Effects on RBC/Hematocrit and blood donation

[Vince Carter]

This is a progression I tracked and wanted to share with you all, it seems a fair question to how much a donation (or phlebotomy) of 1 pint can affect RBC and Hematocrit levels. All donations and blood tests were between 0730 and 0830 on the days indicated.
31 Aug 15
RBC 6.24
Hema 55.9

5 Sep
Donate 1 Pint

30 Oct
RBC 5.9
Hema 53

7 Nov
Donate 1 Pint

9 Jan
Donate 1 Pint

1 Feb (results pending)
RBC
Hema

The only notable thing in that time period, was the last donation my BP was down to 136 vs 144 from previous donation. I was taking the NO stack and 1mg Doxazosin on 9 Jan. Previously I went to donate without any meds on board including TCyp, only regular food.

My Therapy protocol (I have low SHBG)
50mg TCyp EOD (last trough TT 903, F/T 296 (range 35-155))
500iu HCG 2XW
no Anastrozole
50mg DHEA/50mg Preg TD cream every AM

 

[DLK]

Vince, my I had a change in hematocrit from 53 to 52 after my first phlebotomy, the next test 6 weeks later I had no phlebotomy since redcross will only draw every 56 days, however I did start drinking at least a gallon of water a day and my last test it was 48! A fluke? I don't know but I was excited about it.

 

[Vince Carter]

UPDATED: 1 Feb test results

This is a progression I tracked and wanted to share with you all, it seems a fair question to how much a donation (or phlebotomy) of 1 pint can affect RBC and Hematocrit levels. All donations and blood tests were between 0730 and 0830 on the days indicated.
31 Aug 15
RBC 6.24
Hema 55.9

5 Sep
Donate 1 Pint

30 Oct
RBC 5.9
Hema 53

7 Nov
Donate 1 Pint

9 Jan
Donate 1 Pint

1 Feb
RBC 5.85(high) 4.20-5.80
Hema 47.6
Hemo 14.9

The only notable thing in that time period, was the last donation my BP was down to 136 vs 144 from previous donation. I was taking the NO stack and 1mg Doxazosin on 9 Jan. Previously I went to donate without any meds on board including TCyp, only regular food.

My Therapy protocol (I have low SHBG)
50mg TCyp EOD (last trough TT 903, F/T 296 (range 35-155))
500iu HCG 2XW
no Anastrozole
50mg DHEA/50mg Preg TD cream every AM

 

[Vince Carter]

Updates below

This is a progression I tracked and wanted to share with you all, it seems a fair question to how much a donation (or phlebotomy) of 1 pint can affect RBC and Hematocrit levels. All donations and blood tests were between 0730 and 0830 on the days indicated.
31 Aug 15
RBC 6.24
Hema 55.9

5 Sep
Donate 1 Pint

30 Oct
RBC 5.9
Hema 53

7 Nov
Donate 1 Pint

9 Jan
Donate 1 Pint

1 Feb
RBC 5.85
HCT 47.6

14 Mar 16
RBC 6.16
HCT 49.4

5 May 16
RBC 6.16
HCT 49.2



The only notable thing in that time period, was the last donation my BP was down to 136 vs 144 from previous donation. I was taking the NO stack and 1mg Doxazosin on 9 Jan. Previously I went to donate without any meds on board including TCyp, only regular food.

My Therapy protocol (I have low SHBG)
50mg TCyp EOD (last trough TT 903, F/T 296 (range 35-155))
500iu HCG 2XW
no Anastrozole
50mg DHEA/50mg Preg TD cream every AM

 

[Vince Carter]

The major player in keeping my HCT, it appears, is getting my Estradiol down. I had been in the 50s and 60s ultrasensitive but having switched to oral DHEA/Preg supplementation, and reverting back to .15mg Anastrozole 2XW, my HCT has stayed down since my last donation in Jan (~5 months).

 

[Nelson Vergel]

Estradiol's Role on Hematocrit? "Study"

Read more at: https://www.excelmale.com/forum/showthread.php?6947-Estradiol-s-Role-on-Hematocrit-Study

 

[Vince Carter]

Updates below

This is a progression I tracked and wanted to share with you all, it seems a fair question to how much a donation (or phlebotomy) of 1 pint can affect RBC and Hematocrit levels. All donations and blood tests were between 0730 and 0830 on the days indicated.
31 Aug 15
RBC 6.24
Hema 55.9

5 Sep
Donate 1 Pint

30 Oct
RBC 5.9
Hema 53

7 Nov
Donate 1 Pint

9 Jan
Donate 1 Pint

1 Feb
RBC 5.85
HCT 47.6

14 Mar 16
RBC 6.16
HCT 49.4

5 May 16
RBC 6.16
HCT 49.2

18 Jul 16
HCT 53.8
HBG 17.1

5 Aug 2016
Donated 1 Pint

12 Aug 2016
HCT = 49.1
HBG = 15.6
RBC = 5.9



The only notable thing in that time period, was the last donation my BP was down to 136 vs 144 from previous donation. I was taking the NO stack and 1mg Doxazosin on 9 Jan. Previously I went to donate without any meds on board including TCyp, only regular food.

