Get Your HEMOGLOBIN/HEMATOCRIT Checked- Maldorf Can Appreciate This...

[myosin]

I know many here already give blood when they can, just wanted to share my experience as I was a little caught off gaurd.

I went to give blood the other day and my HGB was 17.2 (high normal is 15-17 or 18: NOTE, will vary by different labs). I'm on what I think most could consider just a moderate dose of one source of "support". Which, in medicine we use the "rule of 3" my HCT was probably 51 (a bit high). The thing is, between 13-15 (though normal) the blood already starts to become a bit viscous. Thankfully, my trainer has me on a baby aspirin a day which I'm sure was helping as it took awhile for my arm to clot after they took the IV catheter out.

Now, these levels weren't "dangerous" per se, but,
1) my risk was increased, particularly if for whatever reason I became very dehydrated (stomach flu, etc.)

2) I wasn't expecting my levels to be this high and they could have gotten dangerous if perhaps I had waited longer to give blood.

Quick tid bit- if your HGB is high and you want to give more than one unit of blood (and save yourself some blood volume) ask for the "ALYX procedure." Instead of giving regular blood (which will yield only about 1 unit of blood as well take your platelets and plasma) the ALYX procedure will take 2 units but will return all your platelets and plasma.

 

[ENraged]

Good to know as I should be donating some soon just incase.

 

[dece870717]

What about if you've been blacklisted from giving blood at red cross?Are there any other places to get blood withdrawn?

 

[myosin]

Private Bank

What about if you've been blacklisted from giving blood at red cross?Are there any other places to get blood withdrawn?

Well- you don't have to answer this... but why blacklisted? Just curious, but don't answer if uncomfortable.

The other reason I ask (besides human curiosity) is that you may be blacklisted for a "good reason". Although blood is tested so much more than it ever was before it's always possible for "something" to "leak through" and possibly harm someone.

To directly answer your question though, there are usually private banks around the country, "Lifesource" being one.

 

[dece870717]

Well- you don't have to answer this... but why blacklisted? Just curious, but don't answer if uncomfortable.

The other reason I ask (besides human curiosity) is that you may be blacklisted for a "good reason". Although blood is tested so much more than it ever was before it's always possible for "something" to "leak through" and possibly harm someone.

To directly answer your question though, there are usually private banks around the country, "Lifesource" being one.

Cause I admitted to using steroids on their questionnaire you take before each blood withdrawal.

 

[myosin]

OK, one more....

What about if you've been blacklisted from giving blood at red cross?Are there any other places to get blood withdrawn?

ALL I'M SAYING IS THAT THIS IS AN EXTREMELY HYPOTHETICAL SITUATION.... If your HGB was high and your PMD didn't want to therapeutically withdraw blood, one could get an 18 gauge "butterfly" with some IV tubing attached, find a good size antecubital vein and let it drain into 1-2 measuring cups. Then, wash/mix with bleach to be discarded down the drain. AGAIN, EXTREMELY HYPOTHETICAL

 

[myosin]

Memory Lapse

Cause I admitted to using steroids on their questionnaire you take before each blood withdrawal.

It's possible you hit your head somewhere and had a memory lapse as you were going to a private bank.

 

[dece870717]

I was thinking of just going to a blood withdrawal and just tell them to take my blood and throw it out.

 

[maldorf]

HCT/HMB is something that you cannot feel, and it can creep up very fast. WHen I went in to donate mine had gone up to 59. They wouldnt take it. Just about 3 weeks earlier it had measured 54 at the doctors office. You dont want to end up like some of those elite cyclists that die in their sleep while taking EPO.

 

[maldorf]

Just thought of something.

I can remember my skin having the appearance of Concrete guy's when I had a really high hematocrit. Not saying that its necessary connected or it must be present if you have a high HCT, but it was there for me. Thought I would mention that because I thought of that when looking at his pictures he just posted up. His HCT could be perfectly normal, but I just remember mine looking like that when i was taking anadrol amongst other things. I also remember when I would lift Id get these weird red/blue splotches on my back. there was a post on here not long ago about guys getting thoes weird patches.

