Denied blood donation

[DM47#]

The blood bank told me my iron was to high to donate, I was at 20. Is there anything I can do to get this to drop? Will this number change much post meal or earlier and later in the day? They told me I had to wait three days to try again so just looking to see what I can do to get it lowered enough to donate without a Dr's order

 

[Doug 64]

The blood bank told me my iron was to high to donate, I was at 20. Is there anything I can do to get this to drop? Will this number change much post meal or earlier and later in the day? They told me I had to wait three days to try again so just looking to see what I can do to get it lowered enough to donate without a Dr's order

Hey man short of putting on leaches, you are pretty much SOL. Therapeutic phlebotomy is the primary way to address it. I'd be concerned with the cause of the high readings as well. Good luck.

 

[Billygoat]

The blood bank told me my iron was to high to donate, I was at 20. Is there anything I can do to get this to drop? Will this number change much post meal or earlier and later in the day? They told me I had to wait three days to try again so just looking to see what I can do to get it lowered enough to donate without a Dr's order

If you’re supplementing with iron I’d cut that immediately. Also drop anabolics and lower to trt/trt + dose and focus on hydrating.

Then re test. I’m assuming you’ve done all that but just for anyone else that might be in similar spot.

 

[BigMike305]

MIght need to see a doctor and get a prescription if its that high

Some ways to get Hct down
1. Drink 3-4 liters of water w electrolytes 2-3 hours before lab draw
2. Some guys like myself see benefit by supplementing with Naringin and Nattokinase, Ive been taking Hemoflow by leviathin nutrition, however its pricey
3. I also supplement with tumeric which can help decrease iron absorption
4. Get tested for sleep apnea , lots of us have sleep apnea and this 100% increases your Hct
5. If your running a cycle, Id stop for 3-4 weeks, let everything clear out and go back to a really low dose of TRT, like 120-140 test a week
6. All androgens, even testosterone can increase erythropoiesis and subsequently lead to higher hematocrit. Some of the more common culprits are Equipoise, Anadrol, Deca/nandrolones . But even Primo and anavar can affect Hct as well , so be careful with compound selection
7. Avoid iron supplements and vitamin C, as Vit C increases dietary iron absorption

Hope this helps

 

[Doug 64]

MIght need to see a doctor and get a prescription if its that high

Some ways to get Hct down
1. Drink 3-4 liters of water w electrolytes 2-3 hours before lab draw
2. Some guys like myself see benefit by supplementing with Naringin and Nattokinase, Ive been taking Hemoflow by leviathin nutrition, however its pricey
3. I also supplement with tumeric which can help decrease iron absorption
4. Get tested for sleep apnea , lots of us have sleep apnea and this 100% increases your Hct
5. If your running a cycle, Id stop for 3-4 weeks, let everything clear out and go back to a really low dose of TRT, like 120-140 test a week
6. All androgens, even testosterone can increase erythropoiesis and subsequently lead to higher hematocrit. Some of the more common culprits are Equipoise, Anadrol, Deca/nandrolones . But even Primo and anavar can affect Hct as well , so be careful with compound selection
7. Avoid iron supplements and vitamin C, as Vit C increases dietary iron absorption

Hope this helps

Just be careful with the Nattokinase, that shit made me bleed like a stuck pig!

 

[BigMike305]

@Doug 64 ... YES...When I first started taking it I took too much and got a nose bleed outta no where

 

[Doug 64]

@Doug 64 ... YES...When I first started taking it I took too much and got a nose bleed outta no where

Yeah, this is definitely one of those more is NOT better kind of supplements for sure.

 

[Wardamn]

Get a script for therapeutic donations and be done with it.

 

[DM47#]

I've incrementally lowered my dose and im currently sitting at 100mg a week (started at 200mg) and pinning 2 times a week. I've got my trt at a good place but haven't seen changes with the hemoglobin, hemocratic and RBC. Should those numbers be dropping as well or is that something you just have to learn to deal with?

 

[BigMike305]

I've incrementally lowered my dose and im currently sitting at 100mg a week (started at 200mg) and pinning 2 times a week. I've got my trt at a good place but haven't seen changes with the hemoglobin, hemocratic and RBC. Should those numbers be dropping as well or is that something you just have to learn to deal with?

What was your hematocrit prior to getting on TRT?

The average red blood cell cycle/lifespan is about 120 days so it will take time to adjust

Fastest way to get it down is w a therapeutic phlebotomy

Another thing you can do is switch to daily SQ injections that seems to help some people as wrll

If all else fails, the topical TRT gels seem to not cause such a rise in HCt compared to injectables

 

[elit3keraed]

I've incrementally lowered my dose and im currently sitting at 100mg a week (started at 200mg) and pinning 2 times a week. I've got my trt at a good place but haven't seen changes with the hemoglobin, hemocratic and RBC. Should those numbers be dropping as well or is that something you just have to learn to deal with?

It can take several months to see a change. I think it’s 90 days for the life of a RBC so you gotta wait for it to clear out unless you’re doing blood donations.

what’s your RBC at? Is it within range or is it also high?

I only ask cuz i was having issues with HGB being at 18 and HCT being at 54-56 when it was normally 16.7-17 while on cycle (so my TRT dose gives me higher than a cycle dose).

RBC has always stayed in range though so doc suspected it was dehydration as my dad has similar issues. Donated post workout a few weeks ago and my HGB was 16.6 (was 18 in May when I did bloodwork) which is the lowest it’s been in a LONG time. I had my usual pre and intra workout drinks which came out to roughly 3/4 a gallon. Realized my early AM blood draws were always done while I was super dehydrated so now I focus on keeping hydration up.

Might need to crank up the hydration (obviously 20 isn’t solely from dehydration but might get you in range to donate)

 

[Ghostface]

@Doug 64 ... YES...When I first started taking it I took too much and got a nose bleed outta no where

I took too much once and started my period early...and im a DUDE

 

[balin]

In the short term hydrate like mad before you go in. Most everything else will likely take many weeks to have an effect.