Hi Ellis:

I was reading that testosterone is involved in the production of red
blood cells and hemoglobin.

[Taking testosterone is one way to raise red blood cells... until
there was EPO, that was a standard treatment, at least for men...
- Ellis]

From what I have read, testosterone does this by signaling the kidney
to produce additional erythropoietin, which in turn stimulates the
bone marrow to make additional new red blood cells, thereby raising
both your hemoglobin and hematocrit (please correct me if I'm wrong
about this).

[I'm not sure how it works, but maybe this is correct. - Ellis]

I was wondering if low-normal testosterone can cause low-normal red
blood cells, hemoglobin and hematocrit, and thus, you will feel anemic
even when your lab CBC says everything is "within range".

[I never thought about this... but I don't think it is related...
Children have very low testosterone levels, but they have very
high hematocrit and hemoglobin... Women also have very low
testosterone levels and some of them have higher hematocrit than
men their same age.

On the other hand, it doesn't really matter what is the reason
why your hematocrit and hemoglobin are low. They are low. Get
them up. - Ellis]

My main problem is that I have all of symptoms of anemia (shortness
of breath, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, rapid heart beat,
excercise intolerance,etc.) and my CBC says everything is "normal".

But my hemoglobin, hematocrit and the rest of the components of red
blood cells have always been in the low side of the normal range and
I wonder if my low-normal testosterone levels could be the cause of
this "pseudo" anemia.

[I don't know... it is also possible, and I think more likely,
that your "pseudo" anemia, which is actual anemia for me, is
responsible for the low-normal testosterone levels. I don't know
enough about your case or about the relationship of low testosterone
and anemia, or anemia to low testosterone to answer more accurately,
but if I were you I would try to get the anemia reversed as soon
as possible. It is more damaging to your health than low
testosterone. Read my page, http://www.rajeun.net/hb.html

Anemia is related to everything that is bad... damage all over
the body, especially to the nervous system.

- Ellis]

Thanks for your help,

Roberto