Scarring from Donating Blood

[Megatron28]

I can tell that I am getting scar tissue in my arms from donating blood. Plebotomists have commented on it too. Those gigantic needles (18g) that they use definitely "leave a mark". And they love to keep using the same vein.

I have talked to them about it and they say that some people get to the point where they are too scarred to be able to donate blood anymore. They can only take blood from three veins in your arms so their options are limited.

I am worried that if I try to keep going every 56 days that I may get to the point someday where I have too much scar tissue. Have any of you that have been on TRT for a long time, or know guys who have been, had problems with scar tissue and donating blood? I am thinking about trying to donate less frequently as I hope to be on TRT for another 30-40 years.

 

[LittleJohnny]

I have scarring on both arms. Like you, I always seem to get blood drawn from the same vein. I haven't run into the problem of too much scarring yet, but I have similar worries about it. I always keep track of which arm was used so I don't use it twice in a row. I'm certain I've given blood through 2 veins in each arm, but adding that 3rd vein might help. I remember a phlebotomist mentioning that one of the veins was more "flimsy" than the others. The only thing I can think of is getting so lean that all 3 of the "good veins" are easily used and make them switch up.

 

[Chiefy]

Did they give you a reason as to why they can't draw blood from anywhere besides your AC? If the veins in your hand aren't super small I don't see a problem using that site. It stings more than getting stuck in your AC, but it's not terrible.

 

[Megatron28]

Did they give you a reason as to why they can't draw blood from anywhere besides your AC? If the veins in your hand aren't super small I don't see a problem using that site. It stings more than getting stuck in your AC, but it's not terrible.

They are not allowed too for blood donations. If you had a prescription for a therapeutic phelbotomy, that would probably be different.

 

[Chiefy]

They are not allowed too for blood donations. If you had a prescription for a therapeutic phelbotomy, that would probably be different.

I was under the impression that they can draw from the hand, they just typically don't like to because most people have smaller veins there which makes it harder to get a reasonably sized catheter in.

If the veins in your hand are of adequate size they should be able to get enough volume.

Maybe some places just have a policy against it or something.

 

[Alpin]

Of course this is a issue Mega. I made a thread on this same subject a long time ago.
Hence why I tried to avoid TRT.
Ofcourse you are going to get scar tissue. That huge needle is using the same vein every 112 days....lower your T dose to 700 TT and monitor HCT and go every 4 months.
Nothing else you can do.
Every 56 days you are probably over donating as well.

 

[Megatron28]

I was under the impression that they can draw from the hand, they just typically don't like to because most people have smaller veins there which makes it harder to get a reasonably sized catheter in.

If the veins in your hand are of adequate size they should be able to get enough volume.

Maybe some places just have a policy against it or something.

Red Cross and Memorial Blood Center where I live are not allowed to.

 

[STAUNCHED427]

Can't comment on the scaring, luckily my HCT doesn't rise too fast even on other AAS... Rises very slowly for me when just on 200mg Test.

What is your TRT dose? Like Apollon mentioned, possibly lowering it?

Does your HCT rise to 50% in only 56 days? If not, no point getting it drawn so often...

 

[Alpin]

Can't comment on the scaring, luckily my HCT doesn't rise too fast even on other AAS... Rises very slowly for me when just oxn 200mg Test.

What is your TRT dose? Like Apollon mentioned, possibly lowering it?

Does your HCT rise to 50% in only 56 days? If not, no point getting it drawn so often...

Good point. That thing a majigee they use at the donation centre to measure blood HEMO I totally question.
Tell you why...
On blood labs a week before blood donation I had HCT of 46% and Hemo 15.
Ten days later go to do a blood donation and nurse at centre says HCT is 50% with Hemo 17.3.
I was very well hydrated both tests....
Make your conclussions....
I pinned my T day of blood donation. 60 mg

 

[STAUNCHED427]

Good point. That thing a majigee they use at the donation centre to measure blood HEMO I totally question.
Tell you why...
On blood labs a week before blood donation I had HCT of 46% and Hemo 15.
Ten days later go to do a blood donation and nurse at centre says HCT is 50% with Hemo 17.3.
I was very well hydrated both tests....
Make your conclussions....
I pinned my T day of blood donation. 60 mg

When I get my venesection they actually draw out a vial of blood and test is there at the lab to get a result. Or they go via bloodwork...

