Community Chat

[SilleeMee]

@tends2dogs,

I used to work in a blood bank. I know that there is no upper limit on how old you are to qualify to donate. There are some medications that will automatically disqualify you. Also, if you've been diagnosed with certain diseases or conditions, then this will also disqualify you.  If you are still interested in donating, then just call the blood bank and ask for guidelines.

[hckynut]

@SXMGirl

Thank you for your reply. I understand that Hemoglobin readings do change. In the hospital with my bleeding colon, for that whole month, my Hemoglobin was checked every 8 hours. Sure it varied, but I am talking an 8.0 to maybe an 8.2, which basically meant nothing.

My Hematologist said "not below 9", but my Cardiologist said "not below 10". Since I have had 2 heart attacks at that time, I went with my Cardiologist's recommended low. When those numbers dropped below 10, usually 2 units of blood transfused, and depending on my Ferritin reading, sometimes also an Iron Infusion.

What you described sounds more like a boxer or wrestler would do to "make their weigh-in", not something that is going to remain for even a day. I used to "Carbo Load" a week before my Road Races longer than 10k, but that was for an event, not something I would ever do permanently. 

For Marathon Races I wanted to weigh 125lbs. For mostly 2 mile/5k and 10 k races I liked to be a little below 135lbs. Playing hockey, I wanted to weigh 150-155lbs. Each sport, and distance, I felt my best, and was more competitive at those weights. Took years of trial/error to figure all of them out and to reach those particular weights. I am 5'8" tall, maybe shorter at this present older age?

I would never do anything to artificially change my blood readings, I want them to be exact. I have done many different things to enhance my physical conditioning for running/Referee, and speed skating competitions, but never anything that would give me a false/positive for anything pertaining to blood or other important blood numbers.

I haven't eaten meat/fish or fowl since the mid 1970's, and I don't believe the meat/iron connection. I met many in the hospital and Cardiac Rehab Classes that were Anemic, and they had to learn how to "eat less meat", rather than eat more. Sure, I think Vegans may need to add something to replace not eating anything in the meat or dairy class, but I have been a lacto-ovo vegetarian and do not shun dairy.

Yes, everyone is different, but when it comes to certain critical blood readings? To me a 7.0gdl of blood reading means pretty much the same for every human, it is way too low. Bodies an internal organs/bones and connective tissues/muscle to fat, lots of differences in humans. But blood, other than ones type? I don't buy so much into the differences on how what one eats, at what time, and how often, will permanently and safely alter blood readings.

Thanks again for your reply, and most of all, stay well.

hckynut(john)