A double red donation done every 16 weeks historically has taken my crit from a high of 51-52 down to 44-45 as measured with labs. Is there any danger in throwing in a single whole blood donation midway between the 16 week double red donation? Basically I would wait 8 weeks after a double red donation and go give a pint. I have a couple donation centers I use as they won't do this protocol at the same center. Not sure why but the proposed schedule of double red and a pint in between still falls below the maximum volume allowed by most places in a 12 month period. Forgot what that number was it was a certain volume per your they suggest you not exceed. Thanks everyone!
Blood donation frequency and protocol
- Thread starter PATRT
- Start date
I'm around 48 crit at 8 weeks after a double red. Besides if the iron is too low they won't take my blood anyway. Just trying to level things off. Maybe just a pint every 8 weeks but they beg me for double red when my iron is so high. I can always pop into the one center and they will check it for free. I really just want to know if that extra donation between the double red would be ok? Thanks.
Mprtz
New member
Iron is complicated... you can have normal serum iron levels but exhaust the iron stored in your body tissues (in the form of ferritin) by donating blood frequently. How big a problem this is is subject to debate.
All they test at the blood center is hemoglobin - that can stay normal (or even high on testosterone) even as ferritin levels drop to really low levels.
Also, don't you have to lie on the interview when you donate at more than one location?
All they test at the blood center is hemoglobin - that can stay normal (or even high on testosterone) even as ferritin levels drop to really low levels.
Also, don't you have to lie on the interview when you donate at more than one location?
Actually one center measures hemoglobin the other measures crit. I'm just trying to understand if it's dangerous. They said less blood volume was taken in double red cell donations so I didn't think one extra pint of whole blood 3 times a year was going to kill me, just would help keep my crit more stable than double red alone every 16 weeks.
Mprtz
New member
Because they are closely related, hemoglobin and hematocrit are often used almost interchangeably (with 3 to 1 calculation)
The loss of blood volume isn't dangerous... but you will be losing iron at a rate that you're not likely to be able to make up with diet.
A better idea would be to donate platelets (if you are able). Platelet apheresis lowers hematocrit but doesn't remove as much iron from your body.
I thought platelet donation returns all your rbc's so how does that help?
Mprtz
New member
It does in principle, but in reality a percentage of RBCs are damaged by the pumping process and they burst and release their contents into the bloodstream. The iron is (at least partially) reabsorbed in the liver. The process is hemolysis and it occurs naturally and continually as RBCs age... apheresis increases it.
Most experience a comparable drop in HCT from apheresis as from a whole blood donation.
Very interesting, appreciate the insight I'll give it a try and get labs pre/post. Thanks!
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