I've never given blood before, but I have the opportunity to do so this coming Wednesday (the 20th). I'm worried I won't have enough iron to donate though (I don't eat breakfast, I don't eat a lot of meat, I don't take multivitamins, and lately I've only been having one meal a day and coffee). Also, I realized I'll have my period and that decreases your iron levels too. I tried looking around online and this is what I came up with:

-stop drinking coffee
-eat total whole grain cereal for breakfast
-eat red meat
-take a multivitamin

Would that be enough or should I be doing more? Realistically, is five days enough time to make any difference in my iron levels if they are deficient? I signed up last night and did all of the above today except not drink coffee. Or am I just worrying for nothing? Thanks.

Five days is plenty of time. Eat green leafy veggies to start.

They will test your blood first, then determine if you can or cannot give blood. If you can't they will tell you why so that you can fix that problem.

Don't get rash and give up the coffee

Well the multivitamins say they have 18mg of iron per serving which is, I think, more than I need in a day. Then the cereal has 18-22.2mg I guess, depending on the source. But then it says iron is hard to absorb, so that's why I'm fretting.

Thank you both, I'll try your suggestions. Also, do they tell you your blood type that day or only later if it's usable? I'm curious what type I am.

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Originally Posted by give2me1lemons

Well the multivitamins say they have 18mg of iron per serving which is, I think, more than I need in a day. Then the cereal has 18-22.2mg I guess, depending on the source. But then it says iron is hard to absorb, so that's why I'm fretting.

Thank you both, I'll try your suggestions. Also, do they tell you your blood type that day or only later if it's usable? I'm curious what type I am.

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They don't tell you your blood type, but they will tell you whether you can give blood that day.

I did it! My iron had to be 12.5 and it ended up being 14 (after a huge bowl of cereal and a multivitamin), so I was able to give blood. My blood pressure was 110/70 and my heart rate was 77. I almost didn't think I would be allowed because I was in Costa Rica almost two years ago, but everything ended up being okay. :)

Ok, I should probably start a new thread, but it's related to this. I'm starting to freak out, and I am reluctant to even say it here.

When I was maybe eight (1999), my dad found out he had hepatitis. He was treated for it. I was young and didn't really understand it all. I thought it was hepatitis B for the longest time, but now I am pretty sure my mom said it was hepatitis C. Or the other way around, but I think it is C. Anyway, my mom and I both gave blood and on the questionnaire it asks if you live with someone with hepatitis. I said no because he's been treated. My mom asked the doctor/nurse/phlebotomist/whoever, who then asked if he'd had any symptoms in the last year-he hasn't. My mom thinks the woman marked no for her too. We were both able to give blood.

I'm worrying because sometime after he was diagnosed but before I could comprehend my dad's disease, I used his razor a few times. I don't remember how old I was, but it seems that's a way you can get the disease. I haven't used his razor in a long time, and I obviously never would now, especially since I've long since had my own. Anyway, I'm really worried that this means I could have it? I understand you can go a long time without symptoms. I know they test for all three forms of hepatitis when they screen donated blood, so I know I will find out for sure, but I'm wondering just how concerned I should be that I may have it?

I'm honestly trying not to freak out. I feel diseased.

I wouldn't freak out yet. Go to your dr and get tested. Take some deep breaths in the mean time ;)

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Originally Posted by justcurious55

i wouldn't freak out yet. go to your dr and get tested. take some deep breaths in the mean time ;)

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I'm too chicken for that, but I did finally hear back from The Red Cross yesterday. They didn't say I had anything wrong with me, and they're supposed to test for that among other things. Unless they cut corners, I guess I'm okay. It was a long shot anyway; I shouldn't have been so concerned. Thank you.

Oh and I'm O positive.