I have been giving blood regularly for years (since 1978, to be exact). I have a rare blood type, so they are always calling me. I am in good health, and have never had a problem before.

I went to give blood today, and everything was good; blood pressure, pulse, temp. However, when they went to "spin" my blood to test the hematocrit, it was 35, and you need to be at least 38 to give blood. I guess it has something to do with the number of red cells in your blood, and how tightly packed they are. I was deferred because I am slightly anemic, by their standards. The nurse said that if I gave, it could weaken me.

I was alarmed, as this has never happened before. I used to have blood so high in iron that my doctor used to joke with me about walking past magnets! Even when I was pregnant, my Hmcrt was always at least 40. And that was in the days when I had regular periods. I haven't had a period in five years!

I asked her if I should call the doctor, and she said that it wasn't a reason to panic, but that I needed to eat more iron-rich foods. I used to take a multivitamin, and I stopped. I don't know why. I am also a vegetarian, so that could have an effect, too, although I haven't eaten meat since 1992.

I felt badly because blood is in such short supply in the summer. I bought some multivitamins tonight. I'm going to start back on them, and try to do better about eating spinach and other green veggies.

By Karen~admin on Friday, August 25, 2006 - 07:21 am:

It's common practice to reject you if you're anemic. I have never been able to give blood for that reason, I am ALWAYS anemic.

By Reds9298 on Friday, August 25, 2006 - 08:53 am:

I gave blood a few times successfully, then tried several more times, but my blood pressure is so low that no matter how much I flip my feet and legs around, it still takes longer than 20min. for me to give my donation. They can't use the blood after 20min., so it was always a waste of my time. I stopped going altogether, but it bums me because I wanted to give blood.

By Marcia on Friday, August 25, 2006 - 09:44 am:

Hol, what about donating platelets? They're also in high demand.

By Tayjar on Friday, August 25, 2006 - 10:20 am:

This happens to me quite frequently if I don't take iron supplements. Also, did you know tea washes the iron out of your body? That's what they told me last time. You aren't supposed to drink tea for 3 days before you give blood. Now when I know I'm going to give, I stop drinking tea, make sure I take my iron tabs, and eat iron rich foods before hand.

By Luvn29 on Friday, August 25, 2006 - 10:32 am:

I've always wanted to give blood, but I can't for two reasons. One, being my health. With me having an "unknown" disease of some kind, they don't want my blood! LOL! Can you blame them? Also, I've had an immunogloblin transfusion, so I was told I couldn't.

My husband donates regularly, though, and was asked last time if his wife donates anywhere, and he laughed and said "You don't want her blood!"

By Mommmie on Friday, August 25, 2006 - 11:39 am:

I have been rejected for the same thing so many times I don't even try to donate anymore.

By Hol on Friday, August 25, 2006 - 12:12 pm:

Karen - I went online to do some research on my own, and it said that RA can cause anemia. Since my "mystery" symptoms have been getting worse, that could be the reason. The last time I gave was January, and I was borderline then.

Marcia - I have given platelets, too, but I guess that's the problem when you are anemic. The blood isn't as sticky, so it doesn't have sufficient platelets either.

Dora - I just read that yesterday about tea! I knew that tea can bind CALCIUM and carry it out of the body, making you prone to osteoporosis. I guess it binds iron, too. (I drink iced tea all the time). I also take thyroid medication which can interfere with calcium and iron.

I was just surprised and upset. When my Dad was going through chemo, years ago, he needed a lot of blood. I like to feel that I helped save or prolong someone's life.

By Cybermommyx4 on Friday, August 25, 2006 - 02:08 pm:

Wow! This has happened to me the last two times I have gone to donate blood ---I fail the first iron test, and they go to spin it and I am "just barely over the borderline"....I couldn't figure it out, as I eat red meat and also only have a period once every 3 months...but I drink tea ALL the time! I wonder if that's why.....

By Karen~admin on Friday, August 25, 2006 - 06:39 pm:

Hol, I had no idea about that! Wow. I have been anemic my entire life.

I am seeing my doc in Sept., and I'm going to ask him to re-order those tests again.

By Hol on Saturday, August 26, 2006 - 02:56 am:

Karen - Besides the RA factor (which by the way, only comes up positive in 75% of people who ARE positive); ask for a test for C-reactive protein. That is a good indicator for inflammation.

By Karen~admin on Saturday, August 26, 2006 - 09:19 am:

Thanks for the info. I usually make notes when I see this particular dr. I'm adding that to my notes.