Users report that switching TRT to daily SubQ or splitting doses can sometimes stabilize hematocrit without frequent blood draws, though results vary. Fasted cardio, high water intake with electrolytes, and staying hydrated show consistent benefits for keeping levels in the mid-40s. Retatrutide is commonly run at 4-6 mg weekly for recomp, while HGH at 2 IU split morning and night works well for some without joint issues. Cream or gel forms of testosterone appear to affect hematocrit less than injections but require careful application.
What this discussion establishesWhether high hematocrit on TRT is a serious risk that needs aggressive lowering or can be safely managed at 51-54 %
Still openLong-term safety of HGH or secretagogues for someone with family cancer history, and optimal retatrutide maintenance dose once recomp goals are met
Nothing here is advice.
I'm working with doctors on several things together. TRT is ongoing but iron levels keep causing trouble. The main issue is keeping hematocrit down without extra blood draws that tank ferritin and leave me wiped out. Vrock protocol helped some before. Right now the focus is dialing in retatrutide and later adding HGH back. Current plan is 3 mg retatrutide weekly split into two 1.5 mg shots, aiming for 6 mg total to check recomp effects, though it might not need to go that high. TRT is daily shallow IM and I'm thinking about moving to daily SubQ to see if it lowers hematocrit, then trying cream if that doesn't work. HGH restart is planned in two weeks. I've seen mixed views on whether to take it at night or fasted in the morning with cardio, so real experiences from similar stacks would help. Has switching TRT from shallow IM to SubQ lowered hematocrit for anyone? Did anyone end up moving to cream or gel instead?
I pin test SubQ every third day at 80 mg and haven't had hematocrit trouble since. I used to donate blood yearly just because it seemed like a good idea, not because levels were high. Can't speak to HGH since I won't give up my nighttime snack.
I run 100 mg test twice a week for 200 mg total via IM. HGH is 2 IU before bed about ninety minutes after the last meal and another 2 IU first thing in the morning fasted before cardio. Retatrutide is 6 mg every Monday morning. This new vial feels stronger than the last one. Anavar at 50 mg daily helped the recent cut. I eat red meat when possible and check glucose which stays normal. Four IU of HGH at bedtime left me with joint pain the next day, but splitting 2 IU twice feels fine.
Jesus! Let's see those biceps big guy?!
Cycle ends July 15. Can't wait to compare before and after photos. Fat is coming off and strength is still up even in a big deficit.
Daily IM TRT at 200 mg per week, 4 mg retatrutide weekly, no AI, and I'm fairly lean. Two things keep hematocrit between 46 and 48: 25 minutes of fasted cardio at 3 mph on an incline every day, and drinking 150 oz of water with electrolytes. One early draw after only 16 oz of water showed 54, but retesting the next day fully hydrated dropped it back under 48. Just starting to look at HGH myself.
Keep us posted on how the HGH goes. The fasted cardio tip is useful and lines up with possibly taking HGH first thing in the morning.
You look like you're in great shape. I'm on 300 mg test weekly split into two pins. Just started retatrutide at 0.5 mg to check tolerance. Planning to add CJC-1295 plus ipamorelin without DAC. Any thoughts on that combo?
Cream or gel seems to move hematocrit less than injections, but applying it is annoying and transfer risk is real even if the label says otherwise.
300 mg a week? That's a lot.
Depends on age with the CJC and ipa. That combo gave me a bad allergic reaction after one shot. If you're over 40 just use 2 IU HGH at bedtime instead. Three hundred mg test weekly isn't TRT, it's a blast, but if you don't aromatize much it can work. Starting low on retatrutide is smart.
I'm 34. Is HGH safe at that age? I've read that tesamorelin, ipamorelin and similar peptides aren't recommended if there's any personal or family cancer history because they raise IGF-1. Cancer runs in my family from grandparents to uncles. Any thoughts?
There's not a lot of hard proof, but anything that raises growth hormone could in theory wake up cancer cells. Even low-dose long-term HGH might have downsides later. Heavy extended use definitely carries risks, yet plenty of people still take it.
What is your hematocrit reading?
NIH and National Institute of Medicine sites have detailed info on all of this, but it would take a week to read everything. I still need to figure out how to share links properly.
54 percent. Work capacity is down, I get winded easily, and I get pressure headaches.
A link would be great, even in a DM. Thanks.
I'll try to send it later. Kids are visiting today so they'll have to show me how to post the link.
Haha, leave it to the younger ones for tech stuff. Same here. Thanks for the help and enjoy the family time.
I had high hematocrit too. Lowered the dose and split injections but it still went up. High hematocrit isn't some huge danger and can be handled without panic. Most doctors and clinics are behind on this and give outdated advice.
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