aloha.today i went to donate my blood,but i was not allowed to give coz low hemoglobin.?

Question

i have donate blood last semester once . there is no prob. but today they said no.can anyone explain me why this happen. my hemoglobin reading was 9.8.thanks

Answer 1

Hi. It is very generous for you to donate blood. The problem is that with your low hemoglobin, taking away more blood (and hemoglobin) would be hazardous for you.
This is quite a low reading. The most common cause in women is excess bleeding from periods and not enough iron in the diet.
The fact that you donated before would go against a hereditary anemia, which would have been present the last time.
Another cause is gastro-intestinal bleeding which often shows up as black colored stools.
At any rate, go to your doctor and get diagnosed and treated.
Once you are healthy again, I'm sure the blood bank will love to see you.

Answer 2

Some sources say normal hemoglobin (a measurement of iron in your blood) is 11.1 to 15.0. Some sources say 10.5 to 14.5. Some sources say 12.1 to 15.1!

If your hemoglobin is lower than normal, blood banks will not let you donate. A low hemoglobin may indicate a health problem or a disease. Even if 9.8 is "normal" for you, giving up your red cells by donating blood may make you feel ill.

Whichever source you use, a hemoglobin of 9.8 is considered low. However, this does not mean you are sick or that you have anemia. Hemoglobin taken using a fingerstick is usually lower than hemoglobin taken using a venipuncture (the vein in your arm) because blood does not always circulate in your fingers as well as in your arteries. Also, many young women have slightly low iron due to their menstrual cycles and diets.

Read about types and symptoms of anemia at http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/anemia/DS00321. If you are concerned about having low iron, you may want to see your physician.

Answer 3

I flunked too, once. The nurse told me I was anaemic (as you are) and to take some iron supplements, which I did, and still do. It is concerning that your levels are fluctuating, but you don't even say if you are a male or female, your age, or your general condition and diet. So if you take your iron supplement (cheap and easily obtained) for a month or so, and flunk your iron test again, best go to the doctor. You need to find out why your levels are low. It may not be your diet. Yes, anaemia will make you sluggish, and you may feel cold also. Haemoglobin is the red stuff in your blood that carries oxygen to your cells. Your brain and muscles are letting you know they are not able to breathe as much as they would like.

Answer 4

Maybe you need to take iron pills... ask your doctor. Some people are required to take iron specially during menstruation.... did you just have your period?