Self phlebotomy

[trtlifter291]

Fwiw instead of iron dextran you can try this..it stains less..in pigs lol. You can use an iv hose to pin the DG if you can't reach it.

Post in thread 'Chronic Low ferritin. Need advice from those who have fixed low ferritin.'

Oct 31, 2025

The posts on low iron are all over the forums in different threads lol.

I did my piggy iron shot today.
Used gleptoferron which has significantly lesser chance of staining.


Mixed in an old insulin vial
3ml L-carnitine 700mg/ml
3ml glutathione 700mg/ml
3ml piggy iron 200mg/ml


Injected 3ml IM DG 25g 1.5in.
Used an IV hose.
Flushed with 1ml of carnitine + airlock method.
Total was 3+1=4ml.




Will do 2 more shots in the following weeks then pull labs.

@AllGoodThings
@Ateam2023
@Tbaz192

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Thanks for this! Have you injected the glepto pig iron by itself ever? If so, how was the soreness? I'll have to read up on how it stains less, I thought "iron is iron" as far as that goes.

 

[Photon]

Thanks for this! Have you injected the glepto pig iron by itself ever? If so, how was the soreness? I'll have to read up on how it stains less, I thought "iron is iron" as far as that goes.

By itself?
No, that's a waste of syringe space..

There's newer generations of iron that stain less, but those are primarily used for IV. It doesn't mean you can't IM it tho.

Nobody wants to buy poultry that looks bloodied all over...hence the invention of iron that..stains less..

 

[trtlifter291]

By itself?
No, that's a waste of syringe space..

There's newer generations of iron that stain less, but those are primarily used for IV. It doesn't mean you can't IM it tho.

Nobody wants to buy poultry that looks bloodied all over...hence the invention of iron that..stains less..

It makes sense that they'd want to reduce staining. Could you point me to the sources stating this? I'm curious as to the mechanism of action that reduces the staining. My google-fu skills failed me.

Any notable soreness when you inject the cocktail of iron plus gluta and l-carnitine?

 

[trtlifter291]

How are you measuring your own hematocrit at home? I really like the sound of that!

Update: I have tested my HCT at home twice now, the process was quite simple and I got samples within 20 minutes from first washing hands to putting all supplies away. I made up a ziploc bag with all needed supplies for next time so it will be even quicker, maybe 10 minutes total.

I went from 56% HCT to about 50% after my 5th therapeutic draw totaling 600 ml, and recently finished a 6th therapeutic draw of 660 ml, bringing me to 6/6 successes.

I drew another HCT test sample a few days after the last big draw and am now waiting for it to settle for measurement. I subtract 2% to account for the rounded tube bottom, and another 3-5% due to no centrifuge at home so the RBCs don't pack as tightly.

I expect this latest test to come in at 43-45%. Ferritin should still be fine based on previous measurement from some months back.

 

[Billbo98]

Hi all,

Moved to a country where medical phlebotomy isn’t a thing and I can’t donate due to being on finasteride (and plenty of PED). My hematocrit just came in at 54. Not great not terrible but definitely not sustainable.

My only option seems to be self phlebotomy. I remember watching a video of a guy once using a blood pressure monitor as a tourniquet before blood letting. Was passed around this forum a lot. Does anyone know where I can find that video?

Any other tips/recommendations? On a range from partially stupid to total retard how stupid is it to embark on this?

This is full on down syndrome smoking meth in a bathtub with a space heater

 

[Ateam2023]

Update: I have tested my HCT at home twice now, the process was quite simple and I got samples within 20 minutes from first washing hands to putting all supplies away. I made up a ziploc bag with all needed supplies for next time so it will be even quicker, maybe 10 minutes total.

I went from 56% HCT to about 50% after my 5th therapeutic draw totaling 600 ml, and recently finished a 6th therapeutic draw of 660 ml, bringing me to 6/6 successes.

I drew another HCT test sample a few days after the last big draw and am now waiting for it to settle for measurement. I subtract 2% to account for the rounded tube bottom, and another 3-5% due to no centrifuge at home so the RBCs don't pack as tightly.

I expect this latest test to come in at 43-45%. Ferritin should still be fine based on previous measurement from some months back.

After drawing that much blood you think your Ferritin will be "fine" and the last time you had it tested was months ago? Better check again pal

 

[trtlifter291]

After drawing that much blood you think your Ferritin will be "fine" and the last time you had it tested was months ago? Better check again pal

I get your concern, but have already factored in the following:

1) My ferritin was 179 when it was checked.

2) A standard donation drops it around 30 points. With my larger amounts over two draws, it may be down to 70-80 at worst, a level that I felt perfectly fine at before.

3) I can easily give myself a couple iron dextran shots to fully replenish the iron lost from the two draws if it were to come to that.