Possible rethink on donating blood, but worried about being a hypocrite?

**Times Roman** · 07-20-2012, 06:46 PM

This thread is related to the other one
http://forums.steroid.com/showthread...elf-Bleed-quot

so i've been thinking maybe the solution is to donate blood. but here's my delimma

30 years ago, i lived in europe where there was a statistically significant exposure to mad cow disease. Even though the incubation period is only 10 years max, I now have a life time "deferrment" preventing me from donating.

My RBC is too high, and my doc will not siphon off a pint every couple of months or so. His solution is to reduce my trt dose of test from 80 to 60mg/week. my total test is 31 points higher than the upper limit of the range. I came off a blast 6 weeks ago and think that my RBC is artificially high due to this. I asked my doc to check my free test, but he didn't.

I've been thinking of just bleeding myself but that could be a hassle. No fear associated with doing so, just messy and it would take awhile. If the woman found out, she'd think i was nutts.

So now i'm thinking of maybe donating again like i had been in afghanistan.

The hypocracy part is because in the past, i was telling certain blokes not to answer the questioner falsely just to be able to donate. And now i'm thinking of doing the same thing.

I'm on the fence here lads. What do you blokes think?

**Brazensol** · 07-20-2012, 07:12 PM

Are you currently in California or anywhere in the US? Seems to me your doc should be able to get you a medical phlebotomy to lower your hematocrit. If your hematocrit is high then they should treat you because this is not a safe condition to be in. They just destroy the blood instead of using it for other medical purposes. My doc was the one to bring that up with me. Good luck.

**Times Roman** · 07-20-2012, 07:17 PM

Originally Posted by Brazensol

Are you currently in California or anywhere in the US? Seems to me your doc should be able to get you a medical phlebotomy to lower your hematocrit. If your hematocrit is high then they should treat you because this is not a safe condition to be in. They just destroy the blood instead of using it for other medical purposes. My doc was the one to bring that up with me. Good luck.

yes, cali
no, my doc won't do it

**Brazensol** · 07-20-2012, 07:30 PM

Amazing since that is a valid medical condition that needs attention. Sorry to hear it. Any chance of getting a new doctor?

**Times Roman** · 07-20-2012, 07:31 PM

Originally Posted by Brazensol

Amazing since that is a valid medical condition that needs attention. Sorry to hear it. Any chance of getting a new doctor?

It's Kaiser, so it wouldn't matter. the docs are pretty much told what to think. between "kaiser policy" and the FDA, most of em are on auto pilot

**GirlyGymRat** · 07-20-2012, 07:44 PM

hmmmm doesnot seem like u to give blood to Red Cross for the purpose of draining...

can u donate plasma or platelets instead??? what about a vampire???????

**curioususer** · 07-20-2012, 07:52 PM

would it lower your testosterone if you donate your blood?

**Times Roman** · 07-20-2012, 07:59 PM

Originally Posted by GirlyGymRat

hmmmm doesnot seem like u to give blood to Red Cross for the purpose of draining...

can u donate plasma or platelets instead??? what about a vampire???????

ur not feeling "bite-ish" are you? =)

why doesn't it seem like me? I donated 3 liters while in afghanistan

Originally Posted by curioususer

would it lower your testosterone if you donate your blood?

I do not know the answer to that.

I suspect that the only amounts lost would be that carried in the blood stream. the rest is still waiting to be aromitized, pending, in muscle tissue

**MuscleInk** · 07-20-2012, 08:16 PM

Originally Posted by Times Roman

ur not feeling "bite-ish" are you? =)

why doesn't it seem like me? I donated 3 liters while in afghanistan

I do not know the answer to that.

I suspect that the only amounts lost would be that carried in the blood stream. the rest is still waiting to be aromitized, pending, in muscle tissue

Blood letting should have no significant impact on testosterone levels .

How about leeches!?! (j/k)

I'm going check with some of my clinics and colleagues for you.

**Times Roman** · 07-20-2012, 08:28 PM

Originally Posted by MuscleInk

Blood letting should have no significant impact on testosterone levels .

How about leeches!?! (j/k)

I'm going check with some of my clinics and colleagues for you.

