Does anyone donate blood?

[cmcole]

Just got back from my first Plasma Donation.

Prior to this, I gave whole blood, which can be done every 56 days. Plasma can, if desired, be donated weekly. They extract the blood, centrifuge it (or somehow separate it), keep the plasma, and return the rest through the same needle. It's done in cycles.

Didn't take much longer than a whole blood donation. For me it took 23 minutes, and it means I can help more people, because Plasma is needed more frequently than whole blood, and can be stored longer, as well.

Takes five donors to give the equivalent (if they had to separate whole blood donations) of one Plasma donation.

[LisaS]

I've never donated plasma, though I've donated whole blood for many years. Then a few years back I got into donating platelets - which can be done about every 2 weeks. It does take quite a bit longer - about 1.5 hrs as I recall - but you just lean back and watch a DVD :)

[Vivian]

My husband donates fairly regularly. I go with him and attempt, but about half the time my iron is too low (too low to donate, but not low by other standards). The last time we tried, we were both turned away because we vacationed in Playa del Carmen, Mexico last summer, and have to wait a year after that, before they'll take our blood. Husband donated platelets a couple of years ago for a friend with cancer. Once again, I was too low on iron.

[ladydoc442]

Same for me, Vivian ... anemic, iron-poor blood, in spite of all the supplements I take and the good iron-rich food I eat. I wish I could donate, but they don't want me :(

[Gaelen]

Ah well...they also 'don't want you' if you have ever had a stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic) or are currently on chemo...but the fact is that long before I had either the ICH or started chemo, they rejected me because I passed out EVERY time! SO embarrassing! And they like A-positive blood, too, but I was a little too high-maintenance as a donor. OTOH, I can organize and set up drives, manage the pre- and post-donation waiting areas, take histories, spot donors in trouble (been there!) There are LOTS of other ways you can help, even when you can't actually donate yourself...so don't let your own medical conditions stop you from making a difference!

[Mitra]

I've somehow lost the habit since I stopped working at a place where they came round and took blood on-site twice a year - it was much easier than having to search for dates and venues when they'll be in the area. I also lost the routine with some travels, like a couple of trips to India, that required a 12 month break.

My first couple of times I tried to give blood, they wouldn't take it because I was too small (less than 8 stones/112 lb) so I started lying about my weight (I was only about two pounds below their threshold, so if I added 5 lb to my weight they were perfectly happy). Then my weight caught up with, and exceeded their limit - now, 20 years later, I'm back at 112 again :D. My blood's O -ve, so also one that's in demand. I'd better find out when and where ...

[arc]

they rejected me because I passed out EVERY time!
I had the same problem and found that if I have them put my feet up before they even start, I'm okay.

[Missy]

I've never given blood...believe it or not? I'd like too, but what are the guidelines? Perhaps I'm too heavy??

I was considering doing that after checking out my ferritin levels that the Eades book talked about??? Perhaps mine are too high....so that's why I'm considering donating blood...but? maybe I wouldn't qualify?..yet??

Lynn

[Mitra]

Missy, why don't you check the web-site for your blood donor organisation (I just typed "blood donor" into google). That should tell you what restrictions they apply, if any.

[Missy]

Good Idea Mitra! :D

http://www.redcross.org/services/biomed/0,1082,0_557_,00.html#hor

found out my answer!! Whatdayaknow! lol

[Dodger]

According to the Red Cross guidelines, I cannot give blood.

Hepatitis, Jaundice
If you had hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) caused by a virus, or unexplained jaundice (yellow discoloration of the skin), since age 11, you are not eligible to donate blood. This includes those who had hepatitis with Cytomegalovirus (CMV), or Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), the virus that causes Mononucleosis.

I had Epstein-Barr in my late thirties.

[Belfrybat]

I gave up trying after being turned away every time because my blood pressure is too low. I hadn't thought about giving plasma -- perhaps blood pressure is not a factor in that. Will check it out.

[Carmen Sandiego]

I gave it before but was so traumatized, I've been hesitant to go back! :p They tore my arms up good looking for a vein...aren't those the blue things running around under the skin? :slywink:

After finally getting the needle in my left arm, it crapped out so they moved onto the right! I had bruises for miles on each arm!

