Donated Blood..Don't Wait too long

[Billy Batts]

I just donated blood 10 minutes ago. My advice is dont wait as long as I did (its been years) cause I almost was denied.The near denial was based on my iron was too high.My iron was 24. Twenty is the cut off. I requested a second test which came back 19.7.lol.They looked at me and asked me if my doctor wanted me to donate.lol. I said nope...lol. Luckily I was able to donate

 

[rated_rko]

Why is high iron an issue to donate? Some guys have naturally higher iron level when there young

 

[Billy Batts]

Why is high iron an issue to donate? Some guys have naturally higher iron level when there young

Thats a good question,I know for some of the population it can be a marker for a health issue but how this relates to donating blood im not sure. Im sure someone on Meso has that answer.

 

[jonkobeck]

If your Iron is 24 its low, not high. Normal serum iron is 60 to 170.
Are you referring to your hemoglobin? The normal hemoglobin range is generally defined as 13.5 to 17.5 grams
I don't believe blood banks can even measure iron.

 

[combover]

They do measure iron, just donated the other day.
They told me the app would update with my blood type and such. Hasn't happened yet. I'm worried they tested my blood or something and aren't gonna use and ban me. Hopefully not and all is good.

 

[jonkobeck]

Nope. No way, thats not iron, it hemoglobin.Did you go to the Red Cross? Blood banks only measure hemoglobin or hematocrit. Im sure someone else will chime in and confirm.

 

[jonkobeck]

Google the normal range for iron and you will realize that number is not in line with an iron test, unless your anemic

 

[combover]

I'm not knowledgeable but will share my experience.

Went to red Cross. Part of the thing to see if I could donate was BP, temp and iron. He pricked my finger, scooped it up in a plastic vial thing then said my iron was good.

 

[jonkobeck]

From the Red Cross website:
"The Red Cross does not measure iron levels before blood donation. You canhave a normal hemoglobin level and be accepted for blood donation, but still have a low iron level"
Iron Information for All Blood Donors | American Red Cross
http://www.redcrossblood.org/learn-about-blood/iron-and-blood.../iron-info-all-donors

The people who work in those blood banks always say they are checking iron. I love explaining to them that they are not measuring my iron, rather its my hemoglobin. When I do they just give me the deer in the headlights look. The only thing they really know how to do is stick a needle in a vein, and sometimes not even that.

 

[combover]

Lol, well I'm glad to hear my hemoglobin was good then. Thanks for the info

 

[MisterSuperGod]

They do measure iron, just donated the other day.
They told me the app would update with my blood type and such. Hasn't happened yet. I'm worried they tested my blood or something and aren't gonna use and ban me. Hopefully not and all is good.

What app would update where?

i was a little worried too after donating.
Was waiting and waiting for my donor card in the mail and got two (missed) calls from Red Cross in the meantime.

Was shitting a brick thinking my ex gave me cooties or something and they found it and were calling to warn me.

Turns out they wanted to thank me for my donation and my donor card showed up a couple days ago.

 

[combover]

What app would update where?

Red Cross has an app called 'blood donor'. You can find locations, set appts, see how much you've donated, follow your last donation and see blood details.
They told me 24-36 hours to update the app with info. Been longer than that and no update