Testosterone can increase EPO and thus the RBC number which raises the HCT and HGB. If the HCT increases to a value of 56% it is thought that spontaneous clotting can occur. We monitor the HCT. If the values are above 52% we recommend blood donation. One pint will usually lower the HCT about 3%. We also recommend staying hydrated and using 81 mg ASA daily. It’s also important to note that most are fasting for their labs and thus likely dehydrated, which will raise the HCT.

 

The clotting factors themselves are elevated with the use of oral testosterone as a consequence of the first pass through the liver. This is not true for absorbed (pellets, cream, gel) Testosterone.

A VA study completed a few years ago noted a slight increase in the incidence of MI and/or stroke in veterans who received testosterone (the delivery method was not taken into account) and were already at an increased risk for MI and/or stoke. But, no increase in the veterans who had no risk factors.