Donating blood

I was thinking about this earlier today and just wanted to hear what your thoughts are.

Is it generally safe to donate blood while on a basic cycle:

Cycle:
500mg test per week

Blood donation questions:
- Is it locally allowed?
- Are there any potential hazards for the receiver of the blood, for example if it is given to an 8 year old girl.
- Would there be enough test in the blood (probably a pint of blood) to cause any problems with female or younger people
- Do they specifically test for steroids in donated blood
- Can the blood service pick up the high levels of test
- Has anyone on cycle ever donated blood on the forum, if yes, has your blood been rejected for any reason
- I am sure tests are run on the blood, does anyone know what tests are run?

Thanks

In the beginning I always said I did use and it was prescribed but then they open the book and most of the time I had to read it to them and explain to them what the book say they must ask me and what to look for. Nowadays I just say I don't use any and no issues ever. On the Internet they say the test level would be very low in the amount of blood drawn that it would not matter.

I have been donating blood for many years. Never had shit and my blood is a supercharged version of a normal humans, and who ever receives it gets the "lucky packet"

You don't have to worry about it, the box asking whether you use steroids is the same box you tick if you do regular exercise so they clearly aren't against it. I told the woman taking my blood and she said it's perfectly fine.

Hey madelven,

Donating blood on cycle or TRT is great. 1st, you can bring down blood pressure and hematocrit levels one time. 2nd, the blood you donate will be richer in red and white blood cells, making them more "useful" for the recipient. Richer blood, if that term exists. I think one major concern is needle use, because taking test assumes you've injected it, and self administered injection can open the possibility of sharing needles, and sharing needles can open the possibility of infections. Also, they use you first ever donation of blood to perform checks on. So if you've donated blood before, your blood is less likely to encounter tests.

madeleven wrote: - Is it locally allowed?
There should be a item in the checklist for test/AAS. Tick it. It shouldn't disqualify you. I think anti-estrogens will cause your blood to get chucked (but there is also a time frame given)
- Are there any potential hazards for the receiver of the blood, for example if it is given to an 8 year old girl.
For your cycle of straight testosterone. No. I'm thinking for someone on derivitive steroids like Tren and Deca there might be a more complex answer.
- Would there be enough test in the blood (probably a pint of blood) to cause any problems with female or younger people
No. If anything their platelet count might get better for a while. Like Oupa said, you're donating superhuman blood, they'll probably reap more benefit than average.
- Do they specifically test for steroids in donated blood
Not that I've ever been told of in my donation history, but if you tick that you have used test, they might perform certain tests I guess.
- Can the blood service pick up the high levels of test
Yes. That does not mean they will test it right of the bat, it also doesn't mean rejection.
- Has anyone on cycle ever donated blood on the forum, if yes, has your blood been rejected for any reason
Donated. Accepted. I was honest on the form BUT I was only on test and no anti-estrogens.
- I am sure tests are run on the blood, does anyone know what tests are run?
No idea.

Hope it helps brah. That's all from my experience and knowledge but I'm rather certain of it. Since I'm on TRT I'll go in some time to just ask the most experienced/ senior person what's up. If someone can correct an error of mine, that's cool too.

So I let the SABS take a pint of blood from me earlier. Once again, told them on TRT, dosage, explained what dosage means, 100% fine. I asked about super-physiological steroid use and donating, and the junior nurse said the won't accept that. I find that hard to believe that if you've only been using large doses of testosterone (without AIs) that it'll be an issue. I'd actually like to get a haematologists perspective on this, or at least write to Muscle Insider's "Ask the Doc". It is my guess that the junior staff perhaps do not have indepth knowledge to answer that question properly. So the safe answer is "No." However, I am not a doctor brah, so if you feel that it is unethical by any means - don't do it. If you do not feel confident - don't do it.


