to think that with diet changes I can increase my blood iron level enough in two weeks so I can donate blood?

[CliffordClaveland]

The last 2 times my iron level was not high enough and there's a '3 strikes and you're out policy' so my appointment in 2 weeks is my last chance.
What do I need to consume to boost my Iron levels?
I am taking regular multi-vitamins which include iron (bog-standard vitamins from Sainsburys)
My level(28) is not low enough to require seeing a doctor (32 I think).
Any suggestions appreciated cos' I feel good every time I give blood.
Thanks

The levels used to be 120 and 130 respectively, I think, it changed around 10 years ago or so. I can't remember why, though.

Do you eat a lot of dairy too? It would be worth cutting back because it's full of calories but very low in iron (which is why vegetarians are more likely to be anaemic than vegans).

I took double the RDA of iron and it took me five months. I was also only just below the cut-off. Could you get your iron tested at your GP surgery first? Or you can get tests by post.

hmmm, I'm not sure the GP will want to do a blood test on me when my iron levels are not low.
I guess I could lie and say I'm feeling rundown. Does a GP blood test give an accurate figure?

You can get a private iron test (home kit) through Superdrug online I think it's about £25 though iirc. I'm on Ferrograd C which I got OTC but not sure yet if it's working.

I once failed the iron test which was done by pricking my finger. I went to my doctor who tested my iron level and told that for my age and sex my iron levels were super normal. Years later while seeing a consultant I was told my iron levels were higher than his. Might be worth seeing your GP.

My dmnwasctold to eat dried apricots when her iron was low

I would consider postponing so that hopefully you can give sooner than if you received a short term ban. If you postponed it to the next collection date (I'm not sure how these work) how long would you have to wait compared to a ban? How is your blood tested for low iron and does it mean you give the donation and it's then wasted like other tests? I think this would influence my decision but I probably wouldn't risk the temporary ban unless the wait for next donation is longer.

I can't give blood as I have received it (at 10 days old) and while I'm very sad I can't give back I'm very grateful for people like you (you clearly really want to give blood) but definitely take care of your own health first.

What they are testing for is the amount of haemoglobin (Hb) in your red blood cells (RBCs). RBCs have a life cycle of around three months, and that means even if you eat loads of iron over the next two weeks, only 1/6 of your RBCs will be affected. So I don’t think you’d likely get up to the required range I’m afraid 😟

Do you know that you actually are iron deficient or have they just given you Hb values? There are plenty of other causes of low Hb and iron deficiency isn’t so common in men as in women. If you are iron deficient and not a veggie then that probably needs investigating before you think about donating blood again.

hmmm, I'm not sure the GP will want to do a blood test on me when my iron levels are not low.
I guess I could lie and say I'm feeling rundown. Does a GP blood test give an accurate figure?
You don't need to lie, just say it like you said above. And a gp will well be able to give you an accurate test result

You can be within normal levels, but still below the threshold for blood donation - they set the threshold higher, because giving blood will reduce the levels. If you get a level that's under normal levels, they do refer you to your GP. They are meant to give you a leaflet with your reading if it's not high enough, and that also contains dietary advice, about foods high in iron.

I'd be surprised if you can get it high enough in two weeks. I've been working on it since my last donation, because that was just under the threshold. My next donation will be my 50th, so I am really keen for my blood to do its thing in the copper sulphate solution, so I can give a full donation. So red meat, leafy green vegetables, etc, vit C to help absorption.

@EBearhug
How long realistically do you think I'd need to get from 128 to 135?

120 for women? Last blood test I had, I was told my iron levels were 2!!

It takes 90 days to make new red blood cells if I remember correctly.

How long realistically do you think I'd need to get from 128 to 135?

I don't know. I'm not an expert, and I'm not a man. I just know mine take ages, and I have heavy periods, which doesn't help at all - so your situation could be very different. But you need to see your GP or a nutritionist to get a better idea.

Last time I tried to give blood I was rejected and told my haemoglobin level was 108. Banished for a year. Went to GP who tested and said 128. Apparently pin prick test is relatively unreliable. When I can be bothered I'm going to get a letter from GP and lodge an appeal. When I can be bothered.
I'm sure your GP would test you if you said you'd been repeatedly turned away from donation

Yes it takes three months to make red blood cells.

It’s not going to happen overnight. Then I guess to give blood you need to be quite a bit above normal?

I take spa tone and they just about keep me in the normal range. I’m prone to anemia. I can’t ever give blood.

It is really nice you want to do this. I’ve accepted I just can’t. I think many women are deficient in iron and giving blood just can’t work for them unfortunately.

@CliffordClaveland - are you talking about haemoglobin (should be above 130 grams/L), iron (should be above 12 micromoles/L) or ferritin (should be above 30 micrograms/L)? Not sure why anybody would be measuring serum iron, though.

People are comparing numbers but not stating units, so you're not necessarily talking about the same measurement.

It will take longer than 2 weeks. Each time I've been anaemic I've had a 3 month course of iron tablets and been told not to expect much improvement until the tablets were finished.
Try floradix plus a vitamin c tablet.

I can't see it happening in 2 weeks. You might need to find some other way to help yourself feel good. Maybe worth considering why your iron levels are on the low side too - perhaps not absorbing it, but why not? Putting that right will do more for you iron levels over the long term.

@NoNotHimTheOtherOne
I'm fairly sure it's haemoglobin, my level is 128 and needs to be 135, I believe.
They do a pin prick and drop it in some liquid and if it sinks you're ok. If not they do another pin prick and measure using some electronic device which gives a numerical reading.
I'll probably ask my GP if I can get a blood test and defer my appointment for a few months.

Oh bloody hell

I didn’t know it was 3 strikes and out - been turned away twice now

I also didn’t know iron supplements need to be taken well away from dairy - been having mine after dinner which often involves dairy!

Damn

Last time I was there after two strikes, they said I'd be deferred for a year if I failed for a third time, but that time I passed. I can't remember if my next one is 2nd or 3rd on the current run.