 

[Mprtz]

I worry about this a bit too, but at my blood center there is a plaque with the names of frequent donors, some of which have given blood up to 400 times over many decades, so it can't be a universal problem. I wonder if there are any procedures (ultrasound, etc.) that help break up scar tissue?

 

[Mprtz]

Another thing to consider if you're looking long term (and 30 to 40 years certainly is) is that there are bound to be changes in how TRT is done in that long of a time frame. Maybe something will come along (hepcidin injections?) that will allow keeping hct stable without blood donation.

Looking out 30 to 40 years I think it's very likely that the need for blood donations could diminish as synthetic blood substitutes become a viable alternative.

 

[Megatron28]

I think I will just try to lower my donation frequency. Unless I am running a blast, my hematocrit is usually not too bad when I have been going in for donations. I should be ok waiting longer between donations. I would rather keep my TRT protocol where it is for now. I am taking 80mg twice a week.

 

[bigben66]

Why do you think your HCT rises so quickly Megatron?

Is it because your TRT injections are so frequent?

I'm on Nebido (Test Undecanoate) and I inject once every 4 weeks - would fewer injections and a steadier state Test level mean that HCT doesn't rise as quick as it does on your current protocol?

Just a thought...

Another thing to consider if you're looking long term (and 30 to 40 years certainly is) is that there are bound to be changes in how TRT is done in that long of a time frame. Maybe something will come along (hepcidin injections?) that will allow keeping hct stable without blood donation.

Looking out 30 to 40 years I think it's very likely that the need for blood donations could diminish as synthetic blood substitutes become a viable alternative.

 

[Megatron28]

I don't think my hematocrit rises faster than anyone else's on exogenous testosterone. I imagine I am perfectly average in this respect.

 

[cybrsage]

I'm on Nebido (Test Undecanoate) and I inject once every 4 weeks - would fewer injections and a steadier state Test level mean that HCT doesn't rise as quick as it does on your current protocol?

Just a thought...

Wow, I just looked up Aveed (a brand of Test Undecanoate available in the US) and that stuff is EXPENSIVE! Without insurance it can cost $852 or more for 1 vial (3ml) of Aveed 750mg/3ml, which is a single dose! This is compared to $45 for 1 vial (10ml) of testosterone cypionate 200mg/ml (generic), which is many doses. No wonder so few people use it.

When we finally have a generic version in the US, the price should drop like a rock.

 

[bigben66]

My Nebido comes in a 1000mg/4ml vial - my doc said it actually worked out cheaper over the year than the Sustanon did... that's why UK doc's are phasing out Sustanon for Nebido... Lots less peaks and troughs too!

Sorry for going off topic Megatron, but I was just curious as to whether less frequent injections would stabilise HCT build-up?

Looks like you've got it all in hand though bro

 

[Alpin]

I don't think my hematocrit rises faster than anyone else's on exogenous testosterone. I imagine I am perfectly average in this respect.

80 mg twice a week would put me at 1400 maybe even closer to 1500 ng/dl..you could lower your dose to 70 mg twice a week and include some HCG.
might make all the difference in the world.
i would def be running HCG anyway....
There might be a need to stop TRT someday. Circumstances can arise beyond ones control or wishes.
the boys need stimulation too. Factory should never close.
thats my 2 cents

 

[Megatron28]

80 mg twice a week would put me at 1400 maybe even closer to 1500 ng/dl..you could lower your dose to 70 mg twice a week and include some HCG.
might make all the difference in the world.
i would def be running HCG anyway....
There might be a need to stop TRT someday. Circumstances can arise beyond ones control or wishes.
the boys need stimulation too. Factory should never close.
thats my 2 cents

That dose puts me around 900. Everyone is different.

I started using hCG a few weeks ago. I am trying 250mg/week. I am curious to see how it goes.

 

[Megatron28]

My Nebido comes in a 1000mg/4ml vial - my doc said it actually worked out cheaper over the year than the Sustanon did... that's why UK doc's are phasing out Sustanon for Nebido... Lots less peaks and troughs too!

Sorry for going off topic Megatron, but I was just curious as to whether less frequent injections would stabilise HCT build-up?

Looks like you've got it all in hand though bro

I don't know if it would make a difference. My guess is that it would not be a big difference if you took the same dose over X number of days. Just a guess though.