no donations
>a DMers eyes, heart, and kidneys would NOT be as good
>due to the probable damage.
Well, that makes sense. I’ve always been glad they won’t accept DMer
blood, because I absolutely HATE the idea of giving blood…and it’s nice
to have a medical excuse!
Laurie
November 30th, 2004 at 10:32 am
I frequently donate blood, and everytime (mostly
because it’s on the questionaire) I tell them directly
and certinaly. Yes, I have Type I diabetes. And
everytime the response is, that’s fine, we’ll just be
watching you a little closer and make extra sure you
get plenty of juice before and afterward.
Having dropped over 3 gallons since diagnosis I’m
inclined to agree with their policy… it’s never
effected me in the slightest…. well ONCE I was a bit
dizy after getting up, but I also insisted on jumping
off the table as soon as I was done (a dozen previous
donations without incident had gotten me a little
cocksure)
Which reminds me, thank you, I havn’t been to the blood
bank in well over 2 months, it’s time for me to visit
the vampires.
-Sara
December 1st, 2004 at 3:59 pm
<< Which reminds me, thank you, I havn’t been to the blood
bank in well over 2 months, it’s time for me to visit
the vampires.
>>
I was never sure on this either. If your blood sugar is up when you donate
dosent that affect the blood someone may be getting? How does that work?
Thanks Chrissy
December 2nd, 2004 at 3:11 am
A) When a patient receives one unit of blood, that
blood is effectively diluted into their blood stream
(which is going to contain far more than one unit of
blood otherwise they’d be dead already). And that high
would get dampened by that effect.
B) Short term highs really aren’t a terrible thing,
especially in comparison to being dead for lack of
blood.<RANT>THE SUPPLY OF BLOOD IN THIS COUNTRY IS
EMBARRASINGLY LOW! DONATE TODAY! IT MAY BE YOU TOMORROW!
</RANT>
Now, one thing they *DO* do with diabetics is that they
run a more accurate iron count (centrifuge as opposed
to seeing if a drop of blood sinks in that windex
stuff — if I recall correctly the minimum iron level
is also higher for diabetics as a precaution) and they
do a bg check. If you’re under 100md/dl (I think
that’s the threshold but don’t take that to the bank)
they’ll make you drink some juice and recheck until
you’re higher (some will refuse you outright).
Once, my iron level was too low, I hadn’t eaten red
meat in months (and very little of other kinds of meat
for that matter) nor had I had many baked potatos.
-Sara
December 2nd, 2004 at 7:01 am
According to American Red Cross criteria, the *only* thing that disqualifies
a diabetic from donating blood (i.e. that makes the blood *unsafe* for
someone else to use) is re-use of needles or lancets — AND THEY’RE NOT
ALLOWED TO ASK! The rest of the treatment, at least in Georgia, is *exactly*
the same as for non-diabetics. The rest may be reasonable cautions to
protect diabetics, but there is nothing inherent in diabetes that renders
the blood unsafe, and, except for possible state or local laws, there is no
regulation that requires the additional testing.
The opinions expressed are my own and do not necessarily represent those of
my wife who runs this house and makes more important decisions than I do.
December 2nd, 2004 at 4:29 pm
If your blood sugar is up when you donate
> dosent that affect the blood someone may be getting? How does that work?
> Thanks Chrissy
December 2nd, 2004 at 11:16 pm
> I was told many years ago never to donate blood because I
> once had hepatitis; is this still true?
I believe so. FWIW, it isn’t to protect you, but the recipients. There are
a significant number of people who have had hepatitis that become carriers.
The opinions expressed are my own and do not necessarily represent those of
my wife who runs this house and makes more important decisions than I do.
December 3rd, 2004 at 11:41 am
The rest I don’t even recognize…
-Sara
December 3rd, 2004 at 4:09 pm
Thanks for the info, but what is ‘FWIW"?
David
December 4th, 2004 at 12:17 am
FWIW, I just figured it out….forget it!
David
December 4th, 2004 at 12:23 pm
Donating blood….
Will put on my professional hat for a moment. Type 1’s are not excluded in
California…they don’t test iron, the floating drop is an indirect test of
hematocrit or the ratio of RBCS/serum. You need a hematocrit of around 12 to
donate. Hepatitis and several other diseases are exclusions, and the donated
blood is tested for HIV, Hepatitis variations. Lots of drugs are exclusions,
one that would definitely make the list, below is erythropoietin, as that is
taken to stimulate bone marrow to produce more RBCS. Glucose is very labile
in whole blood and a donation of a pint with a 400mg glucose would quickly
disappear when transfused. I fact it is likely to disappear in storage, the
RBCS consume it.
Scott
December 4th, 2004 at 5:08 pm
<< Thanks for the info, but what is ‘FWIW"?
>>
Probably for whatever its worth. Chrissy
December 5th, 2004 at 4:35 am
>>
That’s true Jan - there is supposed to be an extensive history taken and
completed by the donor before they are considered for donatioin. HIV, CMV,
and all the alphabet of Hepatitis screening is a standard nationally set by
the CDC. Given all the meds and your history, they’d say thanks, but No
thanks!!! Joan:)