Donating Blood

**gbrice75** · 01-23-2013, 11:42 AM

Well, i'm at that point. My RBC count is over the reference range, and both hemoglobin and hematocrit are both right at the cusp. I've been advised to donate blood every few months, but I don't know how to proceed.

I remember a while back, somebody mentioned a post that explains the questions that will be asked and how to answer them so I have no issues. Can somebody please point me to it, or explain here? Much appreciated.

**GotNoBlueMilk** · 01-23-2013, 12:40 PM

It is perfectly fine to be on HRT and donate blood. This issue, and the question they ask, is if you are injecting anything NOT prescribed by a doc. If you are taking TRT via a prescription just say no to any question that asks if you are injecting anything not prescribed by a doc.

**APIs** · 01-23-2013, 12:45 PM

Originally Posted by GotNoBlueMilk

It is perfectly fine to be on HRT and donate blood. This issue, and the question they ask, is if you are injecting anything NOT prescribed by a doc. If you are taking TRT via a prescription just say no to any question that asks if you are injecting anything not prescribed by a doc.

x2. If you donate via the Red Cross they will ask such questions via a laptop computer which you operate yourself to complete the questionnaire. They're pretty straight-forward and you should not have any problems...

**krugerr** · 01-23-2013, 01:05 PM

This may sound like a stupid question. I've just signed up to donate blood, now, is it advised to not give blood whilst cycling? Don't they do blood checks first? The next time the van is around, it'll be part way through the Competition, so ill be on Test-E.

In the UK, in case that makes a difference.

-Krugerr

**Back In Black** · 01-23-2013, 02:04 PM

Krugerr, check the website, I'm pretty sure if you pin/have pinned yourself you're not allowed to give.

**jm100** · 01-23-2013, 02:11 PM

For those of us who aren't able to donate blood is there an alternative thing to do to prevent RBC/Hemoglobin/Hematocrit from going too high?

**Kalani9976** · 01-23-2013, 02:19 PM

Originally Posted by jm100

For those of us who aren't able to donate blood is there an alternative thing to do to prevent RBC/Hemoglobin/Hematocrit from going too high?

you could always self bleed yourself Bass made of vid of himself doing it.

**gbrice75** · 01-23-2013, 02:44 PM

Thanks guys, i'm not injecting anything not prescribed by a doc so I should be gtg. The question now is, where to go? What is the easiest least time costly way to go? Yes, I'm annoyed that I have to do this as my days are long enough as it is... lol

**ctenosaura** · 01-23-2013, 03:08 PM

Just google donating blood and your zip code and it will pull up local blood banks in your area with hours of operation

**APIs** · 01-23-2013, 03:35 PM

or redcross.org & enter your zip...

**bass** · 01-23-2013, 10:29 PM

red cross rejected me because I was on TRT, but that in Cali, so not sure else where!

**Times Roman** · 01-23-2013, 10:32 PM

I just found out when i donated blood two days ago that I can donate platelets every other week. this will REALLY bring down your RBC count!

**gbrice75** · 01-24-2013, 04:22 AM

Thanks all, registered with Red Cross and am going to look into local blood banks today. I hope TRT isn't a problem though... I'll lie if I have to.

TR - you wouldn't necessarily want RBC TOO low though, right?

**APIs** · 01-24-2013, 08:42 AM

Originally Posted by gbrice75

Thanks all, registered with Red Cross and am going to look into local blood banks today. I hope TRT isn't a problem though... I'll lie if I have to.

TR - you wouldn't necessarily want RBC TOO low though, right?

TRT is not a problem unless "you" bring it up. You are not obligated to discuss the issue with them. The technicians give looks & sometimes throw in a stupid comment. Let's face it, we're not the typical person who comes in to donate. Looking at your AVI, be prepared, but just ignore them...

**Times Roman** · 01-24-2013, 09:12 AM

Originally Posted by gbrice75

Thanks all, registered with Red Cross and am going to look into local blood banks today. I hope TRT isn't a problem though... I'll lie if I have to.

TR - you wouldn't necessarily want RBC TOO low though, right?

too high or too low can be a problem

**jaybigboy34** · 01-24-2013, 10:54 AM

i tried to donate blood and they prick your finger to check your Hematocrit level. Mine was too high so they wouldn't let me donate. So now i'm going to have to ask my Dr what to do next.

**kelkel** · 01-24-2013, 10:59 AM

Jay your doc can write you a script for a therapeutic blood draw. You'll be fine.

GB, good advice above. Start drinking more water and take a baby aspirin at night (don't admit to the aspirin) which helps. Also there is no cost to this. It's good for you and good for society.

**J DIESEL3** · 01-24-2013, 11:19 AM

Originally Posted by jaybigboy34

i tried to donate blood and they prick your finger to check your Hematocrit level. Mine was too high so they wouldn't let me donate. So now i'm going to have to ask my Dr what to do next.

The last time i donated at the local blood bank my came back at 18.I asked her what happens if it came back really elevated.She said well we can still let you donate if you are on hormones like testosterone but not if its just elevated....Anyone ever hear that one??

**gbrice75** · 01-24-2013, 12:07 PM

Originally Posted by APIs

TRT is not a problem unless "you" bring it up. You are not obligated to discuss the issue with them. The technicians give looks & sometimes throw in a stupid comment. Let's face it, we're not the typical person who comes in to donate. Looking at your AVI, be prepared, but just ignore them...

Thanks for the heads up, good stuff to know. I guess in this instance I should be happy I don't have YOUR avy!

