Blood donation

[neil_merseyside]

Went to donate this afternoon but my hemoglobin level was too low, annoying.
First time this has happened, I usually just scrape through.

How do you know you usually scrape through?
I've failed once so far, apparently because it was a hot day, seemingly lots that day failed (?) So when my CuSO4 drop test stalled, the follow up finger prick confirmed low blood reading (although within healthy spec) so too low for vampire. 4 fails is a doctors visit for proper investigation.

 

[PeteXXX]

My blood usually hovers around for a while, in the drop test, then sinks.
Last donation I had the prick test, as well, to make sure I was OK to donate, which I was.

I got my txt a few weeks ago to say that Walsall hospital was the recipient of my A+

 

[biggs682]

I need to restart donating again when the timing is right

 

[Yellow Fang]

I have donated 30+ times. I did not donate for about 10 years because I kept failing the haemoglobin test. Then I went to donate plasma during the Covid crisis, and they have a newish machine that tests haemoglobin. If you fail the test which they prick your finger and drop a drop of blood in the test tube full of green liquid, you can still pass the test where they put a drop of blood on a slide and put it under the gadget. I passed the gadget test easily. I am O- which means my blood can be given to most people in an emergency, although probably not outside the UK due to Mad Cow Disease.

 

[vickster]

I have donated 30+ times. I did not donate for about 10 years because I kept failing the haemoglobin test. Then I went to donate plasma during the Covid crisis, and they have a newish machine that tests haemoglobin. If you fail the test which they prick your finger and drop a drop of blood in the test tube full of green liquid, you can still pass the test where they put a drop of blood on a slide and put it under the gadget. I passed the gadget test easily. I am O- which means my blood can be given to most people in an emergency, although probably not outside the UK due to Mad Cow Disease.

Apparently the drop test is less reliable due to hand sanitiser which has to be used upon entering the facility.
I found out that I can get a paid afternoon off work to donate blood (we get time off for any volunteering type activity) so I’m now going early evening Thursday (instead of Sunday) and will cycle the very long way round to the donation centre a few miles away

 

[T4tomo]

I keep getting emails to book a session, that then appears not to exist when i log on.

oit ma be that slot availability is so low, that once the email triggers out enough people book v quickly that the session becomes full. happened twice in last 2 weeks, please book for . XX June ad then next availability at that centre is September??

 

[vickster]

I just book after my session for 4 months time, hasn't been a major issue but there are a fair few centres near here and the big one at St Georges isn't too far if needed

 

[GuyBoden]

Thanks for the reminder, I've just booked my next visit to the NHS vampire squad online here:
https://www.blood.co.uk

 

[Basil.B]

I failed both tests, my haemoglobin level was 131.
Has to be 135 or above to donate.

 

[bikingdad90]

I know how you feel @Basil.B. I got 132, 131 and 133 on the trot and got suspended for 9 months to let my levels recover. I’ve found I can do three donations, then a double gap followed by three more.

 

[Tenkaykev]

Over / under hydration can affect Hg levels according to my specialist. ( on one occasion I'd been for a long run shortly before heading to the hospital for a blood test )

 

[vickster]

Bag of A- given today. Scraped in with an hb of 125, the cut off!

 

[JtB]

I used to donate then the rules changed such that people who had received blood transfusions during a particular timeframe were unable to donate. I had a kidney removed in the 1990’s and unfortunately I was unable to ascertain if I had received blood or not during the operation.

 

[CharlieB]

Got to 51 donations, then hit age 60 and they stopped inviting me.
Why on earth is 60 too old?

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

I have tried to donate loads of times but no clots available in the vicinity

Then , about 6 months ago - a slot was there and I booked it

when along but apparently my 'blood levels' were too low

had to go to GP and get a blood test - which resulted in taking some tables for a few months

then nothing - no idea if the tablets have worked or not

will have to ring the GP and see if it is worth trying again