Blood donation

[gatornate97]

O my hematocrit level is at 49. So I am at the plasma donation site. Going through this process, it is news to me that they actually take the plasma out and return red blood cells!?

Does that lower your hemoglobin and hematocrit levels even though they are returning your red cells? Stupid question, but I have no clue...

Thanks for the help

[2Sox]

O my hematocrit level is at 49. So I am at the plasma donation site. Going through this process, it is news to me that they actually take the plasma out and return red blood cells!?

Does that lower your hemoglobin and hematocrit levels even though they are returning your red cells? Stupid question, but I have no clue...

Thanks for the help

From my knowledge you want to give WHOLE blood. High crit means your blood is too thick and you need to rid the body or excess red blood cells.

[xcraider37]

O my hematocrit level is at 49. So I am at the plasma donation site. Going through this process, it is news to me that they actually take the plasma out and return red blood cells!?

Does that lower your hemoglobin and hematocrit levels even though they are returning your red cells? Stupid question, but I have no clue...

Thanks for the help

As 2sox said do a whole blood or double red blood cell donation. Basically your hemoglobin is the important thing here as you want that to go down which in turn will lower your hematocrit. I really do not consider 49 high if you have levels that stay fairly consistant you can elect not to donate.

[gatornate97]

Thanks guys!!

You guys were right, seems I need whole blood. The plasma place I went to actually takes white blood cells.

[bass]

whole blood or double reds is what you want to do, but at 49 hematocrit you're still in the normal range!

[gatornate97]

whole blood or double reds is what you want to do, but at 49 hematocrit you're still in the normal range!

It's been rising steadily.
Figured I would stay ahead if it before it went over since it has risen 3% in 2 months

Is that bad logic? That was my logic anyway

[bass]

It's been rising steadily.
Figured I would stay ahead if it before it went over since it has risen 3% in 2 months

Is that bad logic? That was my logic anyway

smart move! its good for you and the recipient!

[2Sox]

smart move! its good for you and the recipient!

^^^Agreed. My crit was at 53% a few months back. Visited the red cross and next bw was 48%. Two months later, I gave another unit. Nothing like being safe.

BTW, depending on where you are donating, only certain blood types can give a double red cell donation.

[gatornate97]

I found a blood donation clinic where they do whole and double red. Thanks for the feedback fellas.it helped out a ton!

I'm gonna go next week, my logic being that I was at 45 before TRT and I'm going to just start the process of donating every 3 months to try and keep it at 45 like when I began.

Figured it's better to stay in front of the issue instead of chasing it once you get too far behind

[kelkel]

If your H&H are continually rising you may consider titrating your dose down slightly as well. Nobody wants to hear that but it helps.

[gatornate97]

If your H&H are continually rising you may consider titrating your dose down slightly as well. Nobody wants to hear that but it helps.

You're right! I don't like hearing that lol

I'm only taking 100mg weekly split 2x week.
What's your thoughts in just donating every 3 months to maintain levels? Is it smart logic? Or is it really better to titrate down? I'd rather not dose lower, being everything else seems to be leveling out properly...

[MyteeJ]

I donate every 60 days "to stay ahead of it". Mine will rise into the 50's if I don't and for me, I can tell during my cardio days when it's time.

[Rusty11]

If your H&H are continually rising you may consider titrating your dose down slightly as well. Nobody wants to hear that but it helps.

That's great advice and something I've recently done. HCT was 54.5. Donated for the first time and cut my t dose down, but kept my hcg dose the same. At my age(ooooold), a t level of greater than 800 really isn't needed. I guess I'll see if it's working next time I donate.