So I've been on a low dose of T for about 3 months. At my previous doctor's appointment I was told i needed blood work done, and from that we would see if I would be able to raise my dose. So I did my lab work and today he told me that I had high cholesterol and a high red blood cell count. He gave me a list of vitamins he wanted me to start taking to help the cholesterol, and said he wants me to start donating blood every month. (I'm guessing because of the high amount of red blood cells). And unfortunately my next appointment with him isn't until 3 more months. I'm rather disappointed because I was hoping to have it raised today, but I don't really know the average amount of time before I'm suppose to get it raised anyways.

Has anyone else had similar experiences with having to donate blood?
What is the typical time frame for getting a higher dose of t?

Thanks. 

I don't know what the "average" time frame is either, but I don't think that matters much. The main thing is to make sure that your overall health is good, and to make sure it stays that way while also meeting your transition goals. Both the cholesterol and the RBC count are pretty big deals, and it's wise of your doctor not to raise your dose until he's sure that both are under control, since T can raise both of them, putting you at risk for future health problems.

There's a lot you can do, other than vitamins, to lower your cholesterol -- diet and exercise can do wonders, and the recommendations for that are good for your overall health, quite apart from cholesterol. Follow your doctor's recommendations, and the chances are that in 3 months (which isn't really that long, although I know it seems like it), everything will be as it should be, and you can go from there.

Quote from: Tysilio on February 09, 2015, 10:00:16 PM
I don't know what the "average" time frame is either, but I don't think that matters much. The main thing is to make sure that your overall health is good, and to make sure it stays that way while also meeting your transition goals. Both the cholesterol and the RBC count are pretty big deals, and it's wise of your doctor not to raise your dose until he's sure that both are under control, since T can raise both of them, putting you at risk for future health problems.

There's a lot you can do, other than vitamins, to lower your cholesterol -- diet and exercise can do wonders, and the recommendations for that are good for your overall health, quite apart from cholesterol. Follow your doctor's recommendations, and the chances are that in 3 months (which isn't really that long, although I know it seems like it), everything will be as it should be, and you can go from there.

Oh yes I agree that it was wise not to raise it now. I know my health is more important, my brain just clouded with "I want it done now". I'm definitely going to follow what he has asked me to do though.
I will make an effort to go to the gym more frequently and get on a better diet. (My diet right now is pretty awful and isn't helping anything). Thank you for responding and your input.

How often you need lab work may depend on your Dr. and or the law where you are. Even with insurance, blood work is expensive.

The percentage of red cells can be changed by more than just too high of testosterone. It will go up if you are dehydrated as well, and males typically have a higher PCV (packed cell volume) than females. Has your Dr. worked with other transgenders?

Sam1234

I just wanted to say that I had this happen to me because of my thyroid- I was supposed to raise my dose at 3 months, but I guess we will see at 6 months how it is. Frustrating but Iknow it's for my health :/

Quote from: sam1234 on February 10, 2015, 10:27:10 AM
How often you need lab work may depend on your Dr. and or the law where you are. Even with insurance, blood work is expensive.

The percentage of red cells can be changed by more than just too high of testosterone. It will go up if you are dehydrated as well, and males typically have a higher PCV (packed cell volume) than females. Has your Dr. worked with other transgenders?

Sam1234

That's good to know. I Had heard my percentage of red blood cells would go up so it wasn't something I was worried about. But now I have to go donate blood so I was a little confused on what exactly was negative about it, he didn't really explain it to me. And yes he has worked with many other trans folks. He's based out of San Antonio and comes down to my city once a week. Not a lot of people do his work here so I'm glad. Thanks!

Quote from: CursedFireDean on February 10, 2015, 11:15:50 AM
I just wanted to say that I had this happen to me because of my thyroid- I was supposed to raise my dose at 3 months, but I guess we will see at 6 months how it is. Frustrating but Iknow it's for my health :/

I'm sorry to hear that it's a bit of a let down but health is important and im thankful to get tostay on testosterone. We will see at 6 months where we are at good luck!

When you say you are going to donate blood, do you mean that your Dr. wants more blood, or you are donating blood that will go to other people?

If you are referring to giving blood as in Red Cross blood, I'm not sure they will take it if you are taking endogenous testosterone. Here I can't give blood with the androderm, but laws change and are different between states in some cases.

Sam1234

Quote from: sam1234 on February 10, 2015, 01:26:17 PM
When you say you are going to donate blood, do you mean that your Dr. wants more blood, or you are donating blood that will go to other people?

If you are referring to giving blood as in Red Cross blood, I'm not sure they will take it if you are taking endogenous testosterone. Here I can't give blood with the androderm, but laws change and are different between states in some cases.

