How often should you donate blood while on testosterone

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Should you donate blood while on testosterone?
Should I donate blood while on steroids?
Does testosterone therapy thicken blood?
Does testosterone increase red blood cell count?

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I’m using testosterone patches or receiving testosterone injections. Can I donate?

If your medication was prescribed by a doctor registered in Australia, you can donate.

In some cases, testosterone may cause your haemoglobin levels (a protein in your blood that transports oxygen) to increase to above the acceptable range for donation. Don’t worry, though — we test your haemoglobin level before each donation and if it’s within the acceptable range on the day, you can donate.

Background: Polycythemia is the most common adverse effect of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and may predispose patients to adverse vascular events. Current Canadian guidelines recommend regular laboratory monitoring and discontinuing TRT or reducing the dose if the hematocrit exceeds 54% (hemoglobin ≥180 g/L). This threshold has been interpreted by some physicians and patients to indicate the need for phlebotomy or blood donation while on TRT.

Study design and methods: We reviewed all male blood donors in Southwestern Ontario at Canadian Blood Services from December 2013 to March 2016 who self-identified or were found on donor screening to be on TRT. Hemoglobin concentration was measured at the time of donation or clinic visit and with each subsequent appointment in repeat donors.

Results: We identified 39 patients on TRT who presented for blood donation over a 2-year period. The mean hemoglobin level at all clinic visits was 173 g/L (range, 134-205 g/L; n = 108). Hemoglobin concentrations of 180 g/L or more (calculated hematocrit, ≥54%) were measured at 25% of appointments. Of the 27 repeat donors, 12 (44%) had persistently elevated hemoglobin levels (≥180 g/L) at subsequent donations.

Conclusion: Hemoglobin concentrations were elevated in donors on TRT, and significant numbers had hemoglobin levels above those recommended by current guidelines. These data also suggest that repeat blood donation was insufficient to maintain a hematocrit below 54%. Our findings raise concerns about the persistent risk of vascular events in these donors, particularly when coupled with the misperception by patients and health care providers that donation has reduced or eliminated the risks of TRT-induced polycythemia.

Should you donate blood while on testosterone?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has deemed that blood collected from people receiving testosterone replacement therapy is safe and fit to be given to patients who need red blood cells.

Should I donate blood while on steroids?

Some people are at high risk of bloodborne infections, which makes them ineligible to donate blood. These high-risk groups include: Anyone who has used injected drugs, steroids or another substance not prescribed by a doctor in the past three months.

Does testosterone therapy thicken blood?

Testosterone therapy can make polycythemia worse because testosterone stimulates the production of red blood cells. Polycythemia can also be a side effect of testosterone therapy. And, it makes your blood thicker, which increases your risk for a heart attack or stroke.

Does testosterone increase red blood cell count?

Testosterone has a well-documented erythrogenic effect that increases red blood cell production. Testosterone treatment is associated with a dose-dependent increase in hemoglobin and hematocrit levels¹⁶^-¹⁸; the increases in hemoglobin and hematocrit are greater in older men than in young men.