Timing considerations to donating blood?

[Landmonster]

Hi guys. I just wondered if there was any timing considerations that we should be aware of before we donate blood.

For example, should you worry about whether you're in a blast phase, in a cruise phase, or an excessively hard training phase we are giving blood?

Is one more optimal or pratical than another, so that the act of donation doesn't negatively impact your training?

Have you noticed a negative impact on training or endurance from it?

The reason I ask is because I have not donated and at least 6 months. I am coming up on the tail end of my blast cycle where I am also training very hard. I wonder if I should do it now, or wait several weeks and do it during my cruise phase. Or does it even matter?

 

[Capin]

It doesn't matter I do the double red twice a year sometimes I'm blasting sometimes I'm crusing.
Eat b4 you go have some cookies and orange juice after then go to the gym as usual.

 

[Landmonster]

Can any experts chime in?


I'm also curious if we should be doing Double Red donation, or whole blood. Health-benefit wise, which is the best choice?

 

[Tank211]

I normally donate on a cruise……No real reason why, I just always have. And no donating blood doesn’t impact my training or endurance at all.

 

[Mcmuscle6]

Would love to know the best time to give blood if one was beginning Contest prep and was 6 months out from a couple planned shows back to back , but would be necessary to go donate because of high hematocrit and the obvious health reasons.. Goals: avoid hypertension, high blood pressure... its been awhile since donating and I'm more aware of its purpose health wise now than before..

 

[liv2pb]

1. Only reason it would matter is if you blood pressure is crazy high and might get denied from it. Other than that it doesn't matter if blasting or crusing.

2. Donating affects my cardio for about a week negatively but i haven't noticed much of a difference as far as lifting weights.

3. Do it asap no need weight.

Tip- if your using points go get a wellness exam, you have to set up an appointment. You can't do it as a walk in.

 

[malcom young]

If you’re blasting, your crit will be affected,...over 55 and you’ll be rejected.

For me, legs aren’t fun even a few days after donating.

 

[liv2pb]

Can any experts chime in?


I'm also curious if we should be doing Double Red donation, or whole blood. Health-benefit wise, which is the best choice?

Do whole blood. When I did double reds a few times my hct was always high the next time in. The more frequent donations are more effective imo.

 

[pesty4077]

Taking steroids, you should b donating on a regular bases. At least get blood work to see where you are at. I try to donate blood every 2 months, 3 months max. They will not let you donate over 18 Hemoglobin though.

 

[concreter]

Its been about 6 months for me as well..
Had it down from 21 to 16 in 2 donations last spring.
Interested were my levels may be Now!

 

[XstarchildX]

It's been a hair over 6 months for me as well. I just got my labs back last week and hemoglobin was in range, hct was slightly above normal according to the lab I was using, and I was still iron deficient base on my MCT, MCH, RDW, etc. It's a never ending battle for me .

 

[musclemoose]

I go every 4 months no matter what. Doesnt effect my performance at all.

 

[prodaf]

Every 3 months is perfect for me