We don’t need to donate anymore!

[GreenMachineX]

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Well, I don’t really know if we need to. But this video and the evidence they discuss is really intriguing. I’m going to stop donating for a while, build my iron back up, and see how high it gets. If it hits 55, I may donate again, but again, not sure. Anyone have any thoughts on this?
kenpoengineer

 

[John Smeton]

Ive cut back to 1-2 times a year from four , in the past four years since on trt

I like to see my hemo-crit and globin levels not go too high like 18 plus. It might not hurt, I think its definelt not a bad thing to donate at least once a year. If your iron levels go too low thats another test you'll have to get.

 

[The Matrix]

Injections of eod or daily also reduced polycythemia

 

[GreenMachineX]

Ive cut back to 1-2 times a year from four , in the past four years since on trt

I like to see my hemo-crit and globin levels not go too high like 18 plus. It might not hurt, I think its definelt not a bad thing to donate at least once a year. If your iron levels go too low thats another test you'll have to get.

That’s my problem, I’ve driven my ferritin down too far again.

 

[Winning85]

Blood work is the only way to tell if we need to donate or not ... donating every 60 days keeps me in good range . I keep a lot of iron in my diet . I add a cup and half of kale in my breakfast shake everyday which I think keeps my iron up .

 

[kisaj]

Docs around here don't even bat an eye if you are at or below 55-56. I live at 6000'. Been on about 8 years and have never donated, I am always around 52.

 

[GreenMachineX]

Docs around here don't even bat an eye if you are at or below 55-56. I live at 6000'. Been on about 8 years and have never donated, I am always around 52.

I’m at 1000 above sea level, and I’m not sure what my hematocrit would climb to if I didn’t donate and take telmisartan. I took some time off telmisartan to see if it was giving me side effects and my hematocrit jumped from 48 to 52 in 3 weeks. I went back on before it went any higher. At 120mg per week it hit 54, and at 160mg per week it hit 58. I’m not sure if it would’ve climbed higher than that though if I didn’t catch it.

I do wonder though, why doctors panic when they see hct above 50 but when it’s even a lot higher above sea level, it’s not a concern. Differing elevation doesn’t change the concern for thrombolytic events, does it?

 

[kisaj]

I do wonder though, why doctors panic when they see hct above 50 but when it’s even a lot higher above sea level, it’s not a concern. Differing elevation doesn’t change the concern for thrombolytic events, does it?

That's a great question and one I've also wondered. It is also what kind of told me that maybe it isn't as big of a deal as led on to believe if we can have docs and specialists not caring simply because of where you live.

 

[John Smeton]

That’s my problem, I’ve driven my ferritin down too far again.

Its very common with people who donate. I'm thinking once a year is enough. If you have to because your doctor is misinformed then its okay to give blood another time in the year. Too much though is a no-no, for low ferritin levels, which cause shortness of breath,high anxiety, hair to fall out,.

Also too low red blood cell count can reduce strength because those high red cell counts help with your strength so indirectly it helps more muscle mass . I would give blood not on a strength gaining phase, and maybe more on a hypertrophy more reps phase, when your not training as intense.

People in andes at 21, and many, many people living at high altitudes at 21!

Its a misconception , and they confuse it with polycythemia, which is a different condition.

This is from study after study after study. Listen to the podcast.

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