? about giving blood.

**Vegreenmom** · 12-22-2007, 07:43 PM

Someone on another forum I'm on went to give blood and was told that she couldn't give blood because she was vegan and therefore was "probably anemic". I missed the blood donation thing last week, but it's coming back by the local shopping center this week and I was hoping to give blood. Can anyone tell me if this is a normal thing or if this woman was just in a foul mood? I'm basically vegan (I've had ice cream twice and eggs twice in the past 3 months or so, giving it all up on New Years)...and I was wondering if I even need to mention my eating habits or just what to do/say because now I'm worried. As you can tell, I've never donated blood before

**sunshine** · 12-22-2007, 11:10 PM

Theres no need to discuss your eating habits -- and they have to check your blood to see if you are anemic , regardless.

**PrairieRose** · 12-23-2007, 12:46 AM

Yeah they check your blood. By all means please try to give...there's such a need.

**monkeymia** · 12-23-2007, 02:33 AM

As the girls said, they check your iron levels each time but if you are getting enough iron in your vegan diet e.g. tofu, lentils etc you should be right.

**Vegreenmom** · 12-23-2007, 09:56 AM

Thanks everyone

Yea I'm 100% sure I'm not anemic, I'm very into nutrition and I make sure that I eat right and get everything that I need with every meal. Plus I do a lot of weightlifting so I really have to be on point with my caloric and nutrient intake for it to work for me rather than against me. The thing that got me about the girl that I was talking about was that she said the woman wouldn't even test her for anemia, she just said "You're probably anemic" and sent her on her way. I'm thinking the woman was either really misinformed about this way of eating or just was in a bad mood...I am just floored that they would turn someone away when they're in such need for blood right now!

**PB&J** · 12-23-2007, 06:36 PM

How strange! I have given blood many times and there is no info about your diet even asked. They do a finger stick to test your iron before they take your blood. If it is below a certain amount, you can't donate.

**Momto2Boyz** · 12-27-2007, 12:17 PM

This is off topic...but kind of on topic...

Does anyone know how long you have to wait after you have received blood to give blood?

I was in the emergency room in July and needed a transfusion, which I got due to all the wonderful people who give blood. I have always donated blood a few times a year, but haven't since July.

I never asked when I was in the ER, if there was a certain amount of time I had to wait to donate. Because now more then ever, I want to make sure I get in there and donate. Kind of a pay it forward, kind of thing.

Does anyone know? If not, I can always call the red cross and ask.

**hmcart** · 12-28-2007, 12:28 PM

I dont have an answer to your question but it is so good to see so many people here donating or considering to. I have always pushed my Dh to donate. I have never been able to as I am under the weight limit and anemic, BLAH! Anywho just wanted to add my 2 cents,lol.

**acidcookie** · 12-28-2007, 06:05 PM

Yes, good for you! I used to give blood, am healthy, no problems, and then they got really ridiculous about the rules. Because I was born in Germany I can't give blood? Give me a break. You ask for it, Red Cross, and then you don't want it? Fine.

**dolphin** · 12-31-2007, 01:41 AM

I haven't given blood for years but wish I could. I got extremly ill after giving blood and can't do it. But with my health problems I doubt they would even try now. I think it is very important and everyone who can, should.

**napswithkats** · 01-14-2008, 02:07 PM

You need to wait 12 months after receiving a blood transfusion before you can donate.

Other reasons to wait before donating here:

http://www.lifesource.org/donatingQual.asp

**Edna_E** · 01-15-2008, 05:25 PM

I'm really having trouble with the credibility of this story. I have been a regular donor for several decades now (that' right - decades), and have never had any questions asked about my diet. I have in the past 10 or so years, seen the procedure change to include testing based on a finger-prick, and I have been denied as a donor when I showed a borderline state of anemia that my doctor did not even consider of concern, but they TESTED it, they didn't just guess. It is possible, I guess, that someone went to donate at a less reputable center, but United Blood Services here definitely does not do business that way.

**alliwantisjb** · 01-22-2008, 01:47 AM

sure, you can donate
vegan & non vegan are sometimes turned down due to low iron count
see this link
[ame="http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=24294"]Donating Blood - VeggieBoards - Vegetarian Forum[/ame]