Low ferritin but need to donate?

[Bigbadwolf04]

So I have low ferritin but my rbc and hematocrit is elevated. Not sure what to do. I planned on adding 25 mg var for 6 to 8 weeks with my trt but looking at this blood work should I not? And also what do I do about the rbc? My ferritin was 32 a few months back and the low cutoff was 36 so just a little under it. So not sure if I should not donate and take an iron supp? My iron levels are normal though. And also if I take a supp won't that increase my rbc?

I attached my blood work below. My ferritin should be here in a few days as well.

 

[SharpTack]

Donating is a short term fix. Im no expert but nattokinase, hydration and cardio should help

 

[Cdub]

My ferritin is at 21 from donating to much over the span of a year.I feel fine but also with it this low it’s been keeping my hemoglobin and hematocrit plateaued.Hard to say how much more it would drop if you donated again .Best case you end up around my range and are able to bring your hemoglobin and hematocrit down .

 

[Bigbadwolf04]

My ferritin is at 21 from donating to much over the span of a year.I feel fine but also with it this low it’s been keeping my hemoglobin and hematocrit plateaued.Hard to say how much more it would drop if you donated again .Best case you end up around my range and are able to bring your hemoglobin and hematocrit down .

Yea 3 months ago after donating I was just barely under 50. Also took this test in the morning and only got down like 1/8 of a gallon prior

 

[Algz]

When talking Ferritin levels are you referring to TSAT or just the ferritin result.?

 

[MagicElevator]

I have pretty low iron 38 or so (ferritin). So similar to u. Could be genetics some family were anemic but also could be donation. I just take an iron supplement. I took 18 mg for a few years but lately have been doing 36 and will check bloods on it soon. Don't take iron for 3 days before donating it can elevate your hemoglobin a couple units. But start taking it immediately the day after donation for at least a month or month and a half if donate every 2. Check your iron every once in awhile make sure you aren't OD'ing on it, it can make you sick. I watched mine for awhile just to make sure I don't and still randomly check it. But yep, I'm pretty low still everytime I check. The 18 wasn't rebuilding my iron stores but it was giving me enough for good daily function. I'll see what 36 does. And I ran low on iron for awhile before I discovered this but I noticed an immediate improvement in how I felt as soon as I started supplementing.

 

[Conmike41]

were you hydrated at the time of labs ?

Do you have sleep apnea ?

Id look into Hemoflow, by Leviathin Nutrition which has Nattokinase in it as well as supplementing w Naringin.

The combo of hemoflow and Naringin seems to have helped my H&H somehow

 

[Pivotmach624]

So I have low ferritin but my rbc and hematocrit is elevated. Not sure what to do. I planned on adding 25 mg var for 6 to 8 weeks with my trt but looking at this blood work should I not? And also what do I do about the rbc? My ferritin was 32 a few months back and the low cutoff was 36 so just a little under it. So not sure if I should not donate and take an iron supp? My iron levels are normal though. And also if I take a supp won't that increase my rbc?

I attached my blood work below. My ferritin should be here in a few days as well.

Fixing High Hemoglobin or Hematocrit and Low Ferritin While on TRT

I did this to bring mine up got a hemo doc appt Friday
Will need to run labs again to see where I’m at now.


Baby aspirin daily
Natto
Shit tons of water, electrolytes, and cardio fasted and stair master post workout.

 

[Glycomann]

If this is from serial donation it's because of your frequent donations. I would go completely off for 4-8 weeks. Eat plenty of red meat and then do only a true TRT dose for a few months. That will probably reset you without screwing up your ferritin or taking a bunch of supplements that may or may not work or could make your bleeding time go up.

 

[Bathman316]

So I have low ferritin but my rbc and hematocrit is elevated. Not sure what to do. I planned on adding 25 mg var for 6 to 8 weeks with my trt but looking at this blood work should I not? And also what do I do about the rbc? My ferritin was 32 a few months back and the low cutoff was 36 so just a little under it. So not sure if I should not donate and take an iron supp? My iron levels are normal though. And also if I take a supp won't that increase my rbc?

I attached my blood work below. My ferritin should be here in a few days as well.

I wouldn't donate just yet. Your numbers are on the higher side but barely over the threshold (which is arbitrary) can you lower trt dose, hydrate more etc... dumping blood will lower your numbers but you'll then get a rebound effect with rbc and hematocrit going right back up. I wouldn't add var until your blood work is where you feel comfortable. Why add another variable?

 

[Razzle Dazzle]

Supplement with HERM Iron (I think that’s what it’s called)

 

[Dr.Greenthumb]

What is your age?
Are you using a GLP-1?
Have sleep APNEA?
Smoke?
Restless legs?

I'm curious about these things because your title is Low Ferritin but you have no test results. So I ask the usual questions to find out more before recommending anything.
At this point I'd say those test results aren't far off, but enough to pay attention. If you are on TRT and fighting the hemoglobin rise a double red cell donation is better than whole blood every 56 days. You can only do 3 a year and need the correct blood type.
Ferritin is a precursor to low iron, but it's just a preliminary test. I have had low ferritin and normal iron before, so I just ignored it. This is information from my HEMATOLOGIST, I value his opinion. Unless you have a condition, this is easy to address with diet and hydration. For me and my compensated liver, I've been managing this, as well as other blood conditions, for years. But I don't abuse myself with a lot of AAS and strictly use trt only.

 

[Dr.Greenthumb]

Fixing High Hemoglobin or Hematocrit and Low Ferritin While on TRT

Great read!