[cmcole]

That's horrid!!
I've never known that to happen.
The time before last I bruised, but it was probably because I didn't put enough pressure on the spot after they took the needle out, or I went to the gym or running with the dogs later, and disturbed the site. It's more prevalent with plasma donation (I've been told), because there's a small amount of anticoagulant that goes back into the site with the return of the red blood cells (it dissapates soon afterwards, though)

[dvdmon]

I started giving blood again in February. Before that I'd given several times in 2003, and maybe once in 2004. In 2003 there was a blood drive that happened right near work and someone from the office would send out an email. But then the office moved and we only had one or two drives after that. Back in February of this year, at a completely different job, I decided to take the matter into my own hands and look for blood donation centers, since nothing is organized through work. There was one not far from where I live, so I signed up and now the red cross contacts me right around the 56-day mark. I can sign up for an appointment online and everything!

I've only given whole blood and mostly this is because I give blood for selfish reasons. I could pretend that it was altruistic, and I am glad that I am helping others, but I think if there were no health benefits for myself I'm not sure if I would do it. Probably not because I didn't give before I found out. I've volunteered for other things, so I'm not a complete heartless bastard, though ;-) But I'm not particularly fond of needles, so I think I would try to donate/volunteer in other ways if I had the choice.

Anyway, regarding the health benefits, I wonder what how whole blood vs. plasma donation vs platelet donation would do? In PPLP, the Eades talk about the possibility that whole blood donation lowers iron content and this might also lower heart disease risk. I've searched the web for more on this and only found an article on CNN from 2000. Does anyone know of any more recent studies/info?

Secondly, my father-in-law has high iron levels and so has been turned down whenever he tries to donate blood. Is there any way he can decrease his iron levels so that he can start donating again? He's kind of in a catch-22!

[cmcole]

That's strange, also, because they always test your iron and you have to be equal to or above a certain level to give plasma or platelets.

The guy I went with from work couldn't give, because he had changed his diet from the previous time (they weigh you, and he felt he weighed more than he wanted), so he decided to eat a lot of salads, but very little protein, and hardly any red meat. Additionally, he started to walk again, because the warmer weather was upon us.

They said all those things contributed to lowering his iron levels, and it was too low for him to give.

[lizi145]

Hmmm...that's odd. I remember the Eades' recommendation for blood donation for men and post-menopausal women to reduce iron.

Has your FIL spoken to his doctor about this issue?

I came across a website which concurs with the Eades' that blood donation is the only practical & effective method to reduce the iron.

http://www.menweb.org/alexiron.htm

Sorry I can't help any more.

Lizi

[LisaS]

my guess is that Red Cross and/or other blood banks have upper limits for reasons of their own -

but it seems like the person with high Fe should be able find a location to get some *drained off* for medical reasons -- but maybe not on the blood banks volunteer donor dime.

[cmcole]

http://www.bloodservices.ca/CentreApps/Internet/UW_V502_MainEngine.nsf/page/E_Hemoglobin?OpenDocument

Only an indication of low iron being a problem, not too high, unless I haven't looked far enough - off to search some more.

Canadian Blood Services temporarily defers blood donors whose hemoglobin copper sulfate test falls below the standard of 12.5 g/dL.


American Red Cross:

Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, Blood Count
Acceptable if you have a hemoglobin at or above 12.5 g/dL.
Acceptable if you have a hematocrit at or above 38%.

Still nothing regarding too high iron.

[Howard]

I give blood very regularly, and because of this I have become borderline anemic. My Ferritan Level has will fall below 12. My Dr. says it should be at least 20, and the Eades recommend 50. So each time the iron drops too low, I buy a month or two worth of Iron supplements, and then I get retested the next time I am at the Dr. This will keep my ferritan level between 20 and 50. What is a little odd though that when the blood bank tests my blood for hemoglobin, I have never been disqualified.

Howard

[cmcole]

Well, the blessing about giving plasma or platelets is that they give you back the red blood cells, so your lowered iron (anemia) shouldn't be an issue.