Blood plasma donations and AAS use...

**shrpskn** · 11-09-2006, 08:31 PM

Can someone knowledgeable in both the fields of AAS use and the donating of blood plasma by plasmapheresis tell me whether or not the continued donating of plasma, during a cycle, has an impact on the effectiveness of AASs administered.
Any insight into this would be much appreciated, as I've recently began a cycle and as a regular donor of blood plasma, I do not want to continue donating if it is going to have an impact on the effectiveness of the AASs administered, such as losing a certain amount of the compounds that are in the blood via the whole plasmapheresis process, thus possibly inhibiting gains.

Thanks in advance for any help,

-ShrpSkn

**cj1capp** · 11-09-2006, 08:34 PM

Originally Posted by shrpskn

Can someone knowledgeable in both the fields of AAS use and the donating of blood plasma by plasmapheresis tell me whether or not the continued donating of plasma, during a cycle, has an impact on the effectiveness of AASs administered.
Any insight into this would be much appreciated, as I've recently began a cycle and as a regular donor of blood plasma, I do not want to continue donating if it is going to have an impact on the effectiveness of the AASs administered, such as losing a certain amount of the compounds that are in the blood via the whole plasmapheresis process, thus inhibiting possible gains.

Thanks in advance for any help,

-ShrpSkn

are you under the care of a doctor

Plasmapheresis
Common questions patients ask about plasmapheresis.

Myasthenia Gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease. Under normal circumstances, the body’s immune system protects against infection from invading bacteria and viruses. In MG, the immune system produces antibodies that become overactive and cause undesirable effects. These antibodies, called acetylcholine receptor antibodies (AChR), destroy or block certain receptor sites, resulting in muscle weakness. During plasmapheresis (also called plasma exchange), these abnormal antibodies are removed from the bloodstream.

What is plasmapheresis?

Plasmapheresis is a procedure in which blood is separated into cells and plasma (liquid). The plasma is removed and replaced with fresh frozen plasma, a blood product called albumin and/or a plasma substitute. The procedure is often referred to as plasma exchange.

Why should I have plasmapheresis?

Plasmapheresis may be recommended for a few reasons:

To stabilize a rapid decrease in muscle strength.
To reduce moderate to severe muscle weakness before surgery.
To add to present treatment if current forms of therapy are providing insufficient control of the disease.

**shrpskn** · 11-09-2006, 08:45 PM

No,...I do not receive blood plasma treatment for any type of immunodeficiency-related disease or illness.

I donate the blood plasma that is needed to treat these types of people that need it. In otherwords, my donations help save lives. Kind of the same reason people donate blood.

I'm asking that if I continue to donate plasma, will it have an impact on the effectiveness of the AASs that I'm using during my cycle. Will the donation of plasma reduce the amount of AASs that are present in the blood?
I'd like a definitive answer, because if so, I will not continue to donate while I'm on cycle.

Thanks,

-ShrpSkn

**shrpskn** · 11-09-2006, 08:57 PM

Here is a brief summary of the blood plasma donation process:

Plasma is collected through a process called "plasmapheresis." When you come in to donate, a needle is placed in your vein and your blood is pumped into a specialized spinning device that separates the plasma from the other whole blood components, such as red and white blood cells and platelets. While the plasma is collected, the other blood components are filtered into a reservoir. Once the reservoir is full, your red and white blood cells and platelets are returned to your body.
Throughout the process, the system automatically alternates between collection and replacement until the predetermined amount of plasma, based on your weight, is obtained.
The tubing and all other collection supplies that come in contact with your blood are discarded and replaced with new, sterile materials each time a donation procedure is performed.

