Question about Donating Blood on AAS

**Coffeehead** · 08-27-2018, 07:46 AM

Since I'm on gear, they will obviously throw my blood away, right? When they throw it away, are they able to tell I am using AAS, or are there other blood markers that just don't meet their criteria?

I ask because if I plan to donate again in the future (for AAS or otherwise) I want to be sure I'm able to use the same place I'm donating at today.

Basically I'm asking are they gonna know I use AAS and blackball me from donating ever again?

**Dannyboy51577** · 08-27-2018, 08:08 AM

Originally Posted by Coffeehead

Since I'm on gear, they will obviously throw my blood away, right? When they throw it away, are they able to tell I am using AAS, or are there other blood markers that just don't meet their criteria?

I ask because if I plan to donate again in the future (for AAS or otherwise) I want to be sure I'm able to use the same place I'm donating at today.

Basically I'm asking are they gonna know I use AAS and blackball me from donating ever again?

Provided you meet the criteria to donate, they wont throw away your blood, they will use it. Ive been donating at the same place for quite some time. As far as im aware, they dont test for aas

**almostgone** · 08-27-2018, 08:24 AM

Originally Posted by Coffeehead

Since I'm on gear, they will obviously throw my blood away, right? When they throw it away, are they able to tell I am using AAS, or are there other blood markers that just don't meet their criteria?

I ask because if I plan to donate again in the future (for AAS or otherwise) I want to be sure I'm able to use the same place I'm donating at today.

Basically I'm asking are they gonna know I use AAS and blackball me from donating ever again?

They will just ask.you questions and the answer you provide is your choice. The only test they have ever done on me for blood donation other than checking my BP is a finger stick test to check.your hemoglobin levels. That is just to make sure you aren't anemic or have another blood disorder. I've never been deferred for my.hemoobin being too high and it has been elevated beyond normal range before.

**Coffeehead** · 08-27-2018, 03:40 PM

Well, I did it. 16 gauge harpoon for about 7 mins to draw a pint out of me. Wasn't as bas as I thought.

How much should I expect this to drop my HCT from 50.5%. I'm roughly 200lbs...if that matters

**Charlie67** · 08-27-2018, 03:59 PM

Originally Posted by Coffeehead

Well, I did it. 16 gauge harpoon for about 7 mins to draw a pint out of me. Wasn't as bas as I thought.

How much should I expect this to drop my HCT from 50.5%. I'm roughly 200lbs...if that matters

Its hard to say exactly. I cycle regularly, and I give blood regularly, and my levels stay in check. I worry more about passing the prescreening iron finger-prick test more than anything else. I do try to land my appointment in the later half of a cycle, but I give as often as their requirements allow.

Side note: for some, donating often my be a problem. I'm not sure why exactly, but there are some medical conditions where you wouldn't want to donate too often. Just be aware of that.

**Chrisp83TRT** · 08-27-2018, 04:43 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie67

Its hard to say exactly. I cycle regularly, and I give blood regularly, and my levels stay in check. I worry more about passing the prescreening iron finger-prick test more than anything else. I do try to land my appointment in the later half of a cycle, but I give as often as their requirements allow.

Side note: for some, donating often my be a problem. I'm not sure why exactly, but there are some medical conditions where you wouldn't want to donate too often. Just be aware of that.

It’s something you have to be aware of , you can donate and lower your hemocrit but if you have normal plasma levels , it can be something to reconsider.... you don’t want to go low on that.
Having high hemocrit isn’t something to be concerned with unless you have high platelets. If you don’t , it’s typical for your hemocrit to be high from using test and isn’t something to be worried about. A lot of people get worried about this but it’s something many need to research.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**almostgone** · 08-27-2018, 06:32 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie67

Its hard to say exactly. I cycle regularly, and I give blood regularly, and my levels stay in check. I worry more about passing the prescreening iron finger-prick test more than anything else. I do try to land my appointment in the later half of a cycle, but I give as often as their requirements allow.

Side note: for some, donating often my be a problem. I'm not sure why exactly, but there are some medical conditions where you wouldn't want to donate too often. Just be aware of that.

Frequent donation can be an issue, particularly with us older guys, but it's always a good idea to pull an iron panel periodically anyway, which would alert you to most issues. I pull an iron panel ~ twice per year now when pulling my other self ordered labs. The iron panel I order includes serum iron, total iron binding capacity, ferritin, and transferrin.
Some guys do tank their ferritin with frequent donations and for some it isn't an issue. Definitely should be monitor it though.

**Windex** · 08-27-2018, 06:41 PM

I've been thinking to donate myself. Unfortunately minimum clearance time after being tattoo'd is 90 days which I haven't been eligible for all year...

**almostgone** · 08-27-2018, 07:03 PM

Red Cross centers are a little more lenient here if it is done by a regulated artist/facility.

Wait 12 months after a tattoo if the tattoo was applied in a state that does not regulate tattoo facilities. Currently, the only states that DO NOT regulate tattoo facilities are: District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Utah and Wyoming. This requirement is related to concerns about hepatitis. Learn more about hepatitis and blood donation.

A tattoo is acceptable if the tattoo was applied by a state-regulated entity using sterile needles and ink that is not reused. Cosmetic tattoos applied in a licensed establishment in a regulated state using sterile needles and ink that is not reused is acceptable. You should discuss your particular situation with the health historian at the time of donation.

**balance** · 08-27-2018, 07:32 PM

Originally Posted by Chrisp83TRT

Having high hemocrit isn’t something to be concerned with unless you have high platelets. If you don’t , it’s typical for your hemocrit to be high from using test and isn’t something to be worried about. A lot of people get worried about this but it’s something many need to research.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This is the first time I have seen someone mention that high hematocrit is not a big issue unless platelets are also high. Can you provide further information about this?

Thank you

**almostgone** · 08-27-2018, 08:15 PM

Originally Posted by balance

This is the first time I have seen someone mention that high hematocrit is not a big issue unless platelets are also high. Can you provide further information about this?

Thank you

The information I got from both my cardiologist and my oncologist is that high hematocrit is a concern, but high hematocrit and high platelet levels are much more of a concern due to the greatly increased risk of spontaneous clotting.
You can read up on hematocrit levels and thrombocythemia on most reputable medical websites. I am.partial to the mayoclinic dot org website.
Personally, I would not entirely ignore hematocrit values as high levels do cause issues (especially for those with clotting disorders). High hematocrit and high platelet levels are much more of an issue, though.

**B.Corgan SMP** · 08-27-2018, 08:28 PM

Originally Posted by Windex

I've been thinking to donate myself. Unfortunately minimum clearance time after being tattoo'd is 90 days which I haven't been eligible for all year...

Don't tell them, I was freshly inked a week before donating. They also ask if you abuse steroids , are you truthful with that inquiry as well?

**cmax** · 08-28-2018, 02:27 PM

You can still give blood when on a steroid cycle. The dosage of steroids available in a donated point of blood will be so minimal it won't cause any effects to the recipient. Any testosterone /steroids in the donated blood will be disposed of by the recipient's liver within a few hours.

However, if you tell them you are on injectable steroids, they will throw out your blood because people who use needles for drugs are seen by them as being statistically at a higher risk for contracting HIV, Hepatitis, etc. This is based on the overall statistics of the demographics of people who use injectable drugs Heroin, Crack, Steroids, etc and not any logic associated with individual cases.

It's actually considered healthy to donate blood while on gear to reduce the chances of blood clots and other issues associated with high hematocrit levels.