My botched phlebotomy

[SEOINAGE]

Are you low in body weight currently? Under eating? First time I donated blood my blood pressure dropped dramatically, they bicycled my legs and put a cold pack on my neck and I was fine, after went over and had my cookies and juice and then my vision started to get black, laid down and after a bit I felt fine. At the time I was poor and didn't eat well and was tiny. But I think there was a psychological component to it. Because I started to feel bad while eating, but then when my girlfriend asked me if I was ok it just got worse. Now I have done it myself a few times without issue, and at the blood donation center. I'm much larger now, and haven't had issues. Usually I get turned away from my high heart rate.

I wouldn't make a big deal about it, eat better the day before if you do it again, and have confidence that you'll be fine.

[suprarob]

I eat fine. I am optimal weight. I do hear what ya'll are saying but I am still not convinced it was in my head. I am very in tune with myself. However I will heed the advice found here and relate back how it goes next week when I get it done again.

One side note. I was wearing jeans,an under armor shirt and an Affliction long sleeve. I noticed others were wearing light clothes. Maybe they know something I don't.

[Bonaparte]

It has nothing to do with your clothes. Just eat well beforehand and don't look at the blood.
You're not on beta-blockers, are you?
What was your BP and heart rate before donating?

[Beethoven]

It has nothing to do with your clothes. Just eat well beforehand and don't look at the blood.
You're not on beta-blockers, are you?
What was your BP and heart rate before donating?

That is also a good point. I know at the Red Cross that is all checked before anything is done. I have had my BP drop afterwards a bit, which was a bit higher due to the hematocrit being high.

[suprarob]

It has nothing to do with your clothes. Just eat well beforehand and don't look at the blood.
You're not on beta-blockers, are you?
What was your BP and heart rate before donating?

What's a beta-blocker? Not sure of my BP and heart rate before but nurse took it and wasn't alarmed. I think my heart was 74 bpm.

[Beethoven]

Well did my second therapeutic phlebotomy today. Hope yours goes as good as mine.

[suprarob]

Well did my second therapeutic phlebotomy today. Hope yours goes as good as mine.

How did your first one go? Was this one better?

[Beethoven]

How did your first one go? Was this one better?

Mine always go very well. I'm getting to know the nice people there which makes it a very pleasant and somewhat enjoyable experience. I always take my I Pad when I go and watch some shows I have on it. The sight of blood doesn't really bother me but I don't look anyway.

[suprarob]

I'm going again tomorrow. Wish me well.

[Beethoven]

I'm going again tomorrow. Wish me well.

Good luck. Don't dwell on it or look at it. Take an I pad or something.

[The Noose]

^ This sounds like great advice.

[suprarob]

So I go in today for labs then head over to phlebotomy section. Same nurse walks back in and says "thank god I dont have to take your blood. It has dropped (RBC) to 44. She said I told the dr please don't make me take this mans blood again". Ok what ever the hell that means it dropped from just over 50 to 44. Good to go?

I think I got a double blood draw last week by accident.

[Lifted1]

44% hematocrit level is fine.

[Beethoven]

44% hematocrit level is fine.

Agreed. You may have gotten a bit more than one unit. I don't think that still would have made you pass out. Six points in one draw is a lot though. Either way, problem solved for now. Stay on top of it and don't let it past fifty.

[suprarob]

Agreed. You may have gotten a bit more than one unit. I don't think that still would have made you pass out. Six points in one draw is a lot though. Either way, problem solved for now. Stay on top of it and don't let it past fifty.

How do you recommend that I stop it from crossing 50?

[Beethoven]

How do you recommend that I stop it from crossing 50?

How long did it take to get there? I'm having mine checked monthly, as soon as I get to fifty I'll have a draw.

[suprarob]

How long did it take to get there? I'm having mine checked monthly, as soon as I get to fifty I'll have a draw.

2 years

[The Deadlifting Dog]

How do you recommend that I stop it from crossing 50?

Go with a lower dose of testosterone .
Stay hydrated.

[suprarob]

Just got a call from my dr that my Hematocrit dropped to 32% when he tested it yesterday again. Is that even possible?

[Beethoven]

Just got a call from my dr that my Hematocrit dropped to 32% when he tested it yesterday again. Is that even possible?

