Blood donation and Hemoglobin / Iron levels

[AverageMan]

I just had bloods done last week and was told my RBC is 5.54. Doc says RBC is getting close to the danger zone (5.56) and to donate blood. While at the Red Cross today, they checked my hemoglobin and found it to be 14.2. The phlebotomist originally told me me that 14.2 is my "iron level". After checking on the red cross website, it states that "iron is not checked, only hemoglobin"

In looking at normal hemoglobin levels - they are 13.8-17.2 g/dl. This puts at the lower side of normal.

In doing further research, it appears that hemoglobin = the amount of iron in red blood cells. Would I conclude that my Iron is a little on the low side and need to look into iron supplements / eat more red meat? Is this correct?

 

[halfwit]

I just had bloods done last week and was told my RBC is 5.54. Doc says RBC is getting close to the danger zone (5.56) and to donate blood. While at the Red Cross today, they checked my hemoglobin and found it to be 14.2. The phlebotomist originally told me me that 14.2 is my "iron level". After checking on the red cross website, it states that "iron is not checked, only hemoglobin"

In looking at normal hemoglobin levels - they are 13.8-17.2 g/dl. This puts at the lower side of normal.

In doing further research, it appears that hemoglobin = the amount of iron in red blood cells. Would I conclude that my Iron is a little on the low side and need to look into iron supplements / eat more red meat? Is this correct?

Hemoglobin is actually representative of the part of the red blood cell that transports oxygen through the blood. It contains iron, but isn't really indicative of your actual iron stores - you need a blood test for that. There is a relationship between the two, just as hematocrit is roughly 3x your hemoglobin, and represents the percentage of blood solids in your blood.

I would be surprised if you need to supplement iron, unless your diet is really poor. Some guys do notice that their ferritin does decrease over time (reserves of iron) from constant donations though. If this is of concern for you, ask your doc to order a test to find out for sure.

My .02c

 

[AverageMan]

Hemoglobin is actually representative of the part of the red blood cell that transports oxygen through the blood. It contains iron, but isn't really indicative of your actual iron stores - you need a blood test for that. There is a relationship between the two, just as hematocrit is roughly 3x your hemoglobin, and represents the percentage of blood solids in your blood.

I would be surprised if you need to supplement iron, unless your diet is really poor. Some guys do notice that their ferritin does decrease over time (reserves of iron) from constant donations though. If this is of concern for you, ask your doc to order a test to find out for sure.

My .02c

Thanks for the explanation. As always, I learned something new when reading your posts.

So what would low hemoglobin indicate? and how would I correct?

BTW - I've been a frequent Red Cross donor for many years (15-20)

 

[halfwit]

Thanks for the explanation. As always, I learned something new when reading your posts.

So what would low hemoglobin indicate? and how would I correct?

BTW - I've been a frequent Red Cross donor for many years (15-20)

A potential lack of B12 or maybe even vitamin D. Or if you have elevated liver enzymes with a very low hemoglobin, there may be issues with your liver destroying and mass producing red blood cells too quickly. Folks that have had their spleen removed also tend to have issues with platelet/RBC counts and physiology.

 

[Fred87]

Hemoglobin (Hb) is a protein that is found in red cells and its able to carry oxygen
Its very common that the hemoglobin goes a little bit down with no considerable issues.
If there is a pathologic lack of Hb or red cells then its anaemia, your body isnt able to produce enough red cells or it destroys them more than needed (the spleen also helps destroying rbcs, thats why you get some issues if you get it removed or when it goes nuts).
The most common causes of anemia are: lack of iron, lack of B12, serious bleeding, liver issues, renal issues, thyroid issues, genetic disorders, leucemia.

I doubt you are anemic, your levels are just slightly below normal, probably theres nothing wrong at all and its just temporary (your hydration can also fuck up the test a bit)
Do you feel anything like shortned breath, fatigue, sped up hearbeat?

 

[AverageMan]

Thanks Fred and Halfwit for the input. I have a normal - lowish resting heartbeat. Also, my whole life BP has been on the low-ish side of normal. Every time I go to the dr office they check BP and the nurse always says "wow, BP is great"..

Don't have shortness of breath. Sure, I could use more energy (fatigue). I guess it's a byproduct of getting old (will be 40 in less than a year).

Do you have any recommendations on B12 / Iron supplements? Can't hurt to give it a shot.

BTW - I still have my spleen.

 

[Fred87]

Thanks Fred and Halfwit for the input. I have a normal - lowish resting heartbeat. Also, my whole life BP has been on the low-ish side of normal. Every time I go to the dr office they check BP and the nurse always says "wow, BP is great"..

Don't have shortness of breath. Sure, I could use more energy (fatigue). I guess it's a byproduct of getting old (will be 40 in less than a year).

Do you have any recommendations on B12 / Iron supplements? Can't hurt to give it a shot.

BTW - I still have my spleen.

I dont think you've got anything wrong but to be sure try asking your doctor and check your iron levels before you take anything