 

[Thor]

YES

I can remember my skin having the appearance of Concrete guy's when I had a really high hematocrit. Not saying that its necessary connected or it must be present if you have a high HCT, but it was there for me. Thought I would mention that because I thought of that when looking at his pictures he just posted up. His HCT could be perfectly normal, but I just remember mine looking like that when i was taking anadrol amongst other things. I also remember when I would lift Id get these weird red/blue splotches on my back. there was a post on here not long ago about guys getting thoes weird patches.

Damn I get those on my shoulders when I start getting pumped, they are about the size of a nickel and kind of blueish/purple

 

[maldorf]

Damn I get those on my shoulders when I start getting pumped, they are about the size of a nickel and kind of blueish/purple

Yeah, thats what im talking about. I had them when I had a high hematocrit, but I cant say that the two are connected in any why. I just noticed that. My wife would always get grossed out looking at them and say I needed to see a dermatologist. Now that I am clean, except for dr precribed HRT, i dont get them anymore. No more signs whatsoever.

 

[mature muscle]

I just found out mine is 55.1 and i take one regular aspirin daily so dont think that will save you.

 

[maldorf]

I just found out mine is 55.1 and i take one regular aspirin daily so dont think that will save you.

All aspirin does it help prevent the blood from clotting so fast. There is no drug that you can take to prevent the buildup of red blood cells, unless maybe some of those really harsh drugs they use for Chemo when you have cancer!

 

[maldorf]

I just found out mine is 55.1 and i take one regular aspirin daily so dont think that will save you.

Thats high, time to give some blood, if they will let you, or get off the AAS.

 

[deadliver]

I just had my blood work done.

my levels were

rbc count 6.36 ranges are 4.3-5.9
hemoglobin 18.8 ranges are 13.9-16.3
hematocrit 55.2 ranges are 39.0-55.0

should I give blood? you guys got me worried. excuse my ignorance, but I respect your advice and the knowledge that come out of this board.

thank you in advance.

 

[myosin]

Yes

I just had my blood work done.

my levels were

rbc count 6.36 ranges are 4.3-5.9
hemoglobin 18.8 ranges are 13.9-16.3
hematocrit 55.2 ranges are 39.0-55.0

should I give blood? you guys got me worried. excuse my ignorance, but I respect your advice and the knowledge that come out of this board.

thank you in advance.

Hey DL

I would start one baby aspirin a day and 10-20 grams fish oil and make sure to be fully hydrated... Doesn't lower your count BUT does help with viscosity.

To answer your question tho- yes, go give blood, seriously. You are at if not a little over the accepted range to donate. If they turn u down ask your PMD to therapeutically draw off some blood. If he won't... U may have to hypothetically take things into ur own hands.

 

[myosin]

Exactly

I can remember my skin having the appearance of Concrete guy's when I had a really high hematocrit. Not saying that its necessary connected or it must be present if you have a high HCT, but it was there for me. Thought I would mention that because I thought of that when looking at his pictures he just posted up. His HCT could be perfectly normal, but I just remember mine looking like that when i was taking anadrol amongst other things. I also remember when I would lift Id get these weird red/blue splotches on my back. there was a post on here not long ago about guys getting thoes weird patches.

Thanks for chiming in Mal- very good point... U can't really feel if ur HGB is up really. I was really caught off gaurd, thought it was going to be around 15 or so.

As far as skin- what was ur BP like? I can see if u had high BP and high H&H ur skin would have that "flushed" and red color.

 

[deadliver]

myosin,

Thanks alot, I will. I have a follow up appt. in a couple days so I will ask to get a script for blood letting.... just took a baby asprin, really appreciate it. Man, I love this board.

 

[myosin]

Legalities

I was thinking of just going to a blood withdrawal and just tell them to take my blood and throw it out.

That would probably be considered a medical procedure and require a docs script. Private practice gets paid for their blood- so to take the time to take yours they are losing money. I doubt they would let u pay them to do so either.