I can only imagine that their testing system is quite a bit off. I don't think there's anyway you could have been at 54% and dropped to 32% in one draw. I would check out my thread on at home tests and start testing yourself. If your first test was through BW, how did they test you this time? One of them is off. The other possibility is what would explain what happened to you the first time. If that's the case, I wouldn't let them anywhere near me again and find a blood donation center. I know it's against your religious beliefs but you're better off there for your own good.

[Bonaparte]

Just got a call from my dr that my Hematocrit dropped to 32% when he tested it yesterday again. Is that even possible?

No way in hell unless you have a serious GI bleed or something that has cost you nearly half your blood since then (we're talking a loss of 2-3 liters of blood that hasn't been replenished at all).

[suprarob]

I can only imagine that their testing system is quite a bit off. I don't think there's anyway you could have been at 54% and dropped to 32% in one draw. I would check out my thread on at home tests and start testing yourself. If your first test was through BW, how did they test you this time? One of them is off. The other possibility is what would explain what happened to you the first time. If that's the case, I wouldn't let them anywhere near me again and find a blood donation center. I know it's against your religious beliefs but you're better off there for your own good.

No way in hell unless you have a serious GI bleed or something that has cost you nearly half your blood since then (we're talking a loss of 2-3 liters of blood that hasn't been replenished at all).

It was in the 50's 4 months ago before this debacle started. I had gotten it down to 47% by drinking water and reducing my Test some. Then after I went and got the botched phlebotomy I got tested yesterday and the Lab Corp Hematocrit is 32.4. I'm telling you they almost killed me reflecting back. I am going to consult my attorney.

[Bonaparte]

It was in the 50's 4 months ago before this debacle started. I had gotten it down to 47% by drinking water and reducing my Test some. Then after I went and got the botched phlebotomy I got tested yesterday and the Lab Corp Hematocrit is 32.4. I'm telling you they almost killed me reflecting back. I am going to consult my attorney.

Again, that would only be possible if they drew like 4 or 5 bags of blood. Your lab values are wrong.

[xcraider37]

It was in the 50's 4 months ago before this debacle started. I had gotten it down to 47% by drinking water and reducing my Test some. Then after I went and got the botched phlebotomy I got tested yesterday and the Lab Corp Hematocrit is 32.4. I'm telling you they almost killed me reflecting back. I am going to consult my attorney.

Dude post your hemoglobin and rbc from your last bloodwork.

[lovbyts]

It was in the 50's 4 months ago before this debacle started. I had gotten it down to 47% by drinking water and reducing my Test some. Then after I went and got the botched phlebotomy I got tested yesterday and the Lab Corp Hematocrit is 32.4. I'm telling you they almost killed me reflecting back. I am going to consult my attorney.

An attorney will tell you that you only have a case if you can prove there was some type of damage done to you and with medical it usually has to be permanent damage.

It sounds like you got what you wanted. Its lower now than original and I bet it will be in the normal range soon enough.

[suprarob]

An attorney will tell you that you only have a case if you can prove there was some type of damage done to you and with medical it usually has to be permanent damage.

It sounds like you got what you wanted. Its lower now than original and I bet it will be in the normal range soon enough.

Panic attacks count?

[Beethoven]

Dude, concentrate on YOUR well begin. If you think the Dr is a problem, find a new one and avoid future problems. If you want to double check your lab, go to a blood donation center and get your levels checked. An Attorney can't do any of those, your time is better spent other ways. You're Dr should have been questioning such a drop in your hematocrit levels. (Assuming the test was not in error)

[suprarob]

Dude post your hemoglobin and rbc from your last bloodwork.

Hematocrit was 53% then 51%


11/27/2013

Lab Test Results

Estradiol


Test Low Normal High Reference Range Units
Estradiol 25.3 7.6-42.6 pg/mL

Prostate-Specific Ag, Serum


Test Low Normal High Reference Range Units
Prostate Specific Ag, Serum 0.8 0.0-4.0 ng/mL

Testosterone , Serum


Test Low Normal High Reference Range Units
Testosterone, Serum 795 348-1197 ng/dL

