Donating Blood on TRT?
Hi - do people really need to donate blood on TRT?
I have never done any AAS, but I am on TRT because of low testosterone. I'm only one week on TRT. I have had a history of slightly elevated Hematocrit/RBC. (never getting higher than hematocrit 53%) It fluctuates though. In the past few lab pulls I've had over the course of a year or two, I've had it be as high as 53% when I was on enclomiphene for low T, and my total Test was 880. Then I've had it be as low as 48%. So I'm really hoping that while on TRT I can keep my total T within range so I don't have to donate blood. I know that hydration is a big factor too.
I just want to be as healthy as possible. While on TRT of course lol. Any tips from older guys who have more experience?
edit: also worth noting my TRT dose is 120mg/week split up into 3 doses of 40mg. I know this ain't shit to what some of the ppl here take but i just wanna be safe with it
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Hi, I had a hormonal replacement clinic for about q2 years and I would say about 20% of my patients doing TRT had to give blood on a regular basis, but we also were one of the clinics that wasn't scared to dose our patients up to 3oomgs a week if necessary but I would say the majority had a dose that was around 175 to 225mg a week. So that gives u a rough idea of how common it is to have to Let blood while on TRT. and u r absolutely right, hydration has alot to do with your hematocrit levels. And remember 53 is technically high, don't get me wrong...I personally keep my levels at about 53...it provides more oxygenated blood leading to better energy levels and ultimately better workouts, but here's the problem...the normal Joe Bag of doughnuts is doing TRT and raises his hematocrit to 53 and he is enjoying his new found energy levels so he decides to take his boat out on a Texas lake on a 105 degree day and show off his new abs he's been working on... he meets some girls at the lake and starts drinking some beer with them with a cpl of shots thrown in the mix the whole time sweating like a pregnant nun at Sunday mass. Do u see how serious this got for him? There is a real good chance of a stroke here bcuz of the thickened blood. With the loss of water thru sweat and the dehydration from the alcohol he can easily tac on another 4 or 5 points bringing his hematocrit up to 68 or so just in a few hours and that is a dangerous number. My point is that if u plan on keeping your number at around 52 or 53 then make absolutely sure u r constantly aware of your hydration.... but unfortunately u may be forced to keep it lower just bcuz of legalities. As soon as u cross over the 50 line u become a liability to whatever clinic u r using and to cover them from a legal standpoint most clinics will require u to keep it under 50. And to give u a rough idea your hematocrit will drop roughly 2 points every time u give blood providing your hydration stays consistant...in other words, if your hematocrit comes in at 55 or 56 u may have to give twice to get it down to an acceptable number. Hopefully that sheds some light on your hematocrit issue.
I sincerely appreciate this response, you opened my eyes to something I never thought of. Because I do enjoy drinking with friends and being out at the beach. And I do not want a stroke ever.
That said, I think I will plan to keep my TRT dose LOW. When I got that test done and had a 53.9 Hematocrit level, I was on 150mg. I have since dropped to 90mg. I also will start doing more cardio.
I know this is for the long haul, was just having some fun with the dosages since I first got on and wanted to experiment a bit.
BarrettI give a pint every couple weeks until it goes down and then every month. It's better than the alternative.
Mine actually got so high that for a number of years I was ordered to go to the Oncology wing and give a pint a month. This reduced the crit and the RBC which was also high. Risk of clots = bad. I was honest with my doctor about what I was doing (self administered TRT and probably a high dose at that) and they didn't blink. He just said, "alright well if you are going to do that, you should give blood," etc. Worth noting, you can't "DONATE" blood if you admit to you using needle drugs. I don't know if that has changed or if it's specifically relative to each center and how they view the difference between medical IM TRT and other types of needle drugs but when I tried donating (vs. pumping blood into a bag that they throw in the garbage) they asked "do you use needle drugs". Well, yes I do. Steroids. Then you can't donate it to a recipient. According to the lady at the center. So know what your intentions are before asking to donate vs. give to the vampires that live in the trash at your local hospital.
Very informative! When it comes to doctor patient transparency I’ve always had good results with being honest. Too back off what you’re saying and what I’m gathering, it’s actually possible for the doctor to order therapeutic phlebotomy?
Since I’ve donated double blood I have to wait a certain amount of time and right now I can feel I need a drain, my doctor is mad cool with prescribing me test and adex I’m wondering if I should just set up telehealth to get the question out to him.
When I moved from my county bid to my state bid I was given a full panel and I had elevated levels, they scheduled me to see an oncologist, it took like 6 months LOL but he simply said, “he just needs to phlebotomize “
Chuck! Yes, to answer your question. The oncology route is to eliminate the possibility of you having a bone marrow blood cancer (not as bad as it sounds) called polycythemia vera (pretty sure I spelled that correctly) where you over-produce RBC. But regardless of whether you have that or its just TRT+ they are very willing to prescribe phlebotomy in my experience.
You’re good if it’s prescription test. Blood banks won’t do it if your hemoglobin is too high unless you have a prescription for a therapeutic one. They say they have lots of guys on TRT that helps keep the blood supply up.
Interesting! I did not know that. Thanks!
TRT can raise your HCT. My doctor says all is good at 54 and below, but need to dump blood once you go over 54. It’s no big deal. Less than 10 minutes. Just watch your iron and ferritin levels to make sure those stay up. 87 posted a link to a supplement that can help keep it down. I think it was called Hemoflow.
So whats your concern with donating blood? I never did it until I started cycles/TRT and now I do it every 2 months. Really a win/win. Help others and flushes me out. Not to mention I can stock up on free treats afterwards for my kids lunches that week.
Bro that last sentence literally made me laugh out loud. Pictured you just walking off with an entire basket whistling nonchalantly
I swear my pockets are stuffed. I always try to time it when someone is coming in to walk out while the receptionist is distracted. lol.
I’ve never donated blood. Lab draws are quick and don’t bother me but I heard it takes 30 minutes for them to take the blood out. Just seems gross.
But again I am taking low dose and plan to keep test level low.
Also I do cardio and drink water . But I guess there’s only one way to find out if I’ll need to which is wait 3 months and repeat labs
Like I said I never did it either until I started TRT/Cycles. In fact I use to pass out when doctors would do TB tests on me. Not just once but twice passed out lol Its not that bad. Just don't look. Its really no worse than IM injection.
As others said though check your bloodowork regularly. Labs will dictate really. But promise I was a pussy when it came to needles and blood drawing. Its not that bad. Not saying I want to sit there and watch and do it myself but you get my point
If you can do a blood draw you can do blood donation.
True thanks mate.
Again, only one way to find out. At what number does it dictate a blood donation?
I know for a fact that some of my elevated hematocrit was due to dehydration. Also haven’t been a fan of cardio until recently.
But just for my overthinking, generally speaking, with a low dose of TRT, and no other AAS, there’s a good chance I won’t have elevated RBC/hematocrit and no need to donate blood ?
Agreed. I know on TRT levels mine crept up very slowly. Where I would donate maybe 1 time a year. Once on cycle I would do it every 2 months. At the very least before cycle, during cycle, and after cycle. But bloodwork is key to all this.
Depends on blood work.
Taking more frequent doses helps keep me lower and less of a need. Also hydration is key with added electrolytes. Some say natokinase and grape seed extract help.
I don't. I drink a lot of water and do cardio and mine was 47% last bloodwork. As long as you're not over 50 you're not at increased risk for stroke I'm pretty sure.