Do Something Amazing- Give Blood

freakyogre

I went to give blood this afternoon, but wasn't allowed to as my iron levels are low

They said to mention it to my doctor when i'm next there. I did go to the doctors a few months ago as was feeling quite dizzy and he said I had low blood pressure so i'm guessing they're possibly related.

I was told i'm not allowed to donate now until they write to me, but didn't say how long it would be. Does anyone know? I feel like a bit of a failure as have only managed to donate once!

Edit...i've received a letter from them today with a copy to give to my doctor. They are recommending I don't donate for 12 months unless my doctor says otherwise I've got an appointment with my doctor in a couple of weeks, so will see what they think.

Rikki

:j Another pint of the much needed red stuff donated today.


I hope many of you are still giving too.

Rikki

Just had my letter though. They want another pint from me next week.

I hope all the other donors on this thread are still giving plenty of pints of the red stuff.

torbrex

Sadly I am still not allowed to donate until my diabetes meds settle down again

Blue_Elephant

Just wondered what you would do. I would love to give blood, and I tried 10 years ago. I was filluing in the form when they did the iron/copper sulphate test and it turned out my iron count wasn't high enough. Fair enough really.

However on looking through the form it also turned out that due to being a bit silly in my youth, it meant I was never allowed to give blood.

I had multiple tests or transferable diseases, and they were all clear, but the form still says "Never".

So do I a) simply accept that I can't, or b) lie. Both of these options leave me cold :S

xbrenx

Blue_Elephant wrote: »

Just wondered what you would do. I would love to give blood, and I tried 10 years ago. I was filluing in the form when they did the iron/copper sulphate test and it turned out my iron count wasn't high enough. Fair enough really.

However on looking through the form it also turned out that due to being a bit silly in my youth, it meant I was never allowed to give blood.

I had multiple tests or transferable diseases, and they were all clear, but the form still says "Never".

So do I a) simply accept that I can't, or b) lie. Both of these options leave me cold :S

Much as it pains me to say it, I would go with a.
Of course, you could phone them, to have a confidential chat to discuss your options.

Blue_Elephant

xbrenx wrote: »

Much as it pains me to say it, I would go with a.
Of course, you could phone them, to have a confidential chat to discuss your options.

Yeah that Might be an idea, Cheers. (and apologies for the odd typos, half asleep today!)

NicolacM

I started giving blood once I turned 17 but a couple of times they couldn't get enough blood out of me (lol) and then they had problems getting veins etc so they advised me to wait 10 years! before I came back as they said something about if you get so many failures that's you.. I have since found out I'm anemic so they probably would have stopped taking my blood anyway. I really admire people who give blood regularly it's so a wonderful thing to do and as soon as ten years have passed I know i'm going to try again.

edda

The qualifications for giving blood changed on 7th November, so it might be worth checking for those who want to donate but couldn't in the past.

See here:

http://www.nursingtimes.net/nursing-practice/clinical-specialisms/haematology/gay-men-blood-donor-ban-lifted/5037584.article

and

http://www.blood.co.uk/can-i-give-blood/

jackieb

edda wrote: »

The qualifications for giving blood changed on 7th November, so it might be worth checking for those who want to donate but couldn't in the past.

See here:

http://www.nursingtimes.net/nursing-practice/clinical-specialisms/haematology/gay-men-blood-donor-ban-lifted/5037584.article

and

http://www.blood.co.uk/can-i-give-blood/

Looking at that i'm still not allowed to give. I've had transfusions in 1986 and 1995. I've given blood since then but then they stopped allowing people who'd had transfusions since 1980.