Originally Posted by jaybigboy34

i tried to donate blood and they prick your finger to check your Hematocrit level. Mine was too high so they wouldn't let me donate. So now i'm going to have to ask my Dr what to do next.

What's considered 'too high'? Do you remember what your number was? Mine is JUST on the cusp of going over the reference range.

Originally Posted by kelkel

Jay your doc can write you a script for a therapeutic blood draw. You'll be fine.

GB, good advice above. Start drinking more water and take a baby aspirin at night (don't admit to the aspirin) which helps. Also there is no cost to this. It's good for you and good for society.

Thanks Kel. I guess we're just looking to thin the blood a bit to keep it flowing nicely?

Can I expect to feel any differently after? i.e. will the lowered RBC/Hemoglobin/Hematocrit levels have any noticeable impact, either positive or negative?

PS - Although I'm doing this out of necessity, I am glad to be doing it at all. Regardless of my reason, it'll still help somebody in need. Gotta feel good about that.

**kelkel** · 01-24-2013, 12:13 PM

Personally I "feel" better after donating. And yes, you should be doing this. I'm due to donate now myself. Remember to pretend to pass out when you get out of the donation chair. The nurses like that. Funny side bar: they always give me directly to the nurse in training and ask me if it's ok, saying you have big veins and are good for training. Feel sorta used....maybe I should donate sperm...

**gbrice75** · 01-24-2013, 12:45 PM

Originally Posted by kelkel

Personally I "feel" better after donating. And yes, you should be doing this. I'm due to donate now myself. Remember to pretend to pass out when you get out of the donation chair. The nurses like that. Funny side bar: they always give me directly to the nurse in training and ask me if it's ok, saying you have big veins and are good for training. Feel sorta used....maybe I should donate sperm...

Bahahahahaha!!!

**Torqued** · 01-24-2013, 02:16 PM

Originally Posted by Times Roman

I just found out when i donated blood two days ago that I can donate platelets every other week. this will REALLY bring down your RBC count!

Donating platelets should not decrease your RBC:

http://www.redcrossblood.org/donatin...telet-donation

What is a Platelet Donation?

During a platelet donation, a small portion of your blood (about 1/4 pint at a time), is drawn from your arm and passed through a sophisticated cell-separating machine. The machine collects the platelets and safely returns the remaining blood components, along with some saline, back to you. After the donation you can resume your normal activities, avoiding heavy lifting or strenuous exercise that day.

"remaining blood components" includes RBC's.

**jaybigboy34** · 01-24-2013, 02:23 PM

I told her that mine was elevated because of taking testosterone but they still wouldn't take it

**jaybigboy34** · 01-24-2013, 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by jaybigboy34

i tried to donate blood and they prick your finger to check your Hematocrit level. Mine was too high so they wouldn't let me donate. So now i'm going to have to ask my Dr what to do next.
What's considered 'too high'? Do you remember what your number was? Mine is JUST on the cusp of going over the reference range.

the range was 35 to 54. mine was 58

**jaybigboy34** · 01-24-2013, 02:30 PM

my question is how often do you need to donate blood?

**BuzzardMarinePumper** · 01-24-2013, 02:45 PM

With the Red Cross it is every 56 days and if you goggle blood donation it is just plain ole healthy for everyone that can to give blood ! I was told by Red Cross that giving platlets does take some red blood cells so I am giving platlets EOW , I think they do it on purpose the nurses are hotties and flirt and I will give platelets 3 times and then stop and then give blood again around March 16th whole blood ! I felt great 2 das after I gave blood. Never felr bad except before I gave blood but 2 days after I felt Great !

**Ricci82** · 01-24-2013, 05:22 PM

I just donated blood 3 weeks ago. I told the nurse taking my info exactly what i was doing, test injections. Apparently it was fine, they didnt even shrug their shoulders. I saw the big red bus in a parking lot and i was done in 30 minutes.

**Far from massive** · 01-24-2013, 05:35 PM

I wonder if the reason for not taking blood with high RBC's and no test is because of the possibility of passing the condition through the donated blood? If you can then it would make sense that if you use TRT or Test then its no problem because that is the cause of the high RBC's and you can't catch steroids LOL.

Myself I don't have to worry, I got a vacuum pump going to a 16 oz vessel feeding a plastic tube attached to a winged infusion set with a 22g needle this allows me to pull my blood throught the small needle (easier on the vein) even when its like honey due to mulitgram blasts.

**krugerr** · 01-24-2013, 05:37 PM

The idea of self-bleeding is ok. But I'm pretty sure I would pass out. Blood is fine, but my own blood sends me queazy. I sliced the back of my hand open with a Stanley knife, I must of lost a pint, I've never felt so feint. I think doing this myself, I'd pass out and bleed out!

**Times Roman** · 01-24-2013, 09:05 PM

Originally Posted by kelkel

Jay your doc can write you a script for a therapeutic blood draw. You'll be fine.

GB, good advice above. Start drinking more water and take a baby aspirin at night (don't admit to the aspirin) which helps. Also there is no cost to this. It's good for you and good for society.

not all docs will do this. my doc, who works for kaiser, said it is against kaiser policy to write such a Rx

**Torqued** · 01-24-2013, 09:17 PM

Try checking with different blood banks on what their ranges/criteria are for rejecting a donation because of Hct or Hgb. I hit up an independent blood bank today near me. My Hct was 50 - about where it was when I last donated 6 weeks ago at a different blood bank.. This bank said their cutoff for rejecting a donation due to Hct was 60! They're very aggressive about getting donations, too... wanted me to go for double reds today but I opted for whole blood instead.