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How Quickly After A 500ml Therapeutic Phlebotomy Will Blood Viscosity Change?
Question: How quickly after a 500ml therapeutic phlebotomy will blood viscosity change? I know the red blood cells are immediately eliminated during the blood draw, but, assuming adequate hydration and no other medical complications, how quickly would one expect fluids to be replenished in the blood supply such that the blood thins to a safer level? How soon must I wait to test hemoglobin again to verify how much the phlebotomy affected the hemoglobin level? Hemoglobin was 17.3 a month ago, then was 18.2 today just prior to the phlebotomy (13.2-17.1/g/dL lab range). Hemoglobin was elevated due to exogenous testosterone HRT.
Brief Answer:
Considerations
Detailed Answer:
hello and thank you for sending the question.
The viscosity of your blood will change immediately after phlebotomy. This will usually happen because there is fluid shift after the unit of blood is removed.
With regular hydration your viscosity should slowly drop.
I am sure your doctors have discussed discontinuing hormone therapy. Testosterone use is a well described cause of elevated hemoglobin level.
I'm sure your doctor has reviewed the risks of having high viscosity in the blood.
at this point it sounds like your condition is being managed very well. Please continue to follow up with your doctor as scheduled.
Sincerely,
Dr. Galamaga
Considerations
Detailed Answer:
hello and thank you for sending the question.
The viscosity of your blood will change immediately after phlebotomy. This will usually happen because there is fluid shift after the unit of blood is removed.
With regular hydration your viscosity should slowly drop.
I am sure your doctors have discussed discontinuing hormone therapy. Testosterone use is a well described cause of elevated hemoglobin level.
I'm sure your doctor has reviewed the risks of having high viscosity in the blood.
at this point it sounds like your condition is being managed very well. Please continue to follow up with your doctor as scheduled.
Sincerely,
Dr. Galamaga
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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