Testosterone and High Red Blood Cell count

[Wilson6]

Probably a good idea to wait and be sure. My guess if you had primary erythrocytosis you would have already experienced blood clotting issues with previous use. Dr Charles Glueck, expert on blood disorders/endocrinology says that it usually happens in the 1st 2-3 month of of use. Also remember also as we age, it takes less of most drugs to be effective. Might be just lowering the normal dosage some will help your doctor be more comfortable.

BT, I don't think she has taken anything yet, right @AJohnson ?

 

[Wilson6]

And how might we figure that out?
I want to build muscle especially a booty and my sex drive is in the toilet.

How might we figure this out?
I want to take Testosterone because I want to build muscle especially a booty and I am afraid I won’t be able too with my test so low. Also my sex drive is in the toilet.
I am open to other avenues and ideas if you have them.
I have a bottle of Testosterone right now but I want to make sure it won’t be dangerous for me to take

That's why your doc is looking at JAK2. Rule out a mutation first, then decide on the T.

 

[Bigtex]

And how might we figure that out?
I want to build muscle especially a booty and my sex drive is in the toilet.

My wife is 63 years old and a former IFBB pro heavy weight division. She has the same concerns and goals. Research has shown women with low sex drive and T levels can solve the problem using a topical testosterone - 150 or 300 mcg/day (0.15mg - 0.3mg) transdermal. My wife got some test base raw or your can even use a propionate raw and do the same thing mixing it with a few drops of BA and a few drops of DMSO. My wife actually used 15mg of test base raw. She usually combines that with anavar or some times T-bol orals. Blood work is good and no issues with HCT. Transdermal usually have the least effect on HCT.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2050116115300696

https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article-abstract/86/6/2395/2848502?redirectedFrom=fulltext

https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM200009073431002

 

[Bigtex]

BT, I don't think she has taken anything yet, right @AJohnson ?

Good question. I just assumed if she was a bodybuilder and she has used testosterone previously. But then I also missed the "female" part. If this is the fist time, and the HCT is already slightly high, the JACK2 test is a must. Especially at 50 years old.

Here is another good read directed at women low low sex drive:

https://www.testosteronewisdom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/omen-sexdrive.pdf

 

[AJohnson]

Probably a good idea to wait and be sure. My guess if you had primary erythrocytosis you would have already experienced blood clotting issues with previous use. Dr Charles Glueck, expert on blood disorders/endocrinology says that it usually happens in the 1st 2-3 month of of use. Also remember also as we age, it takes less of most drugs to be effective. Might be just lowering the normal dosage some will help your doctor be more comfortable.

Yeah I used to be on Hormone pellets with Estrogen and Testosterone with my Test levels up to 200 , I felt great! I also did a cycle of Anavar at that time and got my blood work done and my RBC was elevated so not which source was the issue but my primary dr suggested I get off because he scared me. But I really want to get back on

 

[AJohnson]

BT, I don't think she has taken anything yet, right @AJohnson ?

Yes I have taken Testosterone pellets, and cream and a round of anavar in the past with no physical issues and no blood clotting

 

[AJohnson]

My wife is 63 years old and a former IFBB pro heavy weight division. She has the same concerns and goals. Research has shown women with low sex drive and T levels can solve the problem using a topical testosterone - 150 or 300 mcg/day (0.15mg - 0.3mg) transdermal. My wife got some test base raw or your can even use a propionate raw and do the same thing mixing it with a few drops of BA and a few drops of DMSO. My wife actually used 15mg of test base raw. She usually combines that with anavar or some times T-bol orals. Blood work is good and no issues with HCT. Transdermal usually have the least effect on HCT.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2050116115300696

https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article-abstract/86/6/2395/2848502?redirectedFrom=fulltext

https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM200009073431002

I was using cream and I think that was what elevated my levels a few weeks ago. Then completely stopped for a few weeks did another test and RBC count went to normal but the HCT still high

 

[Wilson6]

I was using cream and I think that was what elevated my levels a few weeks ago. Then completely stopped for a few weeks did another test and RBC count went to normal but the HCT still high

