- Staff
- #1
Hey guys, Doctor Astro here 
. *not a real doctor ok. Just for the thread.
Today, we're diving into the nitty-gritty of hematocrit levels
Why Hematocrit Levels Matter
High hematocrit (HCT) levels mean thicker blood. Optimal HCT for men is 40-47%. Too high, and you risk blood clots, strokes, and that lovely red, blotchy complexion... not exactly Chad material.
TRT, Steroids, and High Hematocrit
if you’re on TRT, you know the struggle. TRT can push your HCT levels up, so regular monitoring is key. Blasting steroids makes this worse, significantly raising hematocrit levels. To manage this, increase the frequency of injections (most dudes inject once a week or 2 times a week) ( ideal is split your dosage jnto 3 times to 4 times a week)
Subcutaneous (Sub-Q) injections are also beneficial as they can lower hematocrit levels by providing more stable testosterone levels and reducing peaks that cause higher red blood cell production. ( inject into the fat. Very easy)
Why TRT and Steroids Raise Hematocrit Levels
When you take testosterone, it stimulates erythropoiesis, the production of red blood cells. This can be great for muscle endurance and performance, but too much of a good thing can be dangerous. High levels of red blood cells increase the viscosity of your blood, making it thicker. This increases the workload on your heart and can lead to cardiovascular complications.
Personally, my HCT hit 57% recently. Cue dizziness and skin looking like a tomato. It's a common issue among those on TRT, but even normies can face this due to genetics. This has caused alot of issues and alot of my recent skincare issues are due to this.
Muscle Building and Hematocrit Levels
Optimal hematocrit levels are crucial for muscle building. Here’s how it works:
Oxygen Delivery: Higher hematocrit means more red blood cells, which carry oxygen to muscles, enhancing performance and endurance.
Recovery and Growth: Better oxygenation speeds up recovery and supports muscle growth after workouts.
Why Muscle Growth Relies on Optimal Hematocrit Level
Enhanced Performance: With optimal hematocrit levels, your muscles receive ample oxygen, which is critical for sustained performance during intense workouts. This allows you to lift heavier, train longer, and push harder.
Efficient Nutrient Delivery: Proper blood flow ensures that nutrients are effectively delivered to muscle tissues, facilitating recovery and growth. High hematocrit levels within the optimal range improve the efficiency of nutrient and oxygen delivery.
Balanced Blood Viscosity: Maintaining hematocrit levels in the optimal range ensures that your blood isn't too thick. Thick blood can slow down circulation, making it harder for your heart to pump and reducing the efficiency of oxygen and nutrient delivery. This can lead to fatigue and slower recovery times, negatively impacting muscle growth.
Solutions and Tips
Hydration
- drink enough water
Drink at least 3-4 liters of water daily. Thirsty much? Good
But you need salt and electrolytes to make this work.
Diet ( just add it to your diet but limit red meat if your iron levels are too high in general) this is helpful for the blood thinning and clot factor
Fish: Omega-3s are your friends. Salmon, mackerel, sardines.
Garlic and Onions: Not just for vampire prevention. ( contains compounds that thin the blood. Try to eat raw if you can)
Berries and Citrus Fruits: Antioxidants
Leafy Greens: Spinach seems to be the best green for this benefit
Exercise
Do at least 30 minutes of moderate cardio daily. Around 150 mins a week min. Really important for this one. I'm adding this to my routine even though i hate cardio. I care about my health too and it makes me look better after so why not?
Recent studies indicate that specific lifestyle modifications and supplements can further manage hematocrit levels. For instance, the consumption of turmeric and curcumin has shown promise in reducing blood viscosity and inflammation. Also, Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplements can improve cardiovascular health and possibly aid in managing hematocrit levels.
Skincare and Hematocrit
High hematocrit levels can negatively affect your skin, leading to redness, blotchiness, and broken capillaries. Maintaining optimal hydration and using products with anti-inflammatory properties, such as those containing niacinamide or green tea extract, can help manage these symptoms. Regular exfoliation and the use of non-comedogenic moisturizers can also improve skin appearance. ( I suffer from this part and it's really hard to cover up. Red skin is ugly on men if it's not healthy)
Antioxidant-Rich Foods: Consuming foods high in antioxidants, like dark chocolate and green tea, can help reduce oxidative stress and improve blood health.
Basically you need thick but not too thick blood. You want oxygen in your body but like anything too extreme and it becomes impossible to pump through your body and it can also kill you. And it's a huge looksmin for males who care about looking healthy and pretty.
There's the inverse problem of too little red blood cells and looking sickly pale but that's an entirely different subject.
