Giving Blood While on TRT

[SoMdHunter]

I have a question for those that have been recommended by their Dr to give blood.

I recently read on another board that the Red Cross will immediately disqualify you from giving blood if you answer on their questionare that you have given yourself any IM injections. I assume they are trying to screen for IV drug users, but one individual I know was placed in this "group" due to his TRT. Now that he is in their database, he is no longer a viable candidate for donating.

So if this is true, other than just out right lieing to the Red Cross, how does one deal with this?

Thoughts anyone?

[BigJimCalhoun]

I gave blood through another group and the question was, "have you taken steroids or any other drug not prescribed by a doctor"

Well, T is sometimes called a hormone and steroids usually mean synthetics and I was prescribed T by a doctor so I answered no.

I was going to start one of those, "By the way, on question 47..." conversations, but this time, I wisely kept my mouth shut.

[wildfox]

I gave blood through another group and the question was, "have you taken steroids or any other drug not prescribed by a doctor"

Well, T is sometimes called a hormone and steroids usually mean synthetics and I was prescribed T by a doctor so I answered no.

I was going to start one of those, "By the way, on question 47..." conversations, but this time, I wisely kept my mouth shut.

I think they are worried about people taking injectibles without a prescription somehow not doing the right things with needles and sanitary precautions. If they take blood from teenage boys (and they will with parental consent), then they shouldn't have to worrying about us on TRT.

[SoMdHunter]

That may be true, but it would seem this doesn't apply. From what I can find out, one is automatically disqualified by being on TRT.

[wildfox]

That may be true, but it would seem this doesn't apply. From what I can find out, one is automatically disqualified by being on TRT.

If that were a danger, they should:

1) ask explicitly if the prospective donor is on doctor-administered TRT
2) test the blood for whatever they are worried about.

[cpeil2]

I gave blood through another group and the question was, "have you taken steroids or any other drug not prescribed by a doctor"

Well, T is sometimes called a hormone and steroids usually mean synthetics and I was prescribed T by a doctor so I answered no.

I was going to start one of those, "By the way, on question 47..." conversations, but this time, I wisely kept my mouth shut.

And "steroids" generally means AAS. If it were me, I would reply "no" with a completely clean conscience because TRT is not AAS. The hazard to the recipient of that unit of blood is no greater than from a unit donated by a young man with a healthy endogenous T level.

[SoMdHunter]

And "steroids" generally means anabolic steroids. If it were me, I would reply "no" with a completely clean conscience because TRT is not AAS. The hazard to the recipient of that unit of blood is no greater than from a unit donated by a young man with a healthy endogenous T level.

I would think the same thing. As long as your T levels are within range, there shouldn't be a problem. However, once you tip your hand, you won't get a 2nd chance so ya gotta get it "right" the first time.

I was also hoping Dr John would offer hsi insight to this. I would love to hear his thoughts.

[AnotherOldGuy]

I think what is important is the "spirit" of the question, and not the "letter" of the question.

JMHO.

[wildfox]

I think what is important is the "spirit" of the question, and not the "letter" of the question.

JMHO.

I'm thinking I'll ask them next time what they mean.

[Skeptic]

Most people do not understand TRT. To them, it's all steroids. I would not tell them a thing.