Thinking about giving blood sooner than the required 8 weeks
Background, I live at high altitude and it is very common for folks up here to have high hemoglobin and hematocrit. I get to see my hemoglobin number every 8 weeks when I donate, and get blood work fairly often as well.
My hemoglobin right after giving blood will be around the mid 16s, 8 weeks later I'm approaching 18.
I'm thinking about throwing in a 4 week interval once or twice a year to drop these numbers even lower than 16.
I've never had any ferritin or iron numbers come up low.
I weigh 200 pounds and I'm on the same 8 week schedule as a 120 pound female. I really don't see any potential harm in hitting a different blood bank at a 4 week interval and dropping my red blood cell count even lower.
Anyone ever done this, or have any comments on it? Mega...? you reading this?
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In the U.S. and Canada you have to wait 8wks to give whole blood. There is a reason for this. Blood plasma is replaced 2-3 days after we donated. Red blood cells are replaced by bone marrow at a slower rate, on average 36 days in healthy adult males. In one study, the range was 20 to 59 days for recovery. These replacement rates are the basis of how frequently a donor can donate blood.(Hence the 8wks=56days)
Now for you notice it said for "HEALTH MALES the average is 36days" if you read the study it is 36days +-11days. So I would say in your case yes but monitor your ferritin, iron level. It takes eight weeks to restore the iron lost after donating.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1537-2995.2008.01719.x/abst...
http://www.bloodcenters.org/docs/bloodfacts.pdf
opticxLast time I tried to donate blood they freaked out because I was over, they said they couldnt take my blood I had to go to the doctor because it was so high.. then I go to the doctor and they look at you funny when you ask for a Phlebotomy. AMMERICUH HEALTH YAY..
Wow, I've never been so high as to reach the cut off level. I hope you donate on a regular basis now.
opticxI personally love my maple syrup blood lol
Probably not a big concern but I'm no expert, I just give blood every 8 weeks when on cycle. I thought normal hemoglobin level was 14 to 18, but the last time I gave blood I asked her at what level do the start to get concerned on hemoglobin and she said 21.
Thanks for the feedback guys, its much appreciated.
When I was juicing heavily I let out blood to stay under 14 for hemoglobin and under 50 for hematocrit. I let out as much blood as frequently as needed to achieve this.
I lived in Denver for a number of years and my RBC, hemoglobin and hematocrit were always a bit high and what you are talking about is just outside the normal range so I really can't follow what your concern here is.
This is a valid point, 14-18 is in range. In my case, three weeks to four weeks later I was out of range.
I typically have hematocrit between 56% and 59%, and RBC's coming out high as well.
https://www.eroids.com/sites/default/files/gearpic/48134/bloodsmarch2015...
this was a week after giving blood on cycle.
I think every 8 weeks is fine for off cycle, but I'm tempted to give a little extra on cycle.
I sure feel great a few days after donating.
That is near critical hematocrit levels. It's good to read you're taking it seriously. It is greatly overlooked in the steroid community. Battling hemoglobin and hematocrit levels played a large roll in me deciding to keep my testosterone levels below 1,000. I have been to several funerals the last two years, due to heart attacks - these were guys in their thirties.
I've been reading up on it, and have talked with my doc about it. Doc did not seem too concerned, said sure... donate some blood. I asked about aspirin, he says sure... it cant hurt.
I'm closer to 10k above sea level and I think this is a common occurrence up here.
The girls at the blood drive see it all the time, I gave blood last week and we were playing the guessing game . I guessed my hemoglobin was gonna be 17.6, she guessed 18.4 ... she guessed right.
Here's one breakdown from an e-medicine site.
Newborns: 55%-68%
One (1) week of age: 47%-65%
One (1) month of age: 37%-49%
Three (3) months of age: 30%-36%
One (1) year of age: 29%-41%
Ten (10) years of age: 36%-40%
Adult males: 42%-54%
Adult women: 38%-46%
Adult pregnant women: about 30% - 34% lower limits and 46% upper limits
High Altitude residents: about 45% - 61% in males; 41% - 56% in females (These levels gradually average higher as the altitude where people live increases. This is a result of the increased demand for the oxygen-carrying capacity of red blood cells at higher altitudes where there is decreased oxygen concentration in the atmosphere.)
I'm not sure if high RBC's from living at high altitude are any less of a health hazard than having them high at low altitude.
As far as concerns from giving too much blood... I have plenty of RBC's and ferritin and iron are fine.
I bet I'd feel fine giving another pint in 4 weeks..... every once in a while.
The last time I gave blood I sat next to this tiny little gal who got all dizzy after donating. I thought WTF, I have way more blood to spare than that little gal. They should give me a 700ml bag to fill instead of the same 500ml that the little lady filled up.
I am at sea level so I'm not too versed in the high altitude numbers. My doctor stated he would pump and dump my blood once I hit 60, as that is critical (for sea level).
I do not advise this, but my area blood clinics all communicate with one another, so eight weeks is the time you wait. I started to let me blood out down the sink. I then upgrade to a Pyrex measuring cup. Then I pulled the plug on my steroid use. Shit was just getting too wild to be all sexy.
I do have a hospital nearby that has it's own donor program, I'm sure I can donate w/o any communication between them and the mobile blood bank.
Here's another interesting read on the subject.
http://www.consultantlive.com/copd/what-include-workup-elevated-hemoglob...
here's my bloods before ever touching the gear.
https://www.eroids.com/sites/default/files/gearpic/48134/bloodsjpg1.png
I'd recommend donating more frequently for sure.