to be open minded to new ways of doing things but have a personal meltdown about it.
I’m sorry your feelings got hurt buddy. Hope you feel better soon.
Jrihard89LOL you’re not 255 don’t make me share that selfie. You’re a twig. Like all the other dudes. That gag beard muscle on there bumping gear and looking tiny as fuck. LOL. Bunch of idiots.
Nah, that’s not how it went. Someone asked rear delt training and I offered advice. But because I competed 9 years ago it is invalid? You’re a moron. News flash, your open minded shit hasn’t done anything for yall. I spoke to some in that group I know who laugh because all yall are tiny as fuck.
Now you’re on here pretending to be something you’re not. It’s March, I’ll be nice to you when it’s pride month.
LMFAOO Sounds about right - the Gobshite who was telling me how it is the other day.
Jrihard89Poor dude. I got kicked from his gay boy tele group for anvil. All because I offered advice when someone asked on rear delt exercises. And they all said training has changed in 9 years and I don’t know shit. Lol. Drugs and diet? Sure new ideas. But training is training is training
Not that I've ever trained to target rear delts as such - but I always find Deads, Barbell rows and medium width pull ups make mine really sore.
Try not to take Youtubers and TikTok people as the ultimate decision. They say shit and will say opposite of popular opinion just to get more views because that is how they get paid. Research and learn in a broad way of sources.
Good point, everyones different and has to figure out their body
That is normal being on gear for HCT increase. I would not even worry about it until you get to around 55 or higher. People who live at higher altitudes have a normal HCT at 53.
Hydration can help and cardio and if it gets to high donate some blood or reduce the gear down some.
Hey, did I just tip you into the Gold Banner?!!
Yes sir
CONGRATULATIONS MATE!!! You are a somebody now. Honestly I was ecstatic all those years ago when I got that!!
It actually use to be that if you got an upvote from someone with over around 4k Karma that it registered as 2 points and not 1, but it got changed when the new karma system came in.
Thanks buddy. Yeah it's so hard to get comment karma because a lot of guys do not vote on the comments. Took me forever to finally get the Gold banner.
The Key to comment karma is to have a lot of friends matey!!! LMFAOO
Or should I say, have a healthy No. of Friends vs Enemies
I seem to make enemies here and there because I like to tell dipshits off. LMAO
Jrihard89Yeah take it from me. I never ever call people walnuts and idiots. Lol
Or at least only do it to the ones who are in negative karma LMAO
Guys can we stop fighting it reminds me of my two dads.
A lot of good info below, I have the same problem. I notice that daily water intake plays a huge role. I also donate blood at the Red Cross every 8 weeks which is very therapeutic for high numbers.
Smoking and alcohol consumption also play a huge role in high numbers. So if you are doing either of these, then drop it.
What I am finding more interesting here are your two eGFR readings.
Now the normal one using Creatinine levels is nice and high at 96, but yet the supposed more accurate reading using Cystatin C is down at 74. Now I would expect that result to be the other way round here seen as creatinine is heavily dependant on creatine levels, muscle mass, diet and recent training exertion.
Do you smoke or have any thyroid issues?
I do not smoke. I hope I don't have a thyroid issue! I'll have to look into that.
I'm not saying I think you have a health issue or anything mate, its just normally the cystatin C generated eGFR would be the higher of the 2 at least to me anyway.
@Pandateston what do you reckon mate?
@SeeOhShow
@irongame427
Let's see who's the fastest to respond LMAO
From my experience that HCT jump isn’t surprising at all with the Test increase + adding Primo. Both stimulate erythropoiesis. Going from 49 to 51 isn’t uncommon on androgens. Usually once you’re pushing past ~52% (some hardcore guys tolerate closer to 54, but that’s not really the case here) it’s time to start managing it more actively.
@JameisChrist
Few simple things we all know that usually help:
Donate blood if eligible (fastest fix … just don’t overdo it, because the body may compensate by producing RBC faster)
Stay well hydrated (at least a gallon a day)
Consistent cardio 20–30 min, not just short bursts
Some guys use grapefruit / naringin or baby aspirin … more supportive than a true fix
Telmisartan is an add on but I’m not a doctor. I mean I’m doctor Panda it doesn’t count much lol (I’m on Telmisartan 40mg daily)
Your doses are actually pretty moderate, so this might just be individual response.
