Donating blood when on TRT!
- Thread starter Spunkey71
- Start date
Megatron28
Moderator
Don't they put two needles in you for the double draw? Not sure you are getting out of being stuck. I may be wrong on this though.
halfwit
I like turtles.
Some use an apheresis machine to do it, which is actually a smaller gauge needle with a pump. I've only done double reds once, and it was just one needle, but twice the volume.
sounds like a plan.
I find this extremely interesting and beneficial if infact this is the case! Many of us on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) battle with high hct even though we do the regular 8 week whole blood donation so this could be a huge help. I googled this but found nothing on the subject so would love to hear anyone else's experiences with this. Obviously it has worked for you so would love to hear more info on this!
halfwit
I like turtles.
If you're in the US, head to the Red Cross' website and get the number for apheresis. They're going to be tickled pink that you want to donate and you'll be able to see for yourself THAT day how much it can change your HCT values as they take a Hb% before you donate during the screening and then again your Hb% is measured during the actual process during the end. Just multiply Hb% by 3 to get your HCT. You will be surprised at how much it lowers from just one apheresis. At least I know I was.
My .02c
Gbrad
Member
If you're in the US, head to the Red Cross' website and get the number for apheresis. They're going to be tickled pink that you want to donate and you'll be able to see for yourself THAT day how much it can change your HCT values as they take a Hb% before you donate during the screening and then again your Hb% is measured during the actual process during the end. Just multiply Hb% by 3 to get your HCT. You will be surprised at how much it lowers from just one apheresis. At least I know I was.
My .02c
Guys-
I just got back from my local Red Cross. They said I COULD NOT donate platelets or do anything for 56 days post whole blood donation. Also, my Hb was 19+ so they said I did not qualify to get hooked up to the machine cuz of high Hb! Any thoughts or help on how to get this lowered BESIDES self phleb or Dr ordered phleb?
Mprtz
New member
Check to see if there are any other blood banks in your area, mine will allow platelets one week after whole blood. Get a six pack of zero calorie sports drink and try to get super well hydrated starting about 48hrs before showing up, maybe you can squeak under the limit. That's all I can think of...
corvettels3
Jackie Moon
Let me guess, you went in the morning? Hemoglobin and crit are a little higher in the mornings. I would go back in the afternoon. In the meantime start pounding that water and make sure your multivitamin does not contain iron. Good luck..
corvettels3
Jackie Moon
Bro if your globin is 19 this means your crit is roughly 57. You need to get this down asap.
Gbrad
Member
Appreciate it. Yes I realize 19 translates to a very high hct. Ill see if I can find another bank and do apheresis. Otherwise, Ill contact my trt Dr and see what he recommends.
corvettels3
Jackie Moon
Don't forget to call your local hospitals. If you can only find one bank and being your numbers are very high I would ask for a double red cell donation. This will drop you down 5-6% on your hematocrit. Like you my crit was at 56.5 and globin 19.1 last week. I made two donations this week. One on Monday and Friday. When I went for my second donation Friday they tested my levels before the draw and it came down to 17.5. Which translate to 52.5. I should be in the 48-49 range now. If you are unable to donate ask your doctor for polycythemia therapy. Good luck.
Gbrad
Member
Did u do 2 double rbc donations? How were u able to do that? Go to different banks? I guess the Red Cross doesn't share donor records with other banks?
corvettels3
Jackie Moon
No double for me. Just whole blood. I went to two different locations. One was a blood and tissue place and the other was a hospital. I luck out because after I made my first donation at the blood bank I received a call from a local hospital. The were informing me of a blood drive that Friday. good luck brother..
corvettels3
Jackie Moon
Sounds like a classic panic attack. Don't sweat it, you'll get used to it.
Alpin
New member
Funny thing was I was able to walk out in 5 minutes. I recovered in 1 minute. Got up off the chair and no feeling of lightheadedness. The fan she put on me helped a lot....
Megatron28
Moderator
Has anyone gone to one of those places that buys plasma? You usually see them around college campuses? Would they be more liberal in who they accept? That should lower RBCs too, right?
corvettels3
Jackie Moon
No, they separate your plasma and return your RBC. That is why you are able to donate plasma a few times a week. Your body replenishes your plasma in a few days. RBC take about 4-8 weeks.