**ascendant** · 11-09-2006, 10:38 PM

i can't answer your question, but in case nobody else can, i'd at least like to give a suggestion. for now, i'd suggest you just go to donating blood only and do it every 10 weeks or so. donating blood while on a cycle can help the blood from becoming too thick, which can cause you a lot of problems. i donated blood myself recently after finding this out, and after a couple days, i no longer felt like i was half dead.

as far as donating the plasma, i don't believe it would have much of any effect on your cycle, but i personally wouldn't risk it. even just donating blood alone is still a big help, and with gear, your body should be producing plenty extra. even after i donated, i was still getting great pumps in the gym immediately after.

the donor center asked me to do the plasma donations too because of my overall health and quality of my blood (iron levels, etc). they were practically drooling over my iv. anyway, i think giving my blood is plenty good enough, i just don't have the time to do the whole plasma thing.

**Ufa** · 11-09-2006, 10:47 PM

edit.

**stupidhippo** · 11-10-2006, 05:05 AM

i dont know to what degree the plasma donated affects the hematocrit but it might raise it (and if urs is already high because of gear) so maybe just donate full blood? also in theory i think yu could lose soem gear but as far as it really affecting the cycle i dont know.. interesting question.. y not quit the thing while on a cycle and continue after?

**shrpskn** · 11-10-2006, 08:20 AM

Thanks for the input thus far...anyone else have any input into this subject?

Ufa, I'll be looking forward to a response from you after you talk with the endo.

Thanks,

-ShrpSkn

**shrpskn** · 11-10-2006, 06:24 PM

Bump?...

BG · 11-10-2006, 06:52 PM

Very interesting to say the least, Ill try to keep this up for Ufa's reply.

**cj1capp** · 11-11-2006, 08:03 AM

any new info

BG · 11-12-2006, 09:56 AM

^^^^

**shrpskn** · 11-12-2006, 07:10 PM

Well, due to the lack of knowledgeable responses, I've decided that I will just opt out of donating plasma for the duration of the cycle. Better safe than sorry I guess.
I will keep in mind a whole blood donation in the event my RBC levels get too elevated.

Thanks again guys,

-ShrpSkn

BG · 11-12-2006, 07:44 PM

Im still waiting to hear from Ufa.

BG · 11-15-2006, 07:44 PM

^v^v^v^v^ Ufa ^v^v^v^v^

**MACHI** · 11-17-2006, 03:05 PM

Check this out.. It will explain a lot.

http://journals.ohiolink.edu/local-c...4222381534.pdf

Also, heres some food for thought...
Whether or not its safe for you to continue to donate, or for a potential recipiet to recieve, depends a lot on what kind of gear your taking. Determine whether or not your specific gear will amplify or ameliorate the side effects of plasmapherisis. As you probably know, most of the circulation testosterone is bound to SHBG and I'm not sure if they talk about this protein in the study but it would be interesting to see how fast the body replaces it. You could feasibly have a higher (although slightly) free testosterone level if the body was slow to produce SHBG. So maybe youd get even more out of your cycle as SHBG is removed with your plasma. Even if this is not the case though, I think that it wouldn't dilute your serum concentrations too much at the 500ml (per two weeks) rate but your concentrations could become, at least acutely, reduced at a higher frequency/quantity or both. However, this would probably only marginally increase your body's utilization of the gear. In long term I doubt it would have much effect relating to 'not getting the most of your cycle'. What you really have to consider though is who the potential recipient may be. Some of the androgens (even in very very small amounts) can cause unwanted side effects in recipients. ie) pregnant mothers

Anyway, just thought I'd give my two cents here.... check out that link

**MACHI** · 11-17-2006, 03:06 PM

If that link dosn't work let me know and I'll e-mail you the pdf.

**shrpskn** · 11-17-2006, 04:46 PM

Thanks alot MACHI. Much appreciated.

I hear what you're saying about the potential adverse effects of androgens being present in plasma on the recipients end. This should be something considered by individuals donating whole blood while on cycle as well.

Well, I think that about wraps this one up and as I stated in an earlier post, I will not be donating through the course of a cycle...

Thanks again,

-Shrpskn