I'd like to just bleed and not donate since struggling with the ethical implications. if you have any ideas, i'd be appreciative

**MuscleInk** · 07-20-2012, 08:32 PM

Originally Posted by Times Roman

I'd like to just bleed and not donate since struggling with the ethical implications. if you have any ideas, i'd be appreciative

Yes of course. That's the assumption I'm operating under.

I'll inquire about a medical phlebotomy with specimen destruction.

I'll get back to you ASAP.

**bass** · 07-20-2012, 10:22 PM

Exactly what i went through, that's why i decided to do it myself.

**GirlyGymRat** · 07-21-2012, 03:16 AM

Originally Posted by Times Roman

ur not feeling "bite-ish" are you? =)

why doesn't it seem like me? I donated 3 liters while in afghanistan

u helping others YES. u being a hypocrite NO

**Brazensol** · 07-21-2012, 08:25 AM

Can you switch insurance companies? Here is Aetna's policy:

http://www.aetna.com/cpb/medical/data/600_699/0652.html

**Times Roman** · 07-21-2012, 12:16 PM

Originally Posted by Brazensol

Can you switch insurance companies? Here is Aetna's policy:

http://www.aetna.com/cpb/medical/data/600_699/0652.html

no. not for this. plus my woman's open enrollment period is annual, not "at will".

**Vettester** · 07-21-2012, 01:11 PM

Originally Posted by Times Roman

The hypocracy part is because in the past, i was telling certain blokes not to answer the questioner falsely just to be able to donate. And now i'm thinking of doing the same thing.

TR, IMO, I see this as doing what you need to do to get by. Here's how I see it ... The blood banks will test your blood to make sure it's safe anyways.

The self bleeding thing just seems to have too many risks associated with it.

And the method your doctor is using to resolve this dilemma sounds so Kaiser! I swear if you went into them with an eye infection or headache, the first thing they want to do is stop the testosterone . They're so ignorant with this stuff!

**GirlyGymRat** · 07-21-2012, 09:06 PM

I don't like blood so the self bleeding approach wouldn't be for me and It seems that OP not had good experience....in the bigger picture, you got to take care of yourself...cuz seems no one else is

**GirlyGymRat** · 07-21-2012, 09:10 PM

I take it u couldn't find a vampire and the lipo idea, one pint of blood at a tim, wasnt gonna work for you???? ; )

Seriously, u need a solution that keeps u safe and well!

**Times Roman** · 07-21-2012, 09:23 PM

Originally Posted by GirlyGymRat

I don't like blood so the self bleeding approach wouldn't be for me and It seems that OP not had good experience....in the bigger picture, you got to take care of yourself...cuz seems no one else is

darlin, I'm "OP" =)

Originally Posted by GirlyGymRat

I take it u couldn't find a vampire and the lipo idea, one pint of blood at a tim, wasnt gonna work for you???? ; )

Seriously, u need a solution that keeps u safe and well!

I'm thinking more and more just to donate. I don't like the ethical implacations, but if i bleed myself, which is tricky since would be first time i've pinned a vein, then how am i supposed to lay down while drawing? i guess laying down is a very minor point.

**SEOINAGE** · 07-21-2012, 10:11 PM

sooo, why won't it just come down on its own in time because you are no longer blasting?

**bass** · 07-21-2012, 10:20 PM

Originally Posted by SEOINAGE

sooo, why won't it just come down on its own in time because you are no longer blasting?

even at low TRT dose levels go up where you need to donate every two month.

**GirlyGymRat** · 07-23-2012, 06:59 PM

Originally Posted by Times Roman

darlin, I'm "OP" =)

I'm thinking more and more just to donate. I don't like the ethical implacations, but if i bleed myself, which is tricky since would be first time i've pinned a vein, then how am i supposed to lay down while drawing? i guess laying down is a very minor point.

yes luv, OP in the other thread u started, so shall we start a new acroynm OT : )

do u know a person who can drain the blood safetly and then dispose the draw??? aka can u have someone with skills and equipment that can draw a pint and then u can dispose of the draw???

**Times Roman** · 07-23-2012, 07:31 PM

Originally Posted by GirlyGymRat

yes luv, OP in the other thread u started, so shall we start a new acroynm OT : )

do u know a person who can drain the blood safetly and then dispose the draw??? aka can u have someone with skills and equipment that can draw a pint and then u can dispose of the draw???

no, unfortunately, i don't....

there is a blood drive next weekend in Byron I may look into.....??
(30 miles away)