Does human growth hormone increase hematocrit?

[Ashechtman]

My doctor put me on HGH about a year ago for vertical growth purposes. Before the growth hormone, my hematocrit was normal, at around 45%. He started me on a very high dose, 3.6mg (10.8 iu) and went up to 4mg (12 iu). On 4mg, my igf-1 was tested way too high, in the 700's, ref range was ~300-450. My last two sets of blood work came back saying my hematocrit was now 53%. This is a VERY large increase over the past year. My first thought was that the HGH was the cause. However my endo said that HGH doesn't raise hematocrit. So i'd like to know all your opinions on the matter. Does HGH raise hematocrit or not.

 

[Austinite]

Yes. High hematocrit is due to excessive red blood cells. Red cells are produced by red bone marrow. HGH stimulates bone and marrow; therefore intensifying production.

 

[Ashechtman]

Heres my dilemma, I also started using an e cig around the same time I began the hgh, so I don't know if the elevated hematocrit is due to the hgh or the e cig.

 

[Austinite]

What is e cig?

 

[Ashechtman]

I keep reading mixed literature and my endo says it doesn't. You gotta be more convincing then that, i want some personal experience here.

 

[Ridiculous87]

One of those fake cigarette things that are flavored and give offreal smoke to help people quit smoking

 

[Austinite]

I keep reading mixed literature and my endo says it doesn't. You gotta be more convincing then that, i want some personal experience here.

I have to be more convincing? It's not a random statement, go research the process, do some leg work.

How do you possibly correlate vapor with increased hematocrit?

You sound very young, how old are you?

 

[KingPen]

How do you possibly correlate vapor with increased hematocrit?

These e cigs have nicotine in them, which is vaporized and inhaled.

 

[Ashechtman]

I am young, I'm 18. e-cig is an electronic cigarette, it creates a vapor out of propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin, and it may be causing decreased o2 levels leading to increased RBC count.

I've been researching this non stop and like half the studies I read say HGH increases erythropoeisis while the other half say it doesn't increase hematocrit, therefore I haven't had much luck in that regard, hence me looking for people with personal experience. That's why I said you gotta be more convincing.

 

[Austinite]

These e cigs have nicotine in them, which is vaporized and inhaled.

Not sure I follow. Nicotine does not increase hematocrit. It's tobacco that is damaging. Nicotine is healthy in moderation.

 

[KingPen]

Not sure I follow. Nicotine does not increase hematocrit. It's tobacco that is damaging. Nicotine is healthy in moderation.

Oh okay disregard then. I couldn't remember which one effected hematocrit.

 

[Austinite]

I am young, I'm 18. e-cig is an electronic cigarette, it creates a vapor out of propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin, and it may be causing decreased o2 levels leading to increased RBC count.

I've been researching this non stop and like half the studies I read say HGH increases erythropoeisis while the other half say it doesn't increase hematocrit, therefore I haven't had much luck in that regard, hence me looking for people with personal experience. That's why I said you gotta be more convincing.

Hmm. You have it turned around. Erythropoiesis is a result of low Oxygen. Anything can cause that. Smoking tobacco, sleep apnea, living in an high altitude areas.

HGH is for the betterment of oxygen levels.

 

[Ashechtman]

Right, but erythropoiesis results in elevated RBC count and hematocrit.

 

[Austinite]

Right, but erythropoiesis results in elevated RBC count and hematocrit.

RBC is Hematocrit. Why do you speak of them as if they're not related?

You're claiming that HGH causes Erythropoiesis . I'm telling you that HGH increases maximal aerobic capacity. So increased RBC is not possibly an activity of Erythropoiesis in the presence of HGH and no other motives. It's the stimulation of bone marrow.

Here is what I think is going on here. Please, take no offense. But I believe that you do not comprehend the terminology that you've been reading in studies, and as a result, you've inaccurately concluded your theories.

 

[Alpin]

On a side note....
Scientific evidence has proven that high levels of Testosterone in males is associated with risky behavior, excess alcohol & Smoking....
Sorry couldn't resist the urge

 

[Ashechtman]

Just donated blood for the first time, I hope that lowered it some. I'm not taking any offense, don't worry. I know that RBC count is hematocrit frankly I don't know why I grouped them in 2 separate categories lol.

I didn't quite follow what you just said. Just to clarify, I'll ask my question one more time in simple terms... So you know for a FACT that HGH increases red blood cell production?

 

[halfwit]

Here you go: "From week 36 and onwards, we observed a significant increase in individual haemoglobin (Hb) concentrations, especially in the male patients." In case you're wondering, Hb * 3 = hematocrit
Source

Austinite has the answers as usual.

 

[Ashechtman]

Exactly what I was looking for, thanks so much! I wonder why my endo think's it doesnt. Anyways, I'll discuss dropping the HGH dose down with my doctor. I don't know how I missed that study in my research.

 

[Austinite]

Endocrinologists are people like you and me. They're not perfect.