Crap! I got deferred as a blood donor for the second time in my life

[CitrusLib]

I feel like a failure. My husband can't give because of a blood disorder, so I'm my families chance for a contribution. They said my iron was too low (34% and it has to be at least 38%).

Could this be why I fall asleep every night at 8:30?

[Shell Beau]

1. Go to the doc to make sure you aren't anemic!

Or take iron supplements.

[Avalux]

2. Anemia causes lethargy, so yes

I can't give you medical advice here - go see your doctor. You may need an iron supplement. :hi:

[progmom]

3. i'm excluded because i lived in europe

:shrug:

[Shell Beau]

4. Really? As much as they need blood and they

turn you away for that?

[kick-ass-bob]

6. I think it is within a certain timeframe.

Or is it?

[Shell Beau]

7. That may be it. That would at least make more sense!

[Hugin]

16. It's a very broad time frame...

"You have lived in western Europe since 1980"

http://www.bloodbook.com/donr-requir.html

Don't know why 1980 is a magic number... But,
there you have it.

[calico1]

9. They were asking that because of

Mad Cow disease. If you travelled to Europe (though I thought it was just England but I could be wrong) I think you can't donate for one year after or something like that.

[arwalden]

8. What Do People IN Europe Do For Blood??

:shrug:

[northzax]

13. vampires.

there's a reason they come from transylvania.

[northzax]

12. ditto, four years in the UK

spike my chances.

or was it the IV drug use with tubercular malarial gay prostitutes in Haiti? oh well, one of the two.

[Shell Beau]

15. ha ha ha

[Rising Phoenix]

5. While my mom was having surgery...

my brother and sister and I thought we would kill time by giving blood...none of us were able to...for various reasons...we learned quite a bit about each other

[CaliforniaPeggy]

10. Hi there, CitrusLib!

Good thing I saw your thread! I am a newly retired RN; I used to work for the American Red Cross, as a nurse in their blood banking department, and I can answer your questions!

First off, my dear, you are NOT a failure...not in any sense of the word...

The iron level is very important in order for you to be able to donate...And as you know, 38% is the minimum...

This is because you lose a fair number of red cells when you give your blood, and we want you to have an adequate number when you're done donating...We do NOT want to endanger our donors...

Since you sound like you must be a pre-menopausal female, this is extra important...since your periods cause you to bleed also...

I would not be surprised if your low iron level is causing you to feel tired...Do you take any vitamin supplements? If not, you might want to consider doing so...Cheap insurance...

Do you eat red meat? This can really help also...if you want to...

And you just might want to check with your MD; get some blood work done, to see what's what...

And if all checks out OK...next time you try, go in about 2 weeks before your next period is due...this tends to help as well..

And don't give up! We desperately need healthy donors....Thanks!

[kick-ass-bob]

19. can you answer the Europe since 1980 thing?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

21. Since 1980...because that was when aids first hit, and became

testable..I think...

But I can ask my blood banking friends and get back to you, if you'd like...



:shrug:

[kick-ass-bob]

24. not that big of a deal - just curious.

[CitrusLib]

27. No vitamins, but I am an omnivore.

I ditched them after I had my son. I was on pre-nates before, but since I'm unable to have any more children, there didn't seem to be a point. :blush:

I do eat red meat and as I've been following a South Beach type diet for almost two years, I eat tons of nuts, dried fruit, spinach, broccoli, etc.

Ironically, my lunch today before I tried to donate was marinated flank steak on a bed of spinach followed with a cup of raisin. Go figure.

I'm off to buy some vitamins this afternoon and I'll try again in a few weeks. Thanks for the support!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

30. Your diet sounds quite good...

But one meal just before donating won't do it...it has to be a lifestyle, really...

I imagine that vitamins will help...

I'm glad I could help at least a little...

:hug:

[fudge stripe cookays]

11. Eat lots of spinach!

and some liver. You'll be right as rain in no time!

I was anemic a few years ago. Started eating healthier, and it helped.

I don't think I can donate anymore. I told them I'm on interferon drugs now, and the girl said she'd check and get back to me. Haven't heard anything back.

FSC

[CitrusLib]

22. That's what I don't get.

I've been eating a South Beach diet for almost two years. Tons of nuts, dried fruit, spinach, broccoli, etc.

