Blood donation question

[Ambitiouslabrat]

So I’m in the 4th week of my first cycle.

Going small 350mg/week of test C split administration every 3.5 days.

I was going to do blood work on week 6, and donate if needed however I just learned that Red Cross will be at my work tomorrow. Getting paid to donate and delivery to my work have me deciding to just donate power reds tomorrow.

Should I be worried donating this early into the cycle? My concerns being if they elevate towards the end I’ll be in a cool off period from donating until the end of the cycle.

I don’t think this is an issue but wanted to check your opinions, I’ll be going on trt afterwards so I can always check bloodwork again later to see how it effects my CBC as my blood check on week 6 will obviously show lower levels.


Thanks guys

 

[Btcowboy]

Dont overthink it and just donate. 2 weeks not going to make a big difference and you can donate again in 56 days

 

[Deezznutzz]

I donate a double red before a blast and I'm on 200 a week trt also.Then donate again in two or three months. Sign up for two different labs. Then you have more double red options in a bind. That's what I do .

 

[Ambitiouslabrat]

Yeah I don’t know my blood type so they only let me do a standard donation.

BP was a little high so might have to start my AI.

Thanks for input guys

 

[Deezznutzz]

Yeah I don’t know my blood type so they only let me do a standard donation.

BP was a little high so might have to start my AI.

Thanks for input guys

I have noticed I donate Less and my hematocrit stays a lot lower when I'm taking 80 mg of telmisartan.

 

[Ambitiouslabrat]

I have noticed I donate Less and my hematocrit stays a lot lower when I'm taking 80 mg of telmisartan.

Yeah I take an ACE-I prior to starting due to genetics.

I noticed looking at my blood work history it also lowered a lot of my CBC metrics. Still in range but definitely lower than before.

Without meds I typically run 135-140/85ish.

On meds usually 118/78

I want to switch to telmisartan but I get pharma lisonopril for like 2$/mo so it’s hard to justify the switch.

Today they had to take it twice but I was 140/90 so I think my estrogen is getting high since my BF% is far from ideal and I haven’t started an AI yet. Was going to get blood work done on week 6 at the halfway point and adjust from there but I might start taking .5 Adex day after I pin to see if I can get it down.


Do any of you use wrist monitors ? Every store bought cuff I bought shows my BP at 175/110 ( when natty) then I go to the Dr and they say in 135/85 consistently prior to meds. I tried extra large cuffs two different monitors etc. nurse said she thinks it’s my heart rhythm as well as big arms (17-18” biceps)

Going to find a semi accurate wrist monitor so I can keep a better eye on this. Price isn’t an issue because I’ll pay with my HSA.

 

[Deezznutzz]

No risk monitors are accurate. When I used to have to take Vital Signs every day at my old job we weren't allowed to use risk monitors because they suck so bad

 

[Ambitiouslabrat]

No risk monitors are accurate. When I used to have to take Vital Signs every day at my old job we weren't allowed to use risk monitors because they suck so bad

Guess I’ll have to resort to buying a manual cuff and making my old lady learn how.

Every digital monitor has me sky high, but every doctor sais I’m fine and in range

 

[Venom82]

Ok im currently only taking trt dose prescribed from my doctor. Wanted to donate just to help keep my red blood cell count from getting out of range. I take finasteride and thats a medication you are not suppose to donate. In the past i would just call after and tell them no to use the blood. I feel guilty about doing that. I have ordered phlebotomy kits online in the past and had a hard time with this. What are your guys thoughts?

 

[tuffie]

Ok im currently only taking trt dose prescribed from my doctor. Wanted to donate just to help keep my red blood cell count from getting out of range. I take finasteride and thats a medication you are not suppose to donate. In the past i would just call after and tell them no to use the blood. I feel guilty about doing that. I have ordered phlebotomy kits online in the past and had a hard time with this. What are your guys thoughts?

Do they document that and report thr data somewhere? I need to donate and I also take finasteride. Might just hold off fin for a month but I took dut last year and hasnt been 6 months.

Might just do the same as @Venom82

 

[Venom82]

They say call if you end up felling sick ect... so thats what i use to do is call and say i found out i was sick and give the number of the donation. I hate lying to use their resources but i also hate the medical field with their bullshit prices. Had a ct scan earlier this year. Cost was $13,500. That the one place the cost they just charge what they want.

 

[Venom82]

Do they document that and report thr data somewhere? I need to donate and I also take finasteride. Might just hold off fin for a month but I took dut last year and hasnt been 6 months.

Might just do the same as @Venom82

I use to do it as often as i could donate. I just always said on the questionnaire no i didnt take that medicine. Then always made sure to call and tell them not to use it. But like you said another option is to stop taking it until you can donate.

 

[SunnyInAZ]

Find a phlebotomist/medical professional that will do a therapeutic blood draw in your home. I go through regular donation but my sister n law who is a nurse has done it for me before. Maybe call around and ask the mobile IV people if they will do it.

 

[Venom82]

Find a phlebotomist/medical professional that will do a therapeutic blood draw in your home. I go through regular donation but my sister n law who is a nurse has done it for me before. Maybe call around and ask the mobile IV people if they will do it.

That would be sweet i cant find anyone

 

[Cats13]

Donating whole blood every 3-4 months does the trick for me. Keeps blood count within range and especially because I’m prone to elevated RBC, hematocrit due to genetic hemochromatosis