Cbc With Differential/Platelet


Test Low Normal High Reference Range Units
Hemoglobin 18.9 12.6-17.7 g/dL
Mcv 89 79-97 fL
Mchc 35.5 31.5-35.7 g/dL
Platelets 184 155-379 x10E3/uL
Monocytes 12 4-12 %
Monocytes(Absolute) 0.7 0.1-0.9 x10E3/uL
Eos (Absolute) 0.1 0.0-0.4 x10E3/uL
Immature Granulocytes 0 0-2 %
Immature Grans (Abs) 0.0 0.0-0.1 x10E3/uL
Rbc 5.97 4.14-5.80 x10E6/uL
Wbc 5.5 3.4-10.8 x10E3/uL
Lymphs (Absolute) 1.8 0.7-3.1 x10E3/uL
Neutrophils (Absolute) 2.9 1.4-7.0 x10E3/uL
Basos 0 0-3 %
Eos 2 0-5 %
Lymphs 33 14-46 %
Neutrophils 53 40-74 %
Rdw 13.7 12.3-15.4 %
Mch 31.7 26.6-33.0 pg
Hematocrit 53.3 37.5-51.0 %
Baso (Absolute) 0.0 0.0-0.2 x10E3/uL

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

5/29/2014
2:11 PM
Attachment Original lab test results (5/31/2014 11:37:09 AM).pdf
.PDF

Lab Test Results

Dhea, Serum


Test Low Normal High Reference Range Units
Dehydroepiandrosterone (Dhea) 134 31-701 ng/dL

Testosterone, Free, Direct


Test Low Normal High Reference Range Units
Free Testosterone(Direct) 15.6 7.2-24.0 pg/mL

Tsh


Test Low Normal High Reference Range Units
Tsh 3.250 0.450-4.500 uIU/mL

Urinalysis, Routine


Test Low Normal High Reference Range Units
Specific Gravity 1.021 1.005-1.030 1
Protein Negative Negative/Trace
Ketones Negative Negative
Bilirubin Negative Negative
Microscopic Examination Microscopic not indicated and not performed.
Glucose Negative Negative
Nitrite, Urine Negative Negative
Urobilinogen,Semi-Qn 0.2 0.0-1.9 mg/dL
Occult Blood Negative Negative
Wbc Esterase Negative Negative
Appearance Clear Clear
Urine-Color Yellow Yellow
Ph 6.0 5.0-7.5 1

Cbc With Differential/Platelet


Test Low Normal High Reference Range Units
Rbc 5.96 4.14-5.80 x10E6/uL
Hemoglobin 18.4 12.6-17.7 g/dL
Mcv 87 79-97 fL
Mch 30.9 26.6-33.0 pg
Platelets 190 155-379 x10E3/uL
Neutrophils 52 40-74 %
Lymphs 32 14-46 %
Monocytes 15 4-12 %
Lymphs (Absolute) 1.6 0.7-3.1 x10E3/uL
Monocytes(Absolute) 0.8 0.1-0.9 x10E3/uL
Eos (Absolute) 0.1 0.0-0.4 x10E3/uL
Baso (Absolute) 0.0 0.0-0.2 x10E3/uL
Immature Granulocytes 0 0-2 %
Immature Grans (Abs) 0.0 0.0-0.1 x10E3/uL
Wbc 4.9 3.4-10.8 x10E3/uL
Hematocrit 51.9 37.5-51.0 %
Neutrophils (Absolute) 2.5 1.4-7.0 x10E3/uL
Eos 1 0-5 %
Mchc 35.5 31.5-35.7 g/dL
Basos 0 0-3 %
Rdw 13.7 12.3-15.4 %

Testosterone, Serum


Test Low Normal High Reference Range Units
Comment: Adult male reference interval is based on a population of lean males up to 40 years old.
Testosterone, Serum 696 348-1197 ng/dL

Prostate-Specific Ag, Serum


Test Low Normal High Reference Range Units
Prostate Specific Ag, Serum 0.9 0.0-4.0 ng/mL

Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy


Test Low Normal High Reference Range Units
Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy 40.4 30.0-100.0 ng/mL

Comp. Metabolic Panel (14)


Test Low Normal High Reference Range Units
Glucose, Serum 79 65-99 mg/dL
Bun 18 6-24 mg/dL
Creatinine, Serum 1.23 0.76-1.27 mg/dL
Egfr If Nonafricn Am 66 >59 mL/min/1.73
Egfr If Africn Am 76 >59 mL/min/1.73
Bun/Creatinine Ratio 15 9-20 1
Sodium, Serum 138 134-144 mmol/L
Potassium, Serum 4.3 3.5-5.2 mmol/L
Chloride, Serum 102 97-108 mmol/L
Carbon Dioxide, Total 25 19-28 mmol/L
Calcium, Serum 9.2 8.7-10.2 mg/dL
Protein, Total, Serum 6.5 6.0-8.5 g/dL
Albumin, Serum 4.6 3.5-5.5 g/dL
Bilirubin, Total 0.6 0.0-1.2 mg/dL
Alkaline Phosphatase, S 44 39-117 IU/L
Ast (Sgot) 13 0-40 IU/L
Alt (Sgpt) 19 0-44 IU/L
A/G Ratio 2.4 1.1-2.5 1
Globulin, Total 1.9 1.5-4.5 g/dL

