High hematocrit levels- mid cycle test results

[mmazz]

Hi all, just got my mid cycle test results back (did it 6 weeks in on a 10 week cycle) and my hematocrit level is slightly elevated, 50.4% currently. My only thing is for some reason when I give over a certain amount of blood I pass out, don't hate needles no anxiety at all it just happens. So I have 2 weeks left on cycle w a hematocrit level of 50.4 and all my other numbers are normal.. I've been taking baby asparin every night since week 2 of my cycle. Do I absolutely need to donate blood since I only have 2 weeks left? Or can I hold off? Also going to pick up some grapefruit as there's a new study out that 1/2 a grapefruit a day can lower hematocrit levels in humans. Thanks in advance!

[Docd187123]

Don't buy into a single study that as far as I know has not been replicated or peer reviewed.

Donating blood is the best way to lower your HCT.

[probuild42]

Agree with Docd.

IMO donate blood! You will feel better after to doing so. At least I always do. I donate ever 60 days on cycle or not.

[fit2bOld]

Donate. Best thing to do.

[RangerDanger830]

Doc doesn't have to donate too often since his period takes care of most of it

[--->>405<<---]

had labs yesterday and my hematocrit was 50.5

doc said "its not an emergency, just get there when u can."

i went yesterday, and this was the first time ive ever donated blood. i actually felt better when i left physically, had a great night sleep (10+hrs) and a great back workout today.

go donate man.. chances are youll be okay, but who the hell wants to gamble with stroke or heart attack? id take dizziness/fainting any day.

[mmazz]

Well I guess I'm donating then... Any tips on how not to pass out from giving that much blood?

[kelkel]

Doc doesn't have to donate too often since his period takes care of most of it

Wait.......what....?

[Docd187123]

Doc doesn't have to donate too often since his period takes care of most of it

What happens if you drink it? Does it add back to your original values lol??

[Black]

What happens if you drink it? Does it add back to your original values lol??

Yes, the same applies to eating boogers as well.

[--->>405<<---]

Well I guess I'm donating then... Any tips on how not to pass out from giving that much blood?

i went immediately AFTer my workout and my PWO meal which was a pound of chicken breast and a pound of potato.

eat carbs before u go.

[RangerDanger830]

Yes, the same applies to eating boogers as well.

Boogers have too much sodium, they just make me bloat.

For the sake of actually contributing to this post you usually drop ~4% HCT per pint. It seems plausible since I did last time I bloodlet.

[austinite]

Donate, hydrate and better yet, double RBC when HCT is high.

[Docd187123]

Donate, hydrate and better yet, double RBC when HCT is high.

Went to donate today and they turned me down bc of marks on my arms near where they'd draw from. FYI, don't do any voodoo floss mobility work the few days leading up to a blood donation

[austinite]

Went to donate today and they turned me down bc of marks on my arms near where they'd draw from. FYI, don't do any voodoo floss mobility work the few days leading up to a blood donation

Told you to lay off that stuff! haha. I quit donating partially for that reason.

[Docd187123]

Told you to lay off that stuff! haha. I quit donating partially for that reason.

I'm about to just do it in the bathroom again. I wasted an hour or more driving there to the college campus where it was being held, walked across the campus in pouring rain, did the questionnaire, only to be turned down before they offered me brownies. Communists I tell you!

[RangerDanger830]

I'm about to just do it in the bathroom again. I wasted an hour or more driving there to the college campus where it was being held, walked across the campus in pouring rain, did the questionnaire, only to be turned down before they offered me brownies. Communists I tell you!

Call me ghetto but I use an IV catheter with the line attached and just drain it into a measuring cup.

[Docd187123]

Call me ghetto but I use an IV catheter with the line attached and just drain it into a measuring cup.

Ok, ghetto, but I did similar only into a water bottle lol. I just prefer going to the Red Cross in case someone can actually use my blood. I'm O+ so I guess it's in high demand.

[RangerDanger830]

Ok, ghetto, but I did similar only into a water bottle lol. I just prefer going to the Red Cross in case someone can actually use my blood. I'm O+ so I guess it's in high demand.

I am A+ so nothing too special here. I would have to lie on half the questions in order to get them to do it.

[mmazz]

Wow just donated, only 1 pint think I would've passed out, and I feel like a million bucks. No more shortness of breath and no more lethargy. I guess that high hematocrit was really killing me. If anybody with the same problems is reading this thread: GO DONATE. Btw guy was so excited when he checked my iron levels he said they had to be 12.5 and it was 17.9. Dat dere test.

[Times Roman]

...........and don't forget the baby aspirin