You have to look at the normal Hb/HCT range for a male if you're a female on a decent dose of T, in fact most labs/general chems. Now that I know you've been on T, that explains the elevated Hb/HCT. Everyone responds differently, some have a robust increase in RBCs others not as much. The levels you're at, given no other clotting issues are not that high. I have to find the recent paper on T and E relative to clotting risk, but E, not T increased clotting risk. I have a number of female clients on T pellets through various providers, all avoid any E in the pellet, only T and they all have some increase in Hb/HCT and their total T varies from 150 to 500 ng/dl depending on the dose of pellet and time from implant. Look at the trans lit (FTM), they all experience an increase in Hb/HCT depending on the type of T. There is no increase in clotting in the FTM, but there is in the MTF. Having said that, I like to see 52% as the upper limit for HCT, donate blood a couple times a year (but not too often) should resolve the issue. My non-medical two cents. Lastly, the FDA recommended that the black box warning for cardiovascular issues from testosterone (HRT dosing) be removed from T products (as of 2/28/25) based on all the new data.

 

[AJohnson]

You have to look at the normal Hb/HCT range for a male if you're a female on a decent dose of T, in fact most labs/general chems. Now that I know you've been on T, that explains the elevated Hb/HCT. Everyone responds differently, some have a robust increase in RBCs others not as much. The levels you're at, given no other clotting issues are not that high. I have to find the recent paper on T and E relative to clotting risk, but E, not T increased clotting risk. I have a number of female clients on T pellets through various providers, all avoid any E in the pellet, only T and they all have some increase in Hb/HCT and their total T varies from 150 to 500 ng/dl depending on the dose of pellet and time from implant. Look at the trans lit (FTM), they all experience an increase in Hb/HCT depending on the type of T. There is no increase in clotting in the FTM, but there is in the MTF. Having said that, I like to see 52% as the upper limit for HCT, donate blood a couple times a year (but not too often) should resolve the issue. My non-medical two cents. Lastly, the FDA recommended that the black box warning for cardiovascular issues from testosterone (HRT dosing) be removed from T products (as of 2/28/25) based on all the new data.

Thank you so much! I really appreciate the informative input.
I should get results from Jak-2 test this week and will proceed if it’s negative.
I will be giving blood donation this week as well.
sorry for the ignorance but what is Trans Lit( FTM) and what is MTF?

 

[searay]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate the informative input.
I should get results from Jak-2 test this week and will proceed if it’s negative.
I will be giving blood donation this week as well.
sorry for the ignorance but what is Trans Lit( FTM) and what is MTF?

FTM = female to male / MTF = male to female. That will be my input for this post.

 

[bybon]

Hi I am a female body builder and I am 50.
I have been in a cut for quite a while and got to my goal weight and now I am on a bulking phase. I weight 140 and my bf is 17%. I got my blood work done and my red blood cell and Hematocrit was high so my primary doctor says it’s not a good idea to take Testosterone because it can cause blood clots, heart attacks and strokes. I have the Test in my cabinet and really want to start it, oh my Test levels on blood work was 11 ( Super low) does anyone have any feedback on this situation? Anything I can do to lower RBC count so it’s healthy for me to begin?

To lower eleveated RBC count:
1. Make sure you don't have sleep apnea (I doubt you have a possibility of any other hypoxia-related causes).
2. Improve hydration.
3. Reduce excess high-iron intake from foods; don't take excessive vitamin C. Copper deficiency (can be common in women) causes elevated RBC count.
4. Your kidneys can overproduce EPO due to tumors, cysts, leading to elevated RBC.
5. Obviously AAS can elevate RBC count; don't get wild with dosages.
6. Polycythemia vera (if you have it) treatment lowers RBC.
7. Medical phlebotomy lowers RBC temporarily.

 

[AJohnson]

To lower eleveated RBC count:
1. Make sure you don't have sleep apnea (I doubt you have a possibility of any other hypoxia-related causes).
2. Improve hydration.
3. Reduce excess high-iron intake from foods; don't take excessive vitamin C. Copper deficiency (can be common in women) causes elevated RBC count.
4. Your kidneys can overproduce EPO due to tumors, cysts, leading to elevated RBC.
5. Obviously AAS can elevate RBC count; don't get wild with dosages.
6. Polycythemia vera (if you have it) treatment lowers RBC.
7. Medical phlebotomy lowers RBC temporarily.

What treatment do they use for Polycythemia?
I am going to request a sleep apnea test from my dr on Monday!
Hmm! Copper deficiency? What would I take for that and how would I figure out if I have that?