. *not a real doctor ok. Just for the thread.Today, we're diving into the nitty-gritty of hematocrit levels
Why Hematocrit Levels Matter
High hematocrit (HCT) levels mean thicker blood. Optimal HCT for men is 40-47%. Too high, and you risk blood clots, strokes, and that lovely red, blotchy complexion... not exactly Chad material.
TRT, Steroids, and High Hematocrit
if you’re on TRT, you know the struggle. TRT can push your HCT levels up, so regular monitoring is key. Blasting steroids makes this worse, significantly raising hematocrit levels. To manage this, increase the frequency of injections (most dudes inject once a week or 2 times a week) ( ideal is split your dosage jnto 3 times to 4 times a week)
Subcutaneous (Sub-Q) injections are also beneficial as they can lower hematocrit levels by providing more stable testosterone levels and reducing peaks that cause higher red blood cell production. ( inject into the fat. Very easy)
Why TRT and Steroids Raise Hematocrit Levels
When you take testosterone, it stimulates erythropoiesis, the production of red blood cells. This can be great for muscle endurance and performance, but too much of a good thing can be dangerous. High levels of red blood cells increase the viscosity of your blood, making it thicker. This increases the workload on your heart and can lead to cardiovascular complications.
Personally, my HCT hit 57% recently. Cue dizziness and skin looking like a tomato. It's a common issue among those on TRT, but even normies can face this due to genetics. This has caused alot of issues and alot of my recent skincare issues are due to this.
Muscle Building and Hematocrit Levels
Optimal hematocrit levels are crucial for muscle building. Here’s how it works:
Oxygen Delivery: Higher hematocrit means more red blood cells, which carry oxygen to muscles, enhancing performance and endurance.
Recovery and Growth: Better oxygenation speeds up recovery and supports muscle growth after workouts.
Why Muscle Growth Relies on Optimal Hematocrit Level
Enhanced Performance: With optimal hematocrit levels, your muscles receive ample oxygen, which is critical for sustained performance during intense workouts. This allows you to lift heavier, train longer, and push harder.
Efficient Nutrient Delivery: Proper blood flow ensures that nutrients are effectively delivered to muscle tissues, facilitating recovery and growth. High hematocrit levels within the optimal range improve the efficiency of nutrient and oxygen delivery.
Balanced Blood Viscosity: Maintaining hematocrit levels in the optimal range ensures that your blood isn't too thick. Thick blood can slow down circulation, making it harder for your heart to pump and reducing the efficiency of oxygen and nutrient delivery. This can lead to fatigue and slower recovery times, negatively impacting muscle growth.
Solutions and Tips
Hydration
- drink enough water
Drink at least 3-4 liters of water daily. Thirsty much? Good
But you need salt and electrolytes to make this work.
Diet ( just add it to your diet but limit red meat if your iron levels are too high in general) this is helpful for the blood thinning and clot factor
Fish: Omega-3s are your friends. Salmon, mackerel, sardines.
Garlic and Onions: Not just for vampire prevention. ( contains compounds that thin the blood. Try to eat raw if you can)
Berries and Citrus Fruits: Antioxidants
Leafy Greens: Spinach seems to be the best green for this benefit
Exercise
Do at least 30 minutes of moderate cardio daily. Around 150 mins a week min. Really important for this one. I'm adding this to my routine even though i hate cardio. I care about my health too and it makes me look better after so why not?
Recent studies indicate that specific lifestyle modifications and supplements can further manage hematocrit levels. For instance, the consumption of turmeric and curcumin has shown promise in reducing blood viscosity and inflammation. Also, Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplements can improve cardiovascular health and possibly aid in managing hematocrit levels.
Skincare and Hematocrit
High hematocrit levels can negatively affect your skin, leading to redness, blotchiness, and broken capillaries. Maintaining optimal hydration and using products with anti-inflammatory properties, such as those containing niacinamide or green tea extract, can help manage these symptoms. Regular exfoliation and the use of non-comedogenic moisturizers can also improve skin appearance. ( I suffer from this part and it's really hard to cover up. Red skin is ugly on men if it's not healthy)
Antioxidant-Rich Foods: Consuming foods high in antioxidants, like dark chocolate and green tea, can help reduce oxidative stress and improve blood health.
Basically you need thick but not too thick blood. You want oxygen in your body but like anything too extreme and it becomes impossible to pump through your body and it can also kill you. And it's a huge looksmin for males who care about looking healthy and pretty.
There's the inverse problem of too little red blood cells and looking sickly pale but that's an entirely different subject.
