Blood donation to lower Hct - How much does it help?

[espresso123]

Hey guys,

I guess most are aware of the risks involved with high hematocrit levels.
That being said, which experiences did you guys have on your bloodwork in terms of the reduction of Hct and how often did you do so?

Could not find any information to get a feeling of how often it should be done and how much of a reduction it will be like donating about 500ml blood.

Would be glad if a few members could share some information.

Cheers!

 

[Ateam2023]

Hey guys,

I guess most are aware of the risks involved with high hematocrit levels.
That being said, which experiences did you guys have on your bloodwork in terms of the reduction of Hct and how often did you do so?

Could not find any information to get a feeling of how often it should be done and how much of a reduction it will be like donating about 500ml blood.

Would be glad if a few members could share some information.

Cheers!

hydration plays an important role, how much "water" do you drink?

 

[DECLAN]

View: https://youtu.be/OspeshlnPGI?si=fiXIEcPC-8JBcm0m


What do you think of his thoughts.

 

[DugPrime]

It will helps for like 1-2 days, it's not a long-term solution at all.

 

[RekTest]

Water.

I used to run mid 50s, I started taking my water seriously, hydration powder and its been 46 ish ever since.
All my blood work is on 200mg/ test c TRT dose.


Edit: want to add I have never once donated blood.

 

[Benf15harp]

3 point decrease

 

[mae_geri]

my biggest problem was that i also lost a lot of iron after donating blood and as a result my ferritin and iron levels were below the reference for a long time. My RBC decreased about 5-10%.....But was it worth it?...idk

 

[Sampei]

The problem is the rebound as well, especially on a blast you can get a horrible rebound. Plus ferritin level in the drain

 

[Trenbolonetax]

My opinion is that it is a poor long term solution and will likely cause more problems than not if done habitually. @Sampei nailed it on the rebound comment; after donating your body will signal and ramp production substantially to create more RBC...and now you're back where you started or worse, shortly thereafter.

Anecdotally, my RBC has never tested about 53% regardless of what I'm running, how much, and no matter how dehydrated I am. I've seen in mine and others bloodwork that Telmisartan seems to lower RBC a bit.

 

[espresso123]

Thanks all for all the input you provided. Will also check into the video above to see what it is about.

My "issue" was, my RBC was elevated just a tiny bit (but not much more than my common "fluctuations") but my HCT came back tremendously high as well as my HB. My physician was not able to tell what this is about. Since it has never been that high even at the end of "blasting" (moderate doses used).

It was perhaps a hydration issue, got my HB checked on two different days aswell prior donating blood, one came out 15.x and the other one 17.x (with way less hydration).

Thank you again for making me aware of the rebound if running a blast.

 

[mae_geri]

My opinion is that it is a poor long term solution and will likely cause more problems than not if done habitually. @Sampei nailed it on the rebound comment; after donating your body will signal and ramp production substantially to create more RBC...and now you're back where you started or worse, shortly thereafter.

Anecdotally, my RBC has never tested about 53% regardless of what I'm running, how much, and no matter how dehydrated I am. I've seen in mine and others bloodwork that Telmisartan seems to lower RBC a bit.

How much Telmisartan you take? 40mg before bed?

 

[mae_geri]

Thanks all for all the input you provided. Will also check into the video above to see what it is about.

My "issue" was, my RBC was elevated just a tiny bit (but not much more than my common "fluctuations") but my HCT came back tremendously high as well as my HB. My physician was not able to tell what this is about. Since it has never been that high even at the end of "blasting" (moderate doses used).

It was perhaps a hydration issue, got my HB checked on two different days aswell prior donating blood, one came out 15.x and the other one 17.x (with way less hydration).

Thank you again for making me aware of the rebound if running a blast.

what's your blood pressure?

 

[espresso123]

what's your blood pressure?

Just took a measurement right now 126/90mmHG.
Thats around what I usually have - last two weeks it was pretty much elevated ranging from 135-150/80-100. Currently on 40mg telmisartan, put it up to 80 now (my doc was on vacation so I had to skip some doses before getting my new prescription)

 

[Trenbolonetax]

How much Telmisartan you take? 40mg before bed?

80mg the last 10 years

 

[DECLAN]

In my experience if you’re genetically predisposed to having high rbc, hema and hemo; you will always encounter elevated values in the long run.

I have tried everything even gone off all aas for 4 months and the lowest it gone is just a couple points below the limit which is probably my normal. The best/lowest values I had were during a cut blasting more than a gram of aas; but I am doing so much cardio, low carbohydrates and drinking liquid in high amounts, and earing cpap.

I am still looking for a solution.

 

[espresso123]

The weird part in my situation was, my RBC fluctuated (prior TRT) about 5.7-5.9, using Primo on top did not change much. Even during a TRT+ with a little Primo in, it ended up at 6.2. With highly elevated Hb and HCT.

My brother - no TRT, no AAS also is at 5.8 RBC.

Gotta find some supplements to lower it and start hydrating myself even more.
However, a well known TRT Doc in my country told me there is not much to worry about with higher HCT unless the RBC is not elevated to the sky.