My Therapy protocol (I have low SHBG)
50mg TCyp EOD (last trough TT 903, F/T 296 (range 35-155))

 

[Jackie Treehorn]

The importance of maintaining good hydration cannot be overemphasized. Showing up for a blood test dehydrated will jack up your HCT for sure.

While most of us fast before a lab draw, we can't forget to keep up the water intake.

 

[Vince Carter]

Updates below

This is a progression I tracked and wanted to share with you all, it seems a fair question to how much a donation (or phlebotomy) of 1 pint can affect RBC and Hematocrit levels. All donations and blood tests were between 0730 and 0830 on the days indicated.
31 Aug 15
RBC 6.24
Hema 55.9

5 Sep
Donate 1 Pint

30 Oct
RBC 5.9
Hema 53

7 Nov
Donate 1 Pint

9 Jan
Donate 1 Pint

1 Feb
RBC 5.85
HCT 47.6

14 Mar 16
RBC 6.16
HCT 49.4

5 May 16
RBC 6.16
HCT 49.2

18 Jul 16
HCT 53.8
HBG 17.1

5 Aug 2016
Donated 1 Pint

12 Aug 2016
HCT = 49.1
HBG = 15.6
RBC = 5.9


8 Sep 2016
HCT = 52.8
HGB = 17
RBC = 6.24

Stopped daily iron supplementation

7 Oct 2016
Donate 1 pint

10 Oct 2016
Blood Tests 8 vials of blood


My Therapy protocol (I have low SHBG)
Cyp daily @ 24mg, 200iu HCG E3.5D

10 Oct 2016
HCT = 50.0
HGB = 16.4
RBC = 5.76

 

[Nelson Vergel]

Hi Vince Carter
Thank you so much for being the first one on ExcelMale to provide a detailed report on the effect of blood donation on hematocrit.

How do you feel after those frequent donations? Any fatigue? Have you checked your iron and ferritin?

 

[Vince Carter]

My Ferritin is very low, it stayed very low (teens) while supplementing 62mg elemental iron daily for 90 days. I removed the iron having felt no omprovement with its use and that it could be playing in to my HCT/HGB. Plus i cook daily on cast iron. The last finger stick on 7 Oct read HGB @ 18.8 so my HCT was approaching 56 (which I think its a bit a stretch). I was super hydrated at that donation.

I feel better, I absolutely do, Im learning a physical sense of needing to donate like thinking I may get a little winded or feeling sluggish when HCT is >52

 

[Vince Carter]

updates post 9

 

[Nelson Vergel]

My Ferritin is very low, it stayed very low (teens) while supplementing 62mg elemental iron daily for 90 days. I removed the iron having felt no omprovement with its use and that it could be playing in to my HCT/HGB. Plus i cook daily on cast iron. The last finger stick on 7 Oct read HGB @ 18.8 so my HCT was approaching 56 (which I think its a bit a stretch). I was super hydrated at that donation.

I feel better, I absolutely do, Im learning a physical sense of needing to donate like thinking I may get a little winded or feeling sluggish when HCT is >52

Let's see if your hematocrit stabilizes after 18 months. When did you start TRT?

 

[Vince Carter]

I thought I was showing some stability, until I started the iron supplementation, a couple of CBCs where those markers were stable before I started on Iron. Ive been on injectables 28 months and then Androgel 4 months before that.

 

[timk]

I thought I was showing some stability, until I started the iron supplementation, a couple of CBCs where those markers were stable before I started on Iron. Ive been on injectables 28 months and then Androgel 4 months before that.

Any update on this?

 

[Vince Carter]

With that iron supplementation, my Ferritin was in the very low teens, I went to donate and HGB was 19.3 or roughly HCT @ 57. I was afraid the iron was going to aggravate HGB/HCT and it did, apparently. I could feel that I needed to donate a pint about two weeks prior, start feeling a little sluggish and winded. I added 2-3g of fish oil and 81mg aspirin to help.
I haven't had a CBC lately to report on.

 

[timk]

That seems a bit high. Since adding the fish oil and aspirin have you felt better? Also, I am curious what your blood pressure is.

The reason I ask is because my levels are high too.

 

[Vince Carter]

I've developed some white coat/Dr anxiety and it shows up in my BP, and pulse, when I go in but I run 135/70 but my pulse is in the 90's. I normally tell them to retake it on the way out, sometimes that helps but some times it doesn't.

 

[CoastWatcher]

I've developed some white coat/Dr anxiety and it shows up in my BP, and pulse, when I go in but I run 135/70 but my pulse is in the 90's. I normally tell them to retake it on the way out, sometimes that helps but some times it doesn't.

Same situation for me - my doctor (a woman I like and respect) now raises my bp if she measures it. Anyone else and things are fine.