No blood donation required

**Beethoven** · 05-18-2014, 07:08 AM

Was at my Dr office when he mentioned coming back from a yearly conference for hrt. One new thing he mentioned was it might not be problematic having higher hematocrit levels and the need to donate blood. People at higher altitudes have higher hematocrit levels without danger. Now he does not subscribe to that thinking as of now, but is curious to see if they feel that way next year. Anyone else heard of this?

**xcraider37** · 05-18-2014, 08:50 AM

Originally Posted by Beethoven

Was at my Dr office when he mentioned coming back from a yearly conference for hrt. One new thing he mentioned was it might not be problematic having higher hematocrit levels and the need to donate blood. People at higher altitudes have higher hematocrit levels without danger. Now he does not subscribe to that thinking as of now, but is curious to see if they feel that way next year. Anyone else heard of this?

No have not heard this. I think most of us know it can and would be problematic if we let it rise too much.

**Beethoven** · 05-18-2014, 10:18 AM

Originally Posted by xcraider37

No have not heard this. I think most of us know it can and would be problematic if we let it rise too much.

Yes, in my case I had elevated bp from it. Don't know who ran the conference. I'll ask him next time. He seems to be pretty informed when it comes to hrt. I remember him telling me about subq before I picked it up here.

**jasondd1** · 05-18-2014, 10:21 AM

Mine was 51 before hrt and rose to 55. Im giving blood every 8 weeks from now on

**highpsi** · 05-18-2014, 02:50 PM

That's the same thing the specialist said to me, I see higher than 18.9 all the time and people are in the 20s at higher elevation. Stop taking testosterone , would drawing a unit make you feel better? Felt better before I was halfway done.

**Beethoven** · 05-18-2014, 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by highpsi

That's the same thing the specialist said to me, I see higher than 18.9 all the time and people are in the 20s at higher elevation. Stop taking testosterone, would drawing a unit make you feel better? Felt better before I was halfway done.

I had to give 3 units before I felt better. Although since my diet is better and weight is dropping, my hematocrit isn't growing as fast and my AI is lowered.

**tectime** · 05-18-2014, 06:40 PM

Yes eating right and trimming of the excess fat will help and can eliminate the need to donate blood. I've been on hrt for over 4 years and haven't had to donate blood in over 3 yrs. if you cut out the salt, drink more water, and exercise more getting your body fat down I bet a lot of you would see a drop in the need to donate. of course donating is probly easier, but not as healthy as cleaning up your diets and exercising more. I have heard from my doctor that alittle higher hemocrit is ok and may even increase oxygen utilization.

**SEOINAGE** · 05-18-2014, 06:52 PM

My doctor wasn't that concerned with it either. Now it is actually a little on lower end of things, but that is from other problems, I did donate when I felt I needed too, but didn't need to do it very often, first time I did it it felt amazing.

**Beethoven** · 05-18-2014, 07:44 PM

Originally Posted by tectime

Yes eating right and trimming of the excess fat will help and can eliminate the need to donate blood. I've been on hrt for over 4 years and haven't had to donate blood in over 3 yrs. if you cut out the salt, drink more water, and exercise more getting your body fat down I bet a lot of you would see a drop in the need to donate. of course donating is probly easier, but not as healthy as cleaning up your diets and exercising more. I have heard from my doctor that alittle higher hemocrit is ok and may even increase oxygen utilization.

My workouts are better with a higher hematocrit. When I had the therapeutic draws, I felt more light headed and didn't have the oxygen I felt.

**tectime** · 05-18-2014, 08:06 PM

I believe it ! And I just explained why in the wrong thred! Haha ! In that Was prescribed trt thred. Oh well right you are dude.

**joebailey1271** · 05-18-2014, 08:57 PM

I feel better when mine is slighty higher, when i donated every 60 days my mch and something else kept getting lower like i was anemic, now i just donate every 4 monthes.

**Beethoven** · 05-19-2014, 06:56 AM

I wonder if that is part of the game when it comes to AAS in general. More blood, more oxygen, more performance. Up to a certain point I guess.

**SEOINAGE** · 05-19-2014, 01:18 PM

Can't neglect the dangers in this however, for instance if it keeps rising well above slight elevations. Polycythemia can be life threatening.

**Beethoven** · 05-19-2014, 02:32 PM

Originally Posted by SEOINAGE

Can't neglect the dangers in this however, for instance if it keeps rising well above slight elevations. Polycythemia can be life threatening.

Agreed. Always admired your screen name. Also my favorite throw.

**xcraider37** · 05-19-2014, 02:36 PM

Originally Posted by Beethoven

I wonder if that is part of the game when it comes to AAS in general. More blood, more oxygen, more performance. Up to a certain point I guess.

Hydration has been huge for me, my hct stays right about 47 to 49 %, I have not had to donate in over 18 months now.
Don't miss having to deal with red cross. I know it helps people but I did not enjoy having to go in.

**APIs** · 05-19-2014, 04:51 PM

Originally Posted by SEOINAGE

Can't neglect the dangers in this however, for instance if it keeps rising well above slight elevations. Polycythemia can be life threatening.

x2. It's just a no-brainer to donate regularly & really easy-peasy once you're into the routine...

**SEOINAGE** · 05-19-2014, 06:14 PM

Originally Posted by APIs

x2. It's just a no-brainer to donate regularly & really easy-peasy once you're into the routine...

Unfortunately I had high pulse which kept me from donating lots of times. Now I have really low iron so it's a no go, absorption issues, but I monitor hematocrit and rbc and those are fine, just worried about bringing my iron back and those rising too fast...

**Beethoven** · 05-19-2014, 08:03 PM

I have a standing script for theraputic draws as needed. Haven't had to for a while.

**sfgiantsfan55** · 05-22-2014, 09:10 AM

as with everything , there is a sweet spot. high hemat is good to a point..but once its too high, it can really through you out of whack. I seek out blood donations every 3 months or so to stay in the best spot for me. I Couldnt do HRT without it, IMO. I live at high altitude fwiw about 6000 ft in Colorado