Wouldn't let me give blood due to low haemoglobin...!

[ShinyHappyPeopleHoldingHands]

..has this happened to anyone else?

The finger prick test indicated I needed to have the further check where they take it out of your arm. They then told me I couldn't donate today.. my level was 119 and I think she said the cut-off was 126..

I have been giving blood for years and this hasn't happened before. Once before I had to have the second test but was still allowed to donate.

The nurse told me I would get a letter through the post saying when I could attend another session.. but the leaflet I have been given suggests that if you were told a letter would be coming, your blood gets further analysed in the lab. Eeeek!! What's likely to be the matter with me then???

Health bods.. is that level really low???

[lovelymoo]

happens to me all the time nothing to worry about just means you could be low on iron or lacking something in your diet- next time you go it could be higher. I was worried teh first time but now used to it, diff bloodgroups vary

[Saggarmakersbottomknocker]

I haven't been able to donate a couple of times in the past for the same reasons. Once the levels were very low and the doctor at the session was quite shocked that I still felt well.

I think I got a letter which I took to the doctors. It had the full blood details and I was given iron tablets. I have pretty heavy periods so it was put down to that. I still get anaemic occasionally.

[thirtysomething]

doesn't sound massively low, they just like you to have tip-top iron levels so you won't suffer adverse effects from donating a pint. If your iron levels are normal but not at the mid or high end of the normal scale, they probably don't take the risk as donating blood could then make you anemic. It's worth going to the GP to test for anemia - it's very common and most women get it at some point, so shouldn't be anything to worry about but it's always worth getting checked. I had a similar experience, had no idea I was anemic and just took iron tablets for a year once I found out.

[twinklingstar]

Yes, ShinyHappyPeopleHoldingHands, it happened to me. I wasn't aware of being unwell but the anaemia turned out to be due to an overactive thyroid and I needed treatment for that. I felt so WELL too, lol

They took a blood sample at the session and said they would forward the results to my GP and for me to go and see him to discuss the results.

If you have heavy periods, anaemia can kinda sneak up on you unawares, and it may be a while before you feel tired/drained.

BTW, you may be fine as you are, lowish end of the normal range or something, but I think they take into account that if you donate, it might tip your balance so you don't have enough iron for your own needs, and like thirtysomething says, you just need a bit of a top up before you can go back to donating.

[ShinyHappyPeopleHoldingHands]

Thank you

Does anyone medical have any knowledge of how low my 'low score' actually is? My best friend is always being told she is too low to donate and she has just told me that once hers was 111... but then she is a vegetarian who doesn't eat the things she should to replace meat. I eat meat!

In the last year, I have had some episodes.. a few days at a time.. of eating hardly anything because I have been very stressed and anxious.. but I gave blood in Sept with no problems and have been eating properly in last month or two.. although of course my diet could be healthier..

I am also routinely drained and knackered because I have a non-sleeping child.. but that's been going for years! (He is 6!)

[ShinyHappyPeopleHoldingHands]

I found some info on the net which seems to state (in more than one place) that for women, the normal range for haemoglobin levels is anything from 110-115 g/l to 160 g/l so I am hoping, with a level of 119, I don't need to worry too much? I read some scary stuff (bloody internet) that says that (actual) anaemia is most often caused by bleeding somewhere (when not pg related) and that you can be bleeding and not know it because it can be mixed in the stools and urine!

(I do get stressed about medical issues .. always have to have something to worry about)

[belgo]

I'm not allowed to give blood in Belgium, where I live, due to the BSE fears. Well, their loss isn't it?

[ShinyHappyPeopleHoldingHands]

That's unbelievable Califrau!!

[ShinyHappyPeopleHoldingHands]

They won't take it off parents and give directly to their own babies Califrau.. I am OdNeg so mine is also used for babies.. but when DS2 needed it when he was in neonatal ICU they wouldn't let it come from me..

So should I not worry about this heamoglobin thing, anyone?? I should be getting a letter about it anyway...

[catinthehat]

I think the cut off was raised in the last year or so - used to be 120 I think. Had this discussion a few sessions ago with the lady who jabs your finger. So you would have been OK if you generally float around 120. I wouldn't worry,

[suedonim]

I've never given blood because I always failed the test. I juust used to trot off to the doc for a proper test and take a course of iron. It's probably due to blood loss with your periods and is very common, SHPHH.

Califrau, ds1 can never give blood in the US. He's O-Neg so his blood could be v useful. What's babygrade blood?

[ShinyHappyPeopleHoldingHands]

I got my letter today.. it's just said that my blood was in the normal range but slightly too low to donate so come back in 3 months

That's ok then! Must find something new to worry about! Am improving my diet anyway..

[ShinyHappyPeopleHoldingHands]

I got my letter today.. it's just said that my blood was in the normal range but slightly too low to donate so come back in 3 months

That's ok then! Must find something new to worry about! Am improving my diet anyway..