Ferritin

[snakedoctor]

I donate blood 3-4 times per year, before a donation hemoglobin will be around 16.5-17, Hematocrit around 48, after Donation they will drop to 15.5-16 and 46 but shoot right back up after next dosage of T, Ferritin will drop to 10-30ng/ml. I always feel like crap, attribute it to low Ferritin, as a kid I had low iron and had to take iron supplements. If I take iron supplements now won’t that also raise Hemoglobin and Hematocrit ?? My T dosage is 80mg per week IM.

 

[Gman86]

I donate blood 3-4 times per year, before a donation hemoglobin will be around 16.5-17, Hematocrit around 48, after Donation they will drop to 15.5-16 and 46 but shoot right back up after next dosage of T, Ferritin will drop to 10-30ng/ml. I always feel like crap, attribute it to low Ferritin, as a kid I had low iron and had to take iron supplements. If I take iron supplements now won’t that also raise Hemoglobin and Hematocrit ?? My T dosage is 80mg per week IM.

Yes, taking an iron supplement should theoretically increase HGB and HCT. Why do you donate so often when your HCT only reaches 48? You could easily just not donate, let your ferritin come up, and have no issues. I personally only try to actively lower HCT when it reaches 54 or above. People that live at higher altitude regularly walk around with a HCT of 54+, without any risk to their health.

 

[MarcoFL]

I donate blood 3-4 times per year, before a donation hemoglobin will be around 16.5-17, Hematocrit around 48, after Donation they will drop to 15.5-16 and 46 but shoot right back up after next dosage of T, Ferritin will drop to 10-30ng/ml. I always feel like crap, attribute it to low Ferritin, as a kid I had low iron and had to take iron supplements. If I take iron supplements now won’t that also raise Hemoglobin and Hematocrit ?? My T dosage is 80mg per week IM.

IMO this makes zero sense to donate unless your doctor tells you too. If you feel like crap why do you keep doing??? I did two times never again!!!! took me a year to correct it plus my doctor put me in time out for doing it in first place.

 

[snakedoctor]

Thanks for replying ! I honestly like to donate to help others & im fanatical about the risks of blood clots, etc.....Great advice, thanks again

 

[snakedoctor]

My doc suggests once year Donation, aside from dropping iron I feel it’s healthy.....may have to quit though, just get concerned about blood clots, all the naysayers of TRT always mention the clot risks.

 

[DxHypo]

My doc suggests once year Donation, aside from dropping iron I feel it’s healthy.....may have to quit though, just get concerned about blood clots, all the naysayers of TRT always mention the clot risks.

You can look at your platelet counts on CBC labs for an indication of clotting potential. Platelets are a key factor in clotting. Due to the phlebotomies for high hct and hgb, my platelets run on the low side of normal.

 

[Gman86]

You can look at your platelet counts on CBC labs for an indication of clotting potential. Platelets are a key factor in clotting. Due to the phlebotomies for high hct and hgb, my platelets run on the low side of normal.

Are your sure that it was the donation that lowered your platelets? I’ve been getting blood work done for about 5 years now, and at least 4-5 times per year, and my platelets have been consistently on the low side of normal. Every test they’ve been within 20 points of each other. After donating blood for the first time recently, I got another CBC done, and my platelets were in the exact range that they are always in, no less than usual. So the donation, at least for me, didn’t lower my platelet count at all. It did obviously lower my HCT, HGB and RBC count.

 

[Gman86]

My doc suggests once year Donation, aside from dropping iron I feel it’s healthy.....may have to quit though, just get concerned about blood clots, all the naysayers of TRT always mention the clot risks.

This is due to misinformation in the media, unfortunately. But platelet count is what you need to be concerned with. A little higher level of RBC’s, HCT, and HGB will not increase your risk for heart attack, stroke, aneurysm, DVT, etc. If you’re ever worried, just get a BP machine, and take your BP every morning at the same time. Make sure to get a baseline when your HCT and HGB are within range. Then if you ever notice that your BP is going above baseline, and your HCT and HGB are on the high side, you can donate and see if that helps. But I would avoid donating for a bit, and just make sure your HCT stays below 55, and your BP stays around a healthy range. I personally take my BP every single morning. It’s a very simple, yet still underrated way to monitor your cardiovascular system. A lot of things can be caught early, and prevented, just by taking your BP on a regular basis.

 

[SkyWarn]

IMO this makes zero sense to donate unless your doctor tells you too. If you feel like crap why do you keep doing??? I did two times never again!!!! took me a year to correct it plus my doctor put me in time out for doing it in first place.

Mark what is your HCT since you stopped donating?

 

[MarcoFL]

between 48-52. I just upped my T dose so will be checking after 6 weeks. I think way more strength when it is 50 plus for me. I do not worry as long as under 53.