The Blood Center tests your hemoglobin before each donation. Since iron is an essential part of hemoglobin, a low hemoglobin can indicate low iron stores and anemia. However, some donors may have enough hemoglobin to donate blood even if their body's iron stores are low.
If you have been diagnosed with low iron (with or without low haemoglobin) you can't donate until it's been fully investigated, treated and corrected. This may include iron replacement therapy or dietary changes to increase iron intake.
Bruce Newman, Southeastern Michigan Region medical director for the American Red Cross, is more blunt: “We are actually making people iron deficient.” He points out that blood-donation–induced iron deficiency can cause people to be “a little more tired or just not able to endure as well” even before it leads to ...
Anemia in general causes 1.7 deaths per 100,000 people in the United States annually. It is usually treatable if caught quickly, although some types are chronic, which means they need continual treatment. The outlook for people with serious anemia will depend on the cause: Aplastic anemia.Apr 25, 2019
Lower than normal hemoglobin levels indicate anemia. The normal hemoglobin range is generally defined as 13.2 to 16.6 grams (g) of hemoglobin per deciliter (dL) of blood for men and 11.6 to 15 g/dL for women.Jan 4, 2022
If you lose iron faster than you can replace it through your diet, you may become anemic. Many donors have adequate iron levels to donate blood safely, but frequent blood donors should be aware that blood donation may lead to low iron levels or anemia.
If you have a high iron level which isn't caused by haemochromatosis, you may be able to donate blood. You'll first need a referral from your doctor, which they must generate using our High Ferritin App, confirming that your high iron has been investigated and that any significant underlying cause has been addressed.
Left untreated, anemia can cause many health problems, such as: Extreme fatigue. Severe anemia can make you so tired that you can't complete everyday tasks. Pregnancy complications.Feb 11, 2022