To LAI: experience about self blood donation?

[Guest guest]

Hi, Lai:

I'm sorry to hear about your unpleasant experience, after giving blood.

Trust me--you will not be the first, nor you will not be the last

person--anemic or otherwise-- to feel dizzy and weak after donating blood.

You reported your " iron " as being low at 11.6.

I *think* you meant to write your " hemoglobin " (not iron) was 11.6, no?

" Iron " , strictly speaking, would be measured by the " serum iron " test.

Hemoglobin ( " Hgb " )--helps detect iron deficiency in the blood--but it is NOT

IRON--it is a protein found in our red blood cells. Hgb actually contains

iron and binds itself to oxygen (in the lungs) It then transports oxygen

throughout the body, via the capillaries. BTW, Our blood gets its color from

the

iron found in the hemoglobin.

And the 11.6 reading would be the concentration of hemoglobin in one liter of

your blood.

If this is the case, Lai, then, it seems that you are only borderline anemic,

not particularly worrisome.

Actually, my lab has as its lowest limit for hgb as being 11.5. So, you'd be

considered " normal " , albeit on the low side of normal, at my lab.

Therefore, unless you get viciously mauled by a saber tooth tiger, in the

days between now and the date of your surgery, Lai--I think you're in pretty

decent shape, hematologically speaking!!!

In my lay opinion, the weakness, faintness and dizziness you experienced

after giving blood was due to the SUDDEN CHANGE IN BLOOD VOLUME, rather than

severe iron deficiency. About 60% of our blood is made of plasma (which is,

mostly water).

The unit that was removed was probably about 400-450 ccs.of blood.

It's certainly true that iron deficiency can cause weakness and fatigue (due

to low Hct) with compromised oxygen delivery.

But my feeling, given your hgb, is that YOUR reaction (not terribly

uncommon) was in response to a sudden change of blood volume.

A few years back, one husky 30-something macho guy at a work FAINTED after

giving blood at a companywide blood drive! He recovered well with some orange

juice--and he DID NOT suffer from iron deficiency at the time......just a bad

case of post-fainting embarrassment!! (exacerbated by non-stop fellow employee

teasing!)

Ladies of the List--we can all learn from Lai's experience and if donating

blood, REMEMBER to drink plenty of fluids the days BEFORE and for two days

after giving blood. And avoid engaging in strenuous activities.

While in the hospital, Lai, you needn't worry --you should be carefully

monitored and even if you experience dizziness due to fluid imbalance, it can

easily be rectified with IV hydration.

I'm hopeful that you won't have to have a transfusion--but, even in the worst

case scenario, you are prepared.

BTW, it's not a bad idea to drink plenty of fluids-- in the days BEFORE

your surgery, as well.

All good wishes to you on your upcoming myo,

Roma

In a message dated 5/5/2004 7:57:28 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

lwong9764@... writes:

I don't like to take those pills but my body tells me that I cannot go into

surgery like this.

Does it mean if I just lose one unit of blood in the surgery, I will feel dizzy

and need blood transfusion? I have to boost up my iron in two weeks. Anyone

have similar experience after blood donation?