How often do you donate blood to keep hematocrit levels in a healthy range?

[iron lifter]

My hematocrit chills between 56-61 now for a few years. Donating is worthless because it immediately rises back up while depleting my ferritin and making me feel like absolute shit. It's one of the most reckless trends to come from bodybuilding. Once a year is good for overall health but not the every 8 weeks shit.

56-61 is that now caused by donating? or that is normal for you?

 

[fitnessmuscle]

I don't want to speak in absolutes. Although look at the date in this picture. My hematocrit would have been 59.1%

I've been at that level several times. I generally hover around 53-55% without a single loss of a night's sleep hyperfixating on if I'm going to stroke out or have a sudden MI.


People can do as they please. If they feel there's a certain threshold they need to phlebotomize, go for it. I not the guy to hand out specific lab values to seek donating blood.

Wow, that's exactly what mine is to 59.1 and hemoglobin is 20.1 ,scares the hell out of me, never donated but I was seriously considering it , no side effects or anything but that number has me freaked out , any advice ,or should I not worry about it , I appreciate your post and seeing someone else with the same number lol

 

[Bobik]

Are you taking something to prevent a blood clot? Aspirin etc....
I have taken Aspirin because my HTC is usually 56-59, but it reduces the effect of Telmisartan.

 

[alfresco]

Every 2 months. Have donated over 10 gallons over the years. Good
for you, good for the community. Win win.

Plus it keeps my hematocrit within a tolerable range. Donating drops
mine about 2 points. I'm around 50 when the test results come back.
(It's been 52 and then I donate and it comes back around 50.)

I have no clue what it is when the jab me. Am I scared of the worst
case scenario? I don't honestly have an answer for that.

I would be interested in what it would be a day or two after I donate
verses the day before I test. I usually do it somewhere in the middle.
Will see if I can arrange that.

Adding per my Dr. visit today . . .

It is not really the hematocrit that is most concerning (to him),
it is my / your hemoglobin, keeping it in range. Untreated, this can
lead to clots, heart attacks and strokes.

Mine is 17.3 g/dL. Standard range is 13.5 - 18.0 g/dL. He said
keep giving blood.

 

[cal]

i recall last time i did it they remarked my hematocrit was borderline too high to donate...anyone dealt with anything like that...?

Always had high hematrocit even before gear.

 

[maldorf]

i recall last time i did it they remarked my hematocrit was borderline too high to donate...anyone dealt with anything like that...?

Always had high hematrocit even before gear.

Yes, if it's too high by their standards then they won't let you donate. You'll need a doctor's orders to do so.

 

[jeroendebleser]

i recall last time i did it they remarked my hematocrit was borderline too high to donate...anyone dealt with anything like that...?

Always had high hematrocit even before gear.

Yep, I can't donate either.

 

[MyNameIsJeff]

Are you taking something to prevent a blood clot? Aspirin etc....
I have taken Aspirin because my HTC is usually 56-59, but it reduces the effect of Telmisartan.

Suggested reading: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2174204917302088

 

[Bobik]

Suggested reading: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2174204917302088

Thanks, Jeff. Great read.