So I am looking for info on donating platelets to lower hct. I know some guys have luck doing this. My hct tends to rise rather quickly even on 100mg a week. The good news is that it seems to top out around 50. I have had bloodwork done at 4 and 6 weeks post donation and both times it showed a 50 whereas right after donation it was 43. So it drops a lot while donating but climbs back up quick. I had been donating about every six weeks but I don't see that as a long term option because at some point my iron stores will get low. My only concern with platelets is that I tend to have a lowish count of anywhere between 140-170 on my bloodwork. Is there a minimum needed to donate? Also how much does a platelet donation lower hct on average?
Platelet Apheresis for lowering HCT
- Thread starter etma
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Mprtz
New member
If your hct really tops out at 50 and stays there you could just leave it be. What is your testosterone dose?
For me, platelet donation seems to produce a 2-3% drop - comparable to donating a unit of whole blood. A 7% drop is huge, is that data from the same test equipment/process?
I was unable to find out what the minimum platelet count for donation is. It probably depends on where you go - you should call them and ask. I do know that only a small percentage of platelets are removed, so hopefully your 140 to 170 is still sufficient. It might keep you from doing a "double" platelet donation.
For me, platelet donation seems to produce a 2-3% drop - comparable to donating a unit of whole blood. A 7% drop is huge, is that data from the same test equipment/process?
I was unable to find out what the minimum platelet count for donation is. It probably depends on where you go - you should call them and ask. I do know that only a small percentage of platelets are removed, so hopefully your 140 to 170 is still sufficient. It might keep you from doing a "double" platelet donation.
I know 50 is ok but if I can keep it mid to high 40s I would feel better about it. Yeah the 7% drop was all done through the same lab. I had my yearly physical with my gp and my hct was 49.9, I donated a few days after and the following week I went to my new trt doc and she wanted to redo all bloods and hct came back at 43.7 so give or take 1-2% depending on hydration. My hct before trt was 46. I guess I'll give the blood center a call and see about minimum levels of platelets. I know they are remanufactured pretty quickly. This would be good for peace of mind if I can do it.
Mprtz
New member
Ok, why don't you add some info on what this will accomplish? Some basis for the recommendation?
Ingestion of grapefruit lowers elevated hematocrits in human subjects.
Robbins RC, et al. Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 1988.
Show full citation
Abstract
This study was based on in vitro observations that naringin isolated from grapefruit induced red cell aggregation and evidence that clumped red cells are removed from the circulation by phagocytosis. The effect on hematocrits of adding grapefruit to the daily diet was determined using 36 human subjects (12 F, 24 M) over a 42-day study. The hematocrits ranged from 36.5 to 55.8% at the start and 38.8% to 49.2% at the end of the study. There was a differential effect on the hematocrit. The largest decreases occurred at the highest hematocrits and the effect decreased on the intermediate hematocrits; however, the low hematocrits increased. There was no significant difference between ingesting 1/2 or 1 grapefruit per day but a decrease in hematocrit due to ingestion of grapefruit was statistically significant at the p less than 0.01 level.
Robbins RC, et al. Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 1988.
Show full citation
Abstract
This study was based on in vitro observations that naringin isolated from grapefruit induced red cell aggregation and evidence that clumped red cells are removed from the circulation by phagocytosis. The effect on hematocrits of adding grapefruit to the daily diet was determined using 36 human subjects (12 F, 24 M) over a 42-day study. The hematocrits ranged from 36.5 to 55.8% at the start and 38.8% to 49.2% at the end of the study. There was a differential effect on the hematocrit. The largest decreases occurred at the highest hematocrits and the effect decreased on the intermediate hematocrits; however, the low hematocrits increased. There was no significant difference between ingesting 1/2 or 1 grapefruit per day but a decrease in hematocrit due to ingestion of grapefruit was statistically significant at the p less than 0.01 level.
