Blood Donation / Hematocrit

[Nick_Vaz]

Hey guys,

Wanted to get a consensus on here of what the current thought is on when and if to donate blood in order to keep hematocrit in check. It seems there is still a mix of ideas every time its brought up, some guys donate religiously every 56 days and swear by it. While on the other side I have seen that frequent donations lead to iron deficiency and even worse rebounds of RBC / HCT anyway. Would love to hear from a lot of seasoned guys on here what your take on this is and where the current thought is on when and if Phlebotomy is necessary. Looking forward to hearing your guys thoughts.

 

[Tbaz192]

I’m a believer in don’t donate.

No need to donate if hydration and supplements can help keep CBC in check.
Daily pinning or more frequently can help your CBC panel too. Everyone is different though.
Doctors will say donate just seeing an elevated panel. But won’t check iron or care about it. Even though that highly affects things.

I’ve donated and had multiple instances of low ferritin and it’s taken A LOT to get that back to normal. Months and months.
And now I’m stuck in a never ending cycle of low ferritin to normal to low again.

 

[Billbo98]

I’m a believer in don’t donate.

No need to donate if hydration and supplements can help keep CBC in check.
Daily pinning or more frequently can help your CBC panel too. Everyone is different though.
Doctors will say donate just seeing an elevated panel. But won’t check iron or care about it. Even though that highly affects things.

I’ve donated and had multiple instances of low ferritin and it’s taken A LOT to get that back to normal. Months and months.
And now I’m stuck in a never ending cycle of low ferritin to normal to low again.

How much of a drop did you notice pinning daily?

 

[lamehack]

I only donate if my hematocrit creeps to the level of my hands/fingers getting numb faster then usually, when resting in some positions etc. usually every 4-5months or so

 

[explodingHeart]

Every single piece of scientific evidence on the subject shows high HCT over 50 is bad.

Only tiktok garbage influencers use copes like showing native tribes who survive with high HCT (and die much earlier on average).

Do whatever you want, but there is 0 proof and will never be any proof that high HCT is okay.

 

[Billbo98]

Every single piece of scientific evidence on the subject shows high HCT over 50 is bad.

Only tiktok garbage influencers use copes like showing native tribes who survive with high HCT (and die much earlier on average).

Do whatever you want, but there is 0 proof and will never be any proof that high HCT is okay.

I mean May people at higher altitudes live with over 50. Not saying for the avg normie with high BP and red face and high BG it’s ok but for someone who has good BP and no co-morbidities it’s not too bad.

 

[Nick_Vaz]

Every single piece of scientific evidence on the subject shows high HCT over 50 is bad.

Only tiktok garbage influencers use copes like showing native tribes who survive with high HCT (and die much earlier on average).

Do whatever you want, but there is 0 proof and will never be any proof that high HCT is okay.

I agree lower is better but besides never blasting and cruising what is your personal solution. even if blood draws do lower hct if its only temporary what good does it do besides depleting iron?

 

[Tbaz192]

How much of a drop did you notice pinning daily?

haven’t pulled labs yet. But my CBC hasn’t been elevated since dropping down on my dose and being in the 600-700ng/dl test level range.

Higher dose means higher demand to create Red blood cells , and that’ll elevate HCT, RHC, Hemo.
Also directly effecting ferritin as well

 

[Nick_Vaz]

haven’t pulled labs yet. But my CBC hasn’t been elevated since dropping down on my dose and being in the 600-700ng/dl test level range.

Higher dose means higher demand to create Red blood cells , and that’ll elevate HCT, RHC, Hemo.
Also directly effecting ferritin as well

what does it sit at on TRT and how much does it increase on cycle?

 

[Elektrobot]

Hey guys,

Wanted to get a consensus on here of what the current thought is on when and if to donate blood in order to keep hematocrit in check. It seems there is still a mix of ideas every time its brought up, some guys donate religiously every 56 days and swear by it. While on the other side I have seen that frequent donations lead to iron deficiency and even worse rebounds of RBC / HCT anyway. Would love to hear from a lot of seasoned guys on here what your take on this is and where the current thought is on when and if Phlebotomy is necessary. Looking forward to hearing your guys thoughts.

This question can only be answered by looking at your individual bloodwork, and doing what the bloodwork shows you should do


Anything other than that is just guessing

Don't make decisions based on guesses

 

[Nick_Vaz]

This question can only be answered by looking at your individual bloodwork, and doing what the bloodwork shows you should do


Anything other than that is just guessing

Don't make decisions based on guesses

well that's exactly my question. what HCT levels are worth not worrying about while on cycle for 16-20 weeks. Mines never been an issue or elevated on TRT. And like I said there's plenty of people who don't find donation to be a solution regardless of the bloodwork. some people freak out if it breaks 50 and others are completely comfortable going to 55+. So just trying to better understand what's been working for people and more importantly what does not work.

 

[Elektrobot]

well that's exactly my question. what HCT levels are worth not worrying about while on cycle for 16-20 weeks. Mines never been an issue or elevated on TRT. And like I said there's plenty of people who don't find donation to be a solution regardless of the bloodwork. some people freak out if it breaks 50 and others are completely comfortable going to 55+. So just trying to better understand what's been working for people and more importantly what does not work.

It's not just the number. As others have said, there are people who live in high elevations with hct over 50 their entire lives.

I would worry more about the rate of change, and when it starts to look high for you individually.

Don't compare numbers to other people

Compare them to you

Do bloodwork often while keeping blood pressure under 120/70 and iron markers within normal range.

If hematocrit starts to look out of range for YOU... take action.

Make sure you are hydrated for your blood draws.

If your testing shows 47, 47, 50, 49, .... 55- then 55 is probably where you make a plan to change something in your protocol and retest.