I'm giving blood tomorrow but I'm worried about being defferred for iron levels. Is there any way to guess if my iron levels are high enough without getting tested tomorrow? I'm not a vegetarian or anything, but then again I don't check foods for iron to make sure I'm eating it either.
2006-11-04 23:44:22 · 5 answers · asked by Chris 3 in Health ➔ Other - Health
Thanks everyone so far. I just thought of some other questions: I drink a lot of soda, could that effect iron levels? I know that they tell you to keep away from caffeine before giving blood. And also, the iron supplements I have are 361% the Daily Value. Is this bad, because I heard that they turn you away for too low and too high levels.
2006-11-04 23:48:37 · update #1
OH NO...You too !!!! I get defferred all the time for the same reason. I just boosted my iron to a very heatlhy level simply by taking iron pills with Vitamin C for easier processing.
Not sure how quick it works, but it did for me within a week.
Even if it's not good for this donation, you'll be good for the next one.
BTW, my dad's life was saved because of people who donated blood.
It really is a worthy cause.
2006-11-04 23:49:28 · answer #1 · answered by BIZ Z 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Rough indicators are your finger nail beds...are they a nice pink or white?...White indicates low blood iron or actually hypochromia...there are blood cells with insufficient iron ( hemoglobulin). The inside of your eye lids are also a rough indicator...pale...means insufficient iron. When they screen for blood, they do check the hemoglobin level or the hematocrit...the percentage of red blood cells in a volume of blood...ask for both results if you are rejected...it is useful information to you. Iron is contained in many foods but some are more rich than others. Liver is especially good but so are green leafy vegetables (not lettuce)...spinach, kale, mustard greens, swiss chard, bok choi, etc. The use of iron in the body is potentiated by vitamins, especially vitamin C, so to improve your general health you might include a multi-vitamin/mineral supplement...follow directions on the package unless directed to do otherwise by a health professional...overdoses of Vitamin A can cause poisoning too.
Hemoglobin is a red pigment in red blood cells that can bind with oxygen and is largely responsible for the blood's oxygen-carrying capacity. Hemoglobin is composed of four polypeptide chains, two alpha and two beta chains. Women normally have a lower hemoglobin level than men because of menses.
2006-11-05 00:04:02 · answer #2 · answered by Frank 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you were not getting enough iron you wouldnt feel well- sluggish, lethargic, etc... Green foods, red meat, eggs, etc, are good sources. You are probably fine and if not, take an iron supplement.
2006-11-04 23:46:47 · answer #3 · answered by nycgirl2003 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yeah, that happened to me. i tried to give blood and my iron was low. you can take iron supplements but, geez, be careful. don't take too much. yes, you can take too much. be sure to eat breakfast tomorrow. eat some eggs or something. low iron-you would be tired and sluggish all the time.
2006-11-04 23:54:24 · answer #4 · answered by practicalwizard 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
well one of the warning signs are feeling tired.if you are tested anemia.doctor will ask do you have blood in your stools or urine are have black tarlike stools if you have these problems it causes light headedness,weakness,shortness of breath severe abdominal pain doctor will ask are you dizzy when you stand up or when you exert yourself.also ringing in the ears.so eat foods that are good sources of iron.
2006-11-05 00:47:27 · answer #5 · answered by annjilena 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