Finger stick hemoglobin test not accurate?

[ilomia]

As many of you know, when a person goes to donate blood, they do a finger stick to test hemoglobin levels. I encountered a situation today that made me realize they are not accurate, and most of the time will give a higher reading. I had labs done at lab Corp two days before visting the blood donation center, my reading from lab Corp was 18.3, my reading at the donation center is 21.3, either the donation center or lab Corp was wrong. My online research led me to discover that finger sticks read high. I am still a lip bit on the edge, since they said my hemoglobin is 21.3, but I am kinda going by what lab Corp gave me 18.3. I was told at the donation center to see a doc right away, consider going to the ER, your level is really dangerous. What do you guys think I should do? The donation center did not accept my donation since I am over 20. Lab Corp reading isn't really that high 18.3.

 

[ERO]

Maybe try another donation location if you have access to one. Otherwise your doc should write you a script for it.

 

[ilomia]

Yea. Going to try tomorrow. My hematocrit is 54.5 through lab Corp, which concerns me.

 

[CoastWatcher]

Has your doctor discussed therapeutic phlebotomy?

 

[ilomia]

Honestly I haven't been to the doctor in a while, can't find one that knows anything, money is also an issue.

 

[ilomia]

I don't understand why it's high. I only take 100mg per week of testosterone, sometimes only 50mg per week. How about those bodybuilders that take 500-1000mg per week and have no issues. Also I have found resources online that state hemoglobin up to18 and hematocrit up to 54 is normal. So I am only .5 over.

 

[ilomia]

If people that have normal blood viscocity have strokes, then maybe there are other factors, not necessarily the viscosity of the blood unless it's extremely high.

 

[ilomia]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK259/

 

[Vince]

You can take an aspirin and use fish oil, to lower your platelets.

 

[ilomia]

Thank you Vince

 

[gallan]

After frequent donations and doing labs before and after the donations for years it seems to me that the finger stick is always higher than the proper labs.

 

[Vince]

After frequent donations and doing labs before and after the donations for years it seems to me that the finger stick is always higher than the proper labs.

I agree, the blood center finger stick has always been higher for me too.