 

[Bigbadwolf04]

What is your age?
Are you using a GLP-1?
Have sleep APNEA?
Smoke?
Restless legs?

I'm curious about these things because your title is Low Ferritin but you have no test results. So I ask the usual questions to find out more before recommending anything.
At this point I'd say those test results aren't far off, but enough to pay attention. If you are on TRT and fighting the hemoglobin rise a double red cell donation is better than whole blood every 56 days. You can only do 3 a year and need the correct blood type.
Ferritin is a precursor to low iron, but it's just a preliminary test. I have had low ferritin and normal iron before, so I just ignored it. This is information from my HEMATOLOGIST, I value his opinion. Unless you have a condition, this is easy to address with diet and hydration. For me and my compensated liver, I've been managing this, as well as other blood conditions, for years. But I don't abuse myself with a lot of AAS and strictly use trt only.

35
No
No
No
No

I just got bloods done today so should get results tmro. I checked RBC and ferritin but actually made sure I was hydrated this time around. I think my iron is fine because they check it when donating and it's always good.

 

[Glycomann]

35
No
No
No
No

I just got bloods done today so should get results tmro. I checked RBC and ferritin but actually made sure I was hydrated this time around. I think my iron is fine because they check it when donating and it's always good.

Once your ferritin is low it is not trivial to get it back up into a good range. It is your storage protein for iron. That you are in the low end of normal indicates that you are headed to iron deficiency. Your hematocrit of 53% is not a huge deal and common with men on TRT o above. When it hits 56% then it is getting too high. I would be most concerned with your ferritin. Donation is the last thing I would do in your shoes. all these other questions are really on the margins based on the information you have given. Your focus should be on not donating, getting your ferritin up i.e. eating red meat, and taking a steroid abstinence period when your hematocrit hits 56% if it does. And if you are overhydrating to keep it under 56% is not addressing the problem but the hematocrit of 53% is not acute and pretty much OK with most good TRT practices and physicians.

 

[Dr.Greenthumb]

35
No
No
No
No

I just got bloods done today so should get results tmro. I checked RBC and ferritin but actually made sure I was hydrated this time around. I think my iron is fine because they check it when donating and it's always good.

I asked all those questions to eliminate things so eventually you'll narrow it down. I'd wait and see what your blood work looks like. I've had one offs before and tested again only to be normal. My liver is toast and I'm all over the map from one test to the next. I have 4 specialists gastro, hepatologist, nephrologist and hematologist and they all say the same thing. Borderline lab work with no symptoms dictate a monitor reaction only.

 

[Bigbadwolf04]

Once your ferritin is low it is not trivial to get it back up into a good range. It is your storage protein for iron. That you are in the low end of normal indicates that you are headed to iron deficiency. Your hematocrit of 53% is not a huge deal and common with men on TRT o above. When it hits 56% then it is getting too high. I would be most concerned with your ferritin. Donation is the last thing I would do in your shoes. all these other questions are really on the margins based on the information you have given. Your focus should be on not donating, getting your ferritin up i.e. eating red meat, and taking a steroid abstinence period when your hematocrit hits 56% if it does. And if you are overhydrating to keep it under 56% is not addressing the problem but the hematocrit of 53% is not acute and pretty much OK with most good TRT practices and physicians.

I asked all those questions to eliminate things so eventually you'll narrow it down. I'd wait and see what your blood work looks like. I've had one offs before and tested again only to be normal. My liver is toast and I'm all over the map from one test to the next. I have 4 specialists gastro, hepatologist, nephrologist and hematologist and they all say the same thing. Borderline lab work with no symptoms dictate a monitor reaction only.

Thanks yea here's my recent bloods with hematocrit and ferritin

 

[Dr.Greenthumb]

Thanks yea here's my recent bloods with hematocrit and ferritin

What is your TRT dose?
What is your test level?
And do you care to share why at 35 you're on hormone replacement?

Those numbers that are in the red are just above the cutoff range and they are common in some on TRT. I live in the right at, or just above cut off range area. The best I can do is self care, good hydration, nutrition and sleep.

On this board there's a contradictory opinion on blood test ranges. Testosterone normal range is 300-1000ng/dl and lots of people here argue that's too low, yet they fret over being .14m/dl in RBC.

 

[Dr.Greenthumb]

Dude I just read what you posted in your other thread about this. You admitted you haven't been hydrating well. I'm not here to bag on you about anything but if you are going to do blood draws you certainly should hydrate sufficently before hand.

 

[Bigbadwolf04]

What is your TRT dose?
What is your test level?
And do you care to share why at 35 you're on hormone replacement?

Those numbers that are in the red are just above the cutoff range and they are common in some on TRT. I live in the right at, or just above cut off range area. The best I can do is self care, good hydration, nutrition and sleep.

On this board there's a contradictory opinion on blood test ranges. Testosterone normal range is 300-1000ng/dl and lots of people here argue that's too low, yet they fret over being .14m/dl in RBC.

Dose is 180 mgs
Trough bloods were 860
Was dumb in my 20s and blasted and cruised

 

[Dr.Greenthumb]

That's a reasonable dose and a good therapeutic level. It doesn't sound like you're exhibiting any symptoms, I'd personally just improve hydration and recheck labs in 6 mos, I know it's what my doctor would do. If you do decide to use Anavar, a 6mos recheck is a highly recommended. Lipid imbalance is common with oxandrolone use.

As far as the early life decisions, it's not uncommon. I've read numerous times of guys who've done that when they were young and have had success restarting their natural production.