Hormonas said:

You don't have to worry about it, the box asking whether you use steroids is the same box you tick if you do regular exercise so they clearly aren't against it. I told the woman taking my blood and she said it's perfectly fine.

Inconsistency 101. But in this case if one out of ten nurses say it's alright. Then it's alright!



Also, read below from their website:

What is safe blood?

Blood is deemed safe once the tests for HIV, Hepatitis B & C and Syphilis shows that it is clear.

What infections can be transmitted by blood?

• HIV, which leads to AIDS

• Hepatitis B

• Hepatitis C

• Syphilis

Who should not give blood?

People who have or may recently have contracted a sexually transmitted disease such as HIV or syphilis, which can be passed on to a patient through their blood.

People whose lifestyle puts them at increased risk of contracting an infection that can be transmitted through their blood: for example, if they have had more than one sexual partner in the past six months, or if they have had sexual contact with someone whose sexual background is unknown to them.

Who are the safest donors?

Voluntary, non-remunerated (unpaid) donors who give blood regularly are the safest blood donors. Their primary motivation is to help other people and having the satisfaction of knowing they have helped to save someone’s life.

What tests does SANBS use?

Since the inception of its new risk model in October 2005, SANBS is conducting Nucleic acid Amplification Technology (NAT) tests on every unit of blood that is donated. This is a very sensitive test, which detects the presence of the HI-virus, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and syphilis in blood. However, there is still the danger of the window-period which no test in the world can detect.
SANBS is the first country in the world to have implemented NAT testing on such a large scale for individual testing of blood.

Do you test blood at random?

No. Every unit of blood collected goes through the same stringent testing. So, it does not matter if it’s your first donation or if you are a regular donor, your blood still gets tested every time after you’ve donated.

How safe is it to donate blood?

As a donor, you have to complete a Self Exclusion Questionnaire, with questions on your health and lifestyle. The questions are asked to ensure that it is safe for you to donate blood and that your blood is safe for a patient to receive.
A finger prick test will also be done to check your iron levels. Your blood pressure will also be checked, to ensure you are fit to donate.

Can you get AIDS from donating blood?

No, absolutely not. All needles and finger-prick lancets are sterile and used once only. After use, each lancet and needle is placed in a special medical-waste container and incinerated.

Trained staff is employed to collect all blood donations and strict protocols are followed. Since the introduction of NAT testing we have no reported cases of HIV transmission.

Some patients do have the option of using their own blood. This is called Autologous Donation and must be discussed with their doctor 4-5 weeks before the scheduled surgery. Prior to the operation blood is collected from the patient, tested and held in special storage. It is then available for transfusion during or following the surgery, should the need arise.

Who qualifies to become a blood donor?

If you are between the ages of 16 and 65, weigh more than 50kg and lead a sexually safe lifestyle, you can come to a clinic and register as a blood donor.

Does it really matter that it is not 56 days since I last gave blood?

By law you may only donate every 56 days. This is to ensure that you have had enough time to regenerate the red cells from your last donation.

How much blood is taken at one time?

About 480 ml, by law this is all one is allowed to donate

Can I donate if I haven’t eaten?

By not eating before donating, your chances of having a reaction after donating are greatly increased. It would, therefore be unwise to take your blood unless you’ve had something to eat (a light snack) within the preceding 4 hours.

Why can’t I give blood if I weigh less than 50kg?

The volume of blood drawn is directly proportional to the body mass. Therefore, a small person will have less blood volume than a large person. The donation of 480 ml therefore means a far larger percentage of total blood volume to a small person.

Also, this is all from South African Blood Service, not the Western Province Blood Transfusion Service.

Take care, and remember to share if you get any additional insight.

Thanks for the feedback, this does clear grey area's!

The good doctor answered my question:

The only time you can't donate is when your using:

"Clomid, Fertomid, Serophene Chemotherapy drugs, including Tamoxifen &
Methotrexate"

for more information on this you can google SANBS reasons for deferrals.