Giving blood ?

Gave blood Saturday due to trt even though my hematocrit was only 46, while there I noticed I can give double reds. Is there any plus to doing this? High hematocrit has to do with rbc correct?

double reds, although delta blood bank doesn't offer it yet (requires special equipment, like a centrifuge) is good if your RBC is on the high end. I believe it is a 2 hour process, which probably means some bruising on the arm

donating blood is just plain good for your health too.

i remember keith richards would get blood transfusions, and after, he's say, "man, i feel like a million bucks!"

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Times Roman

double reds, although delta blood bank doesn't offer it yet (requires special equipment, like a centrifuge) is good if your RBC is on the high end. I believe it is a 2 hour process, which probably means some bruising on the arm donating blood is just plain good for your health too. i remember keith richards would get blood transfusions, and after, he's say, "man, i feel like a million bucks!"

---

yes I used to give a lot, Red Cross does a lot for military personal to include paying to get me home for a family emergency. I'm gonna give every two months since I'm on trt now. Doesn't hematocrit being high mean you have to many rbc? They did have the machines set up there, I was just kinda curious.

It only takes a little longer than whole blood. The advantage is that they extract twice as many RBCs, so it has double the effect on your hematocrit (which is the percentage of your blood comprised of RBCs). There is no more potential for bruising than a whole blood donation.

The downside to double RBC donation though is twice the wait time as usual. It's a trade off.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bonaparte

It only takes a little longer than whole blood. The advantage is that they extract twice as many RBCs, so it has double the effect on your hematocrit (which is the percentage of your blood comprised of RBCs). There is no more potential for bruising than a whole blood donation.

---

thanks this is all I was wondering about. I will keep giving blood but if my readings go up I know I can give dreds. Learn something everyday.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Docd187123

The downside to double RBC donation though is twice the wait time as usual. It's a trade off.

---

It doesn't. I've done both on multiple occasions and double reds only takes a bit longer. Plus, the majority of the time spent at the blood bank usually isn't spent with a needle in your arm. It's the waiting around, filling out forms, getting vitals, etc, so even doubling your draw time would save a lot more time than making twice as many visits.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bonaparte

It doesn't. I've done both on multiple occasions and double reds only takes a bit longer. Plus, the majority of the time spent at the blood bank usually isn't spent with a needle in your arm. It's the waiting around, filling out forms, getting vitals, etc, so even doubling your draw time would save a lot more time than making twice as many visits.

---

I think he meant time between donations. With double red you have to wait 16 week between donations. At least at my place you do. I have been thinking about trying it. Only takes 20-30 minutes to donate. They use a saline solution and a anticoagulant in the IV.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bonaparte

It doesn't. I've done both on multiple occasions and double reds only takes a bit longer. Plus, the majority of the time spent at the blood bank usually isn't spent with a needle in your arm. It's the waiting around, filling out forms, getting vitals, etc, so even doubling your draw time would save a lot more time than making twice as many visits.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by LT75

I think he meant time between donations. With double red you have to wait 16 week between donations. At least at my place you do. I have been thinking about trying it. Only takes 20-30 minutes to donate. They use a saline solution and a anticoagulant in the IV.

---

Correct LT75, I meant time in between donations not time at the center. Sorry if I worded that poorly Bonaparte

Ohh ok.
Yeah, that is true.