The venesection was painless to say the least, thank you for using local anaesthetics; highly recommended
Restoring the Balance in Blood Levels
If your blood cell count is too high you may be at increased risk for polycythaemia, which manifests as an increase in haemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (HCT), or red blood cell count. Polycythemia makes your blood thicker, causing blood flow to slow down and become sluggish. This means your organs may not get the blood they need to function and you may experience some side effects like plethoric (red) face, breathlessness, fatigue, headache, nose bleeds, high blood pressure, stroke and deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
If you are doing testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), polycythaemia is a common side effect. This is why it’s crucial to monitor haemoglobin and haematocrit levels while on testosterone therapy. Testosterone can increase the body’s production of red blood cells. To a certain extent, it is beneficial in increasing oxygenation to the rest of the body to enhance endurance and strength. Nonetheless, when excess red blood cells produce due to prolonged stimulation of exogenous testosterone, it can cause health concerns. This is where therapeutic venesection comes in.
Therapeutic Venesection For Those In Hormone Replacement
It is even more important for those who blast and cruise (B&C) to get the guidance of a professional doctor who can keep a close eye on blood levels to prevent harm from happening. Therapeutic venesection is very effective in restoring the balance of haemoglobin and haematocrit level in this context. It is very similar to what happens when donating blood, but a physician prescribes this procedure as a method to bring down blood viscosity, it takes about one hour to complete. In the United Kingdom, those on exogenous testosterone are not allowed to donate blood, and one may not want to involve his NHS GP for a referral to a haematologist.
What’s Included In the Therapeutic Venesection Package?
At Harley Street MD, we provide therapeutic venesection caused by exogenous testosterone replacement. We will check your blood count before the procedure. Self-referral is accepted, and your visit will be kept completely discreet and confidential. A repeat of blood test 7-14 days after the procedure is also included in the package. A therapeutic venesection of around one pint of blood will generally lower haematocrit by about 3%. In some instances, repeat therapeutic venesection is required to restore normal Hb and HCT levels.
You’ll receive:
- Consultation up to 30 minutes
- Blood test before treatment (bedside haemoglobin test)
- Therapeutic venesection procedure (up to 450 ml)
- Follow up in 10-14 days with a complimentary blood test (full blood count).
A blood test to confirm polycythaemia will be conducted before the therapeutic phlebotomy. You might be given medication to further minimise your risk before your follow-up, usually within two weeks after your procedure. A full blood count will be tested after the venesection, which is included in the price. Ensure you are fully hydrated before arrival and allocate one hour for the procedure.
Call us today to book an appointment if you suspect you might have polycythaemia from testosterone replacement.
We Offer a Wide Range of Blood Tests
If for any reason you are worried you may be suffering from low testosterone or have been using steroids; we recommend coming into our office for guidance. We offer our clients many options for blood tests to make sure you are reaching your goals safely.
- Full blood count (£55): Full haematology profile including haemoglobin concentration (Hb) and haematocrit (Hct)
- Standard Health Profile (£95): full blood count, kidney function test, liver function test, iron profile, bone profile, fasting blood sugar, full cholesterol breakdown and inflammatory marker
- Advanced Health Profile (£165): full blood count, kidney function test, liver function test, iron profile, bone profile, fasting blood sugar, full cholesterol breakdown, inflammatory marker vitamin D level, complete thyroid profile (T3, T4, TSH)
- Complete Health Profile (£195): full blood count, kidney function test, liver function test, iron profile, bone profile, fasting blood sugar, full cholesterol breakdown, inflammatory marker vitamin D level, complete thyroid profile (T3, T4, TSH) and Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)
- Complete Hormone Profile (£165): LH, FSH, testosterone, oestradiol (E2), prolactin, SHBG, free androgen index (FAI)
- Complete Growth Hormone Profile (£195): Tumour Markers – CEA (bowel cancer), CA19.9 (pancreatic cancer), AFP (liver cancer), HbA1c (Diabetes Screening), IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor-1)
- Advanced Prostate Profile (£95): free PSA, total PSA, free: total PSA ratio