My bro @press1…
On the kidney marker discussion, I tend to agree with the IronGame and SeeOhShow above. In muscular lifters creatinine-based eGFR often reads artificially low due to muscle mass, training, and higher protein intake. Cystatin-C is usually the cleaner marker.
If in this case the cystatin eGFR came back lower, I’d honestly just retest before overthinking it. Labs fluctuate and supplements can skew results.
If BP is good, hydration markers look fine, and you feel good, I wouldn’t panic. Just monitor and pull another set of labs soon.
Cystatin C would be higher normally for larger/more muscular folks who train hard and often. Wonder what his hsCRP looks like
Doesn’t look like a hydration issue based on other markers.
I’d do a retest of just Cystatin C before being worried though. Never know what supplements or vitamins cause false flag issues with bloodwork.
MMmmmm I wonder if its because he's not that heavy compared to most using gear.
This is weird. Lower cystatin C EGFR vs creatinine is common in old frail people which OP is not I don’t think. Based on his stats he’s carrying plenty of muscle such that his creatinine eGFR should be lower, plus presumably a high protein diet and training.
It may just be a fluke. I wouldn’t put to much thought into it until he gets another set of bloods.
On another note idk why different labs have such a different normal range for eGFR. It’s widely accepted that eGFR below 90 is not normal. But so many labs say anything above 60 is normal. The one I use uses 90 as the low end of normal.
I know right - Really odd results for someone who trains and uses gear??
Yep I have noticed this also - it seems many of the US Blood Tests state that anything over 60 is fine, but over here anything less than 90 and that's classed as Stage 1 Kidney Disease. When I see eGFR's on here it doesn't catch my attention till its 70 and below, you often see low 80's from someone at the end of a cycle etc. Seems that you can have a pretty low eGFR too being around 60 as long as it doesn't come with protein in urine because then the Docs get concerned as the filters are leaking.
It’s probably because most Americans are fat and unhealthy, and the majority have eGFRs below 90 so if they used 90 and above as normal they’d be forced to admit 75% of adults are in stage 2 of CKD. We are so unhealthy as a country. But now we have a new solution for that, GLP-1s. You can continue to eat crap and live a sedentary life style and take this drug and it I’ll make you lose weight. Such an American solution to obesity lol. Even if it was developed by a European country, they know what we like.
Mate have you seen the Netflix Documentary currently on there atm all about the Mounjaro pens and GLP's??!! Literally states the same thing, has all these Fat cunts on there bragging about their usage and the fact they can still be lazy but lose weight. Has the guy on there who developed it too.
One thing that confuses me, always has, is guys “prepare” for a blood test. Back off compounds, over hydrate, etc… it’s not trying to fool a physician to get a testosterone prescription or bumping your levels up for a review, when you get bloods drawn you want to be at homeostasis, unless otherwise directed by your physician. Doing everything you possibly can during the week before your blood test is counterproductive to get an accurate panel for your overall health. One could argue that you’d want to see what a very average week looks like? It’s not changing your brake pads, fresh oil, and engine compartment steam to get your car valued, for a general physical you want the real average. Striving for perfect numbers via preparation two weeks leading up to a blood draw is retarded. “Look, I fasted for five days, ate nothing but magnesium and potassium supplements, a gallon of water a day, protein shakes and glucose, my bloods are perfect!” In reality they’re not. Just be hydrated and get honest bloodwork done.
Especially if it’s your private blood test. Then the only person who’s looking at it is you, so who are you fooling? I try to go into mine like it’s any old day. The only thing I do differently is drink a little more water than I normally would by that time of the morning. Not a ton more though.
Cardio, plus hydration
Daily pins. ED injections brought mine from 58% to 53% with no other changes.
Nice man! These labs reflect ED injections. I might just have to decrease my test dose if it keeps climbing.
Ahhh gotcha. Sorry I didn't even read it all and you did mention that. 51% isn't the worst imo. Natty mine is 51% living at 6,000ft. 53% on blast now and I'm happy with that.
Yeah, I'm hoping it just tappers off. It blows my mind that I'm pushing 1100 total testosterone having this issue, but I see other people's bloodwork, and they're double my total test levels and staying within HCT range.