Should I donate blood with these lab results?

[miked123]

Started TRT about 8 weeks ago and wondering if I should give blood based on the high hemoglobin result below? I will be lowering my Test and HCG doses slightly, while adding a low dose of Arimidex. Despite the lowered doses, I am concerned that if I don't give blood soon the hemoglobin could continue to rise and eventually disqualify me from donating. Pre TRT, my Hemoglobin was 15.7.


Began TRT 11/25/16:


140mg of Testosterone Cypionate per week (dosed daily)
1050iu of HCG per week (dosed daily)


Protocol change:


105mg of Test Cyp per week (dosed daily)
525iu of HCG per week (dosed daily)
1mg of Arimidex per week (dosed daily)


Blood drawn 1/12/17 (fasted and drank 32 ounces of water before test):

Hemoglobin	17	12.6-17.7 g/dL
Hematocrit	48.7	37.5-51.0 %
Testosterone, Total	1170	348.0-1197.0 ng/dL
Free Testosterone	40.3	6.8-21.5 pg/mL
Estradiol, Sensitive	61.6	8.0-35.0 pg/mL

 

[johndoesmith]

Not yet.

You can wait a bit maybe 6 weeks and retest. Although blood is always needed.

 

[Vince]

I would donate blood before Hematocrit get too high. Also, the Red Cross and other organizations will reject donors with high hematocrit over 52.

 

[miked123]

Do the Red Cross and others typically test both hematocrit and hemoglobin before donation or just hematocrit?

 

[maxadvance]

This is just not true. Number one they don't test your hematocrit prior to test. They do test your hemoglobin which one could loosely translate to a hematocrit number, but they actually prefer and welcome high hemoglobin counts. Each of my past 4 donations my hemo was between 18.3 and 19.6. My hematocrit numbers were between 53 and 56. A corresponding RBC count is in the 6's.

The only thing that will have them to tell you to walk away is high blood pressure or failing a question on the questionaire.

 

[maxadvance]

Do the Red Cross and others typically test both hematocrit and hemoglobin before donation or just hematocrit?

hemoglobin
only

 

[maxadvance]

for profit blood centers usually do RBC only

 

[miked123]

This is just not true. Number one they don't test your hematocrit prior to test. They do test your hemoglobin which one could loosely translate to a hematocrit number, but they actually prefer and welcome high hemoglobin counts. Each of my past 4 donations my hemo was between 18.3 and 19.6. My hematocrit numbers were between 53 and 56. A corresponding RBC count is in the 6's.

The only thing that will have them to tell you to walk away is high blood pressure or failing a question on the questionaire.

Thanks for the intel. Looking at the Red Cross website, they only mention deferrals for low hemoglobin, so I should be OK.

Curious how often you give blood with numbers like that? Do you get therapeutic phlebotomies or take supplements to get your blood in range?

 

[maxadvance]

Yes, a 3rd cause of them refusing to allow donation, low hemoglobin. A possible sign of iron deficiency, too frequent donation, or possibly even more serious abnormalities.

I personally donate every 2 months for obvious reasons, I'm hoping my counts will eventually normalize.

 

[Vince]

I am presently banned from donating blood at the blood Center of Wisconsin, because of low platelets. I need my doctor to OK my blood donations before they will accept more.

 

[Gamnc]

I give blood to the Red Cross every three months. Doubles will drop you a point or two if you are too high. The Red Cross in my area will not take blood if hemoglobin over 19. Most times mine is 17 so not a problem. It takes about 30 minutes, and doesn't hurt plus it helps someone else.

 

[Gamnc]

My Red Cross just test Hemoglobin.