Lipid Panel


Test Low Normal High Reference Range Units
Cholesterol, Total 186 100-199 mg/dL
Triglycerides 131 0-149 mg/dL
Hdl Cholesterol 46 >39 mg/dL
Vldl Cholesterol Cal 26 5-40 mg/dL
Ldl Cholesterol Calc 114 0-99 mg/dL

Estradiol


Test Low Normal High Reference Range Units
Estradiol 11.8 7.6-42.6 pg/mL

Hcg ,Beta Subunit, Qnt, Serum


Test Low Normal High Reference Range Units
Hcg,Beta Subunit,Qnt,Serum 1 0-3 mIU/mL

Cardiovascular Risk Assessment


Test Low Normal High Reference Range Units
Interpretation Note
Pdf Image .


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++

[suprarob]

Notice Hematocrit went 47% then 41% then dropped to 32%. The original slow drop was from reducing my Test injections and increasing water intake.

[Bonaparte]

Your hematocrit was ideal a week after your phlebotomy at 44.4%. Then the next day it is 32.4%? Somebody obviously screwed up the lab work. You're fine, just traumatized from the fainting episode.

[suprarob]

Your hematocrit was ideal a week after your phlebotomy at 44.4%. Then the next day it is 32.4%? Somebody obviously screwed up the lab work. You're fine, just traumatized from the fainting episode.

I hear you but how do they "screw" up a blood test hema level?

[Bonaparte]

I hear you but how do they "screw" up a blood test hema level?

I'm not sure how it happened, but that's the only plausible explanation.
Either that or you shit out 4 pints of blood that night and didn't notice it.

[suprarob]

i'm not sure how it happened, but hat's the only plausible explanation.
Either that or you shit out 4 pints of blood that night and didn't notice it.

rotflmao

[lovbyts]

Panic attacks count?

Only if you can prove you have never had one before, a doctor testifies that according to your medical records there is no way you were prone to have them and most importantly that it's something that is going to continue to happen the rest of your life and effect you financially. The burden will be on you to prove all these things and they will have a panel of experts proving you are wrong.

Dont you think we have enough frivolous lawsuits already?

[suprarob]

Only if you can prove you have never had one before, a doctor testifies that according to your medical records there is no way you were prone to have them and most importantly that it's something that is going to continue to happen the rest of your life and effect you financially. The burden will be on you to prove all these things and they will have a panel of experts proving you are wrong.

Dont you think we have enough frivolous lawsuits already?

Point taken. On the flip side don't you think I should be entitled to a refund then? If I make a mistake in my company I don't charge a client. Just saying.

[lovbyts]

Point taken. On the flip side don't you think I should be entitled to a refund then? If I make a mistake in my company I don't charge a client. Just saying.

Sure they might go for that but what is your time worth? Will it be worth going through the process, hoops and red tape to get it done?

[Beethoven]

Sure they might go for that but what is your time worth? Will it be worth going through the process, hoops and red tape to get it done?

I agree. I Refer back to my original point, your time is better spent doing other things. You probably need a new Dr, given members of this forum could tell what he obviously missed, or rather didn't question. He didn't even raise an eyebrow at the difference in your hematocrit level, when you only drop two to three points at best each one. I've had less than that and they want to do an endoscopy. ( story for another time )

[The Noose]

^ I would agree - focus your energy on positive areas of your life and write-off this experience.

[lovbyts]

I agree. I Refer back to my original point, your time is better spent doing other things. You probably need a new Dr, given members of this forum could tell what he obviously missed, or rather didn't question. He didn't even raise an eyebrow at the difference in your hematocrit level, when you only drop two to three points at best each one. I've had less than that and they want to do an endoscopy. ( story for another time )

I think some doctors are just sadistic like that. lol

[suprarob]

I think some doctors are just sadistic like that. lol

No doubt!