Sam1234

Yes he wants me to go donate blood, like at the blood bank or a blood bus.
I was wondering about that too. I'm not sure they would let me donate. I'm not sure what I'll do if they don't let me, and I'm not sure how important it is for me to go donate. If I can't, I guess I'll just call my doctor.

If your doctor wants you to donate, then you should, I think. Where it gets sticky with the Red Cross is that, because of HIV/AIDS risk, there's now, effectively, a lifetime exclusion for men who have had sex with men. The Red Cross would like to change this, and I understand that the Dept. of Health and Human Services is reviewing the policy, but they apply it to transgender people as well. If you've never had sex with a man, or if you're legally still female, you should be OK, as long as you're not excluded under some other part of their rules.

HRT of any kind doesn't prevent people from donating.

Here's the link to the relevant page on the Red Cross website:

http://www.redcrossblood.org/donating-blood/eligibility-requirements/eligibility-criteria-topic

Quote from: Tysilio on February 10, 2015, 02:31:54 PM
If your doctor wants you to donate, then you should, I think. Where it gets sticky with the Red Cross is that, because of HIV/AIDS risk, there's now, effectively, a lifetime exclusion for men who have had sex with men. The Red Cross would like to change this, and I understand that the Dept. of Health and Human Services is reviewing the policy, but they apply it to transgender people as well. If you've never had sex with a man, or if you're legally still female, you should be OK, as long as you're not excluded under some other part of their rules.

HRT of any kind doesn't prevent people from donating.

Here's the link to the relevant page on the Red Cross website:

http://www.redcrossblood.org/donating-blood/eligibility-requirements/eligibility-criteria-topic

Thank you! That's really helpful. There's a red cross here, and also The Coastal Bend Blood Center, so if I don't have luck at one, I can try the other.

You're welcome.

I think the policy is the same at all blood banks, since it's a federal one, but hopefully you'll have no trouble.

This is interesting! Do let us know if you encounter any difficulties when donating. I am terrible with needles and the like, so I'm really hoping my doctor doesn't tell me I need to give blood at my 3 month check up 

slight derail - Has anybody else had that request from a doctor following their blood work?

I had a check-up with my endo last month for my 3 months on T, and she didn't raise my dose at all either. I can't remember exactly what my current dose is, but it seems pretty low to me. She also said I have a high red blood cell count, but didn't say anything about donating blood. Although she only said it was a little bit high, not enough to be concerned about so that might be why. However, if your testosterone levels are normal (which they probably are, seeing as your dose wasn't adjusted) then honestly I wouldn't even worry about how much you're taking. What matters is that you're getting the right amount of hormones when you need them.

Quote from: ftmax on February 10, 2015, 03:11:05 PM
This is interesting! Do let us know if you encounter any difficulties when donating. I am terrible with needles and the like, so I'm really hoping my doctor doesn't tell me I need to give blood at my 3 month check up 

slight derail - Has anybody else had that request from a doctor following their blood work?

I will do! And I understand, I'm horrible with needles as well. I have no idea how I'm dealing with weekly injections. I hadn't gotten my flu vaccine in 4 years and had a panic attack when I had to get my meningitis shot for college. It's way worth it though.

Quote from: lionheart on February 10, 2015, 04:18:10 PM
I had a check-up with my endo last month for my 3 months on T, and she didn't raise my dose at all either. I can't remember exactly what my current dose is, but it seems pretty low to me. She also said I have a high red blood cell count, but didn't say anything about donating blood. Although she only said it was a little bit high, not enough to be concerned about so that might be why. However, if your testosterone levels are normal (which they probably are, seeing as your dose wasn't adjusted) then honestly I wouldn't even worry about how much you're taking. What matters is that you're getting the right amount of hormones when you need them.

That's a good point. And you're probably right. As long as they are where they need to be then that's what's important. And my doctor didn't seem particularly concerned with my blood exactly, but he started with "go donate blood" and before I left be told me again so I'm going to go ahead and do it of course. But I'm not just really worried.

Thanks!

Don't worry Samu, these thing takes time. It's better to be safe than to be sorry. Plus, look on the bright side, you're on T !!!!

Years ago I tried to donate, and they wouldn't let me because I was taking testosterone. Its good to know that places will take your blood with the endogenous testosterone in your system. Maybe the place I went to didn't know it was ok and therefore told me no.

sam1234

Just an update for anyone who wanted to know, I donated blood today and has no issues. It didn't specifically list testosterone as a medication that would disqualify me, but I went ahead and told the woman in the room  I was taking it and she simply asked how often I get my injection and that was that. No problems. However I ended up donating at the coastal bend blood center so I can't speak for red cross.