I tried to give blood today

[GoddessOfGuinness]

but my iron was too low.

I'd never given blood before. The screening process is pretty amazing. They don't want your blood if you lived in certain countries for five years or more, including certain European countries where Mad Cow Disease has been found and countries like Cameroon, where HIV affects such a large percentage of the population.

[burrowowl]

1. I lived in France

they don't want my blood. I don't have AIDS, hepatitis C or anything else. Maybe madcow disease, but it exists here in the U$

[GoddessOfGuinness]

8. That just seems crazy!

Is Europe hurting for blood? I can't imagine how they have enough...

[sakabatou]

2. Yeah, the screening is very thorough...

I could make a crud joke here, but the mods would kill me.

[burrowowl]

3. Except for Madcows

who may have Madcow disease. Should we be screened by the FDA or USDA?
Descions, discions! The U$ of A is not logical or looking out for the commonweal!

[fortyfeetunder]

4. Yes, that does happen sometime

A few days before you donate again, have some iron-rich food, like dark green leafy veggies, prunes, etc. A multivitamin will help.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

7. Will do...

It's too bad they don't suggest that in their literature.

[sasquatch]

5. Well if you cut back on the Guinness for cryin' out load

:eyes:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

6. Actually...Maybe I should have one the night before.

Dark beer has iron. :beer:

[ogradda]

9. Popcorn.

I've had that problem, and popcorn will bring your iron up. At least it always helped me. I'm surprised they didn't give you a list of foods to eat.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

19. I would've never thought of popcorn...

Thanks for the tip!

[Blue Belle]

10. They wouldn't let me give blood...

I gave blood once and my hdl was too high (I think it was hdl, I'm not sure) anyway, their screeners wouldn't take my blood because an increase of hdl is an indicator of Hepetitis. Well, it turns out, at the time, I was being treated for headaches (an ongoing thing) and I was on about 8 different meds which was making my liver light up like a Christmas tree. Once I was off the meds, my blood count returned to normal. When I tried again, they wouldn't take my blood because I was tagged in their system (of course, they wouldn't test me again to see if I still had the problem). When I called the Red Cross they said the test they used previously was outdated, and they were trying to correct the problem, but I'd have to wait a few months before I tried again. Well, that was a few days after 9/11... and the irony was they were in need of my blood type (O Negative). I tried again last year, and was met with the same thing... after calling again, I finally got a letter from the Red Cross saying I could give blood again. We'll see what happens the next time I go to give blood.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

18. I hope it's straightened out

Seems like they always need rarer blood types. :hi:

[Blue Belle]

25. Oh it is...

It was just irritating. They made me feel like a freak... it was a little unnerving and dissappointing - especially during 9/11 when giving blood was the only thing I could physically do to help (if I could have, I would have been down there at Ground Zero digging through thte rubble with my hands if need be... as what most people would have done). But I don't think it will be an issue when I give blood again.

[yellowdogintexas]

26. hdl is part of a cholesterol study...usually the only blood test they

run is the iron test to see if you are anemic, so as not to risk your own health. I have NEVER had any kind of liver functions done prior to blood donation!!!!!

Those are usually part of a fasting blood screen that includes full lipid panel. blood sugar, liver panel etc. and results are not instantaneous. HDL is the good cholesterol anyway...

I would definitely try again. If cholesterol levels were a reason to not accept blood they would never take mine.

[skygazer]

11. I give blood every two months

I have fairly regularly since I turned 18 (I'm 44). I like to do it for a couple of reasons - I feel good to think I'm helping someone who needs it and I love the way it makes me feel. Kind of like a cleansing.

The screening is pretty rigorous - that's good. Though they probably miss out on some good blood, they also lower the risks of passing on tainted blood. Better to be too careful, I would think.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

20. I once participated in a screening study...

They wanted to know how likely someone would be to answer the screening questions honestly. There were some odd questions, like, "Have you had your ears pierced in the last 6 months", in addition to the predictable drug use and risky sex questions.

I hope everybody answers honestly...

[RebelOne]

12. I do not believe in giving my blood away for free.

Because if I ever needed blood, I would be charged for it.

[fortyfeetunder]

13. The price you pay is not for the blood itself

I am a long term blood and platelet donor, let me tell you it's not a cheap process.

The blood center has to test the donated blood to ensure it's the right type and there are no detected antibodies, virus, bacteria, etc, that can cause a problem for the recipient.

For platelet donation, we are connected to special machines to separate the platelets from the blood. The actual filtering device is disposable (one time use)

Second, there are the costs for transportation, and storage. Blood products have a shelf life and must be stored in a temperature controlled environment.

Then the medical equipment that has to be used, storage bags, sterile bandages, dextrose solution (for the apheresis), autoclaves, needles, donation bags, refrigeration, etc.

The price you pay verifies the blood you get will be the best possible replacement for the blood you lost.

[SmokingJacket]

15. But if everyone thought that way,

there wouldn't BE any blood to give you, free or not!

[RebelOne]

17. Sorry, I still stick by my conviction.

I give my blood for free, but if I need blood I will be charged for it?

[Orangepeel]

24. believe what you want to believe

people certainly have a right not to give blood for whatever reason. But, as fortyfeetunder points out, people aren't charged for the blood. They are charged the cost of obtaining, storing, protecting, etc. the blood.

I do think that people should get to accumulate credit for blood donation that would later offset charges for blood should they need it (similar to the way that someone giving blood in a hospital can designate credit for someone in the hospital who needs blood). Nowadays, blood banks have the record keeping and data storage skills to keep such records.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

21. That is, of course, your right...

I hope we never see the day when they force people to give blood.

[yellowdogintexas]

27. You will still have to pay whatever you have to pay if you need it.

whether you have ever given blood or not.

What if you have a rare blood type & it saved a child's life?
Or provided platelets to help a person with a clotting disorder?
Did you know that some types of leukemia are treated by stem cells cultured from blood rather than the more traditional bone marrow transplant?

I have O Positive and they always need it. I can only give twice a year as it tends to make me anemic but I do it anyway. If I get anemic I just lay off for a while, pump up w/iron rich foods and do it again.



If you have insurance, blood costs are normally covered.

[smirkymonkey]

14. I've had the same problem - it's common in some women

You might want to check to see if you are anemic. Last time I went, my iron levels were acceptable, but my blood pressure was too low (80/50)- I have no idea why it was so low, usually it's about 100/70.

I'll just keep trying, I guess. :)

[GoddessOfGuinness]

22. Maybe you needed caffeine...

That helps my mother when her BP is low.

I'm probably anemic. I haven't been taking my vitamins lately.

[Bossy Monkey]

16. Five years? Heck, maybe they'll let me give blood again

Last time I tried they told me I was a "permanent deferral" (I think that was the euphemism; meant I was banned anyway) for doing a Junior Year Abroad in the UK in the early '80s. Maybe I ought to try again.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

23. I'd try again if it's been that long.

Maybe they've changed their criteria.

[48pan]

28. After what happened in Canada, it probably...

not a bad idea to be selective.