High HCT

[bloathog21]

Before cycle hematocrit was 48 and two months later 56! Donating now. Anyone got any recommendations?

 

[HeathGT]

Drink a glass of grapefruit juice everyday. If you take any medications this may not be possible as grapefruit juice has a lot of interactions with meds. It will lower your HCT though.

 

[Ishitrainbows]

This will be a little controversial but you could try pinning ED with insulin pins. I do this due being a high metaboliser with super low SHBG but I also have an HCT problem and have found this to be a great help in keeping it down. For some reason it also seems to keep E2 down as well. I have read around and it seems that the consensus is that this is because it keeps hormone levels super stable. The belief is that it is the rise and fall of hormones over the week that contributes a lot to HCT and E2. Keeping levels stable seems to negate some of this. Might be total broscience but you don’t have anything to loose in trying ED injections for a couple of months to see for yourself

 

[bloathog21]

Thanks! Will try all that!

 

[Ishitrainbows]

BTW, if you smoke this will drive up HCT as well

 

[bloathog21]

Ishitrainbows" pid='71404' dateline='1570818061:

BTW, if you smoke this will drive up HCT as well

Don’t smoke or drink… eat a lot of red meat though

 

[Black.Beard]

bloathog21" pid='71380' dateline='1570804818:

Before cycle hematocrit was 48 and two months later 56! Donating now. Anyone got any recommendations?

A lot of places won’t take you with HCT that high.

A double red AKA packed red blood cell donation will drop you back down to range. Generally 6% decrease in HCT.

A regular whole blood donation will drop you down 2-3%.

Make sure you are well-hydrated when testing because HCT can come out elevated more if dehydrated.

Your 3 options. 1. Try to go to a blood donation center, sometimes they will reject you for high HCT. 2. Get a prescription from a doctor for a therapeutic phlebotomy. 3. Self-phlebotomy, it can actually be fairly safe if done correctly, but very scary for some people and it’s a good idea to have someone with you in case you pass out. This should be the last resort.

 

[nightrider300]

Easiest life habits to make. Drink more water everyday. Having some grapefruit will as well.

 

[stoneofbane]

Heres a few things I have noticed increased my HCT:

1. High E2
2. Lifting weights (increases it more than anything)
3. Excessive caffeine use (I drink lots of sweet tea and dark teas)

Heres a couple things that helped me lower it:

1.Time off from lifting
2. Reduction in caffeine use
3. Quarterly blood donations
4. Staying hydrated