Things that make you go hmmmmm. :shrug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

25. The things you're eating are good sources of iron....but...

they are not as well absorbed by the body as meat products are...

If you do decide to take a vitamin/mineral supplement, then be sure to read the label...make sure that there's a LOT of iron in it...and then increase your chances of absorbing it by taking the pill with something full of vitamin C...orange or grapefruit juice...The vitamin C helps the body absorb the iron much more efficiently...

Hope all this helps you!

:hi:

[CitrusLib]

29. Now that I didn't know.

Vitamin C helping absorb iron. I'd never heard that before! Take vitamin with OJ. Check.

OK, a delicate question. When I was on pre-nates (loaded with iron), they caused, um, significant gas. Are some vitamins better than others? Or do I add Gas-X with the OJ/vitamin cocktail? :D

[CaliforniaPeggy]

31. This can be a problem....

The ones I take are time-released, and they don't bother me at all...

I'd get a small bottle and try them out...and then if they bother you, then you're not out mega-bucks...

The ones I take...and this is NOT medical advice...are from the Great Earth vitamin stores...and they are time released, so the body can absorb them over time...

Since I've been taking them, I have not been deferred for low iron. Even though I'm post-menopausal, I have always had a low iron count...no more...

Good luck!

[bicentennial_baby]

33. and calcium blocks absorption of iron to a degree

so don't take a calcium fortfied OJ with it, or milk.

[xultar]

14. Ditto with me and I seem to be developing Pica for some reason.

[Shell Beau]

17. What is Pica?

[xultar]

28. Lets just say I have strange cravings. Right now

Asprin...I won't tell you the others.

[bicentennial_baby]

32. Mine's ice cubes

Pica...fun times with anemia!! :P

[CaliforniaPeggy]

18. For all of you asking about the European restrictions...

I no longer remember the exact travel restrictions, but...they go something like this:

And these are cumulative time totals, BTW...

If you've been to England for a total of 3 months or more, then you can't give blood EVER...until/unless they find out how mad cow disease is transmitted...

And for Europe, the limit is 6 months...I think...cumulative totals, again...

Since we don't know how the disease is transmitted, and we have NO cure as yet, or even a test to detect it...

We cannot be too careful...Would any of you want blood that could possibly kill you? Of course not...

If anyone wants better details, let me know...I still have friends who work in my local Red Cross office, and I can find out from them...

[Hugin]

23. Here's some guidelines...

TRAVEL and RESIDENCY OUTSIDE of the UNITED STATES

England/United Kingdom - visited or lived in from 1980 to 1999: deferred indefinitely (this standard varies between United States FDA and The American Red Cross and the American Association of Blood Banks.
Western Europe - visited or lived in since 1980 deferred indefinitely
Born in, lived in or had sex with anyone who lived in, or received Blood products in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Niger or Nigeria since 1977 (this list changes frequently; updates are very important): deferral indefinitely.
Lived or traveled in an area where Malaria is prevalent (Central America and South America, etc.): three-year deferral,
Other international travelers: different restrictions apply as precaution against mad cow disease, depending on what blood bank and region

From here...

http://www.bloodbook.com/donr-requir.html

[CaliforniaPeggy]

26. Thanks, prag..

Great resource you have there!

:hi:

[no name no slogan]

37. That's why I can't donate

I lived in the UK for seven months in 1991 & 1992. I also ate British Beef. I'm probably a ticking timebomb with my luck.

[xmas74]

20. Get it tested.

It doesn't take very long and might not be very hard to correct(diet, supplements).

[Not Me]

34. And of course, gay men can't...

even though this regulation dates back to Reagan days when there wasn't an effective way to test for hiv. Now, every pint of blood donated is tested 3x for hiv, and can be removed before it ever hits the system.

[CitrusLib]

35. That bugs me.

If I were in an accident, I'd want my Uncle Scott's blood (uncle by marriage - mine not his, that's still against the law :eyes: ). Now that's one cool dude and I'd be proud to have his blood in my veins for awhile.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

36. Welcome to the club...

My iron was too low when I went to donate, too. Make sure you eat spinach or some other high-iron food before you donate next time. :hi: