Thank you for your recent attempt to donate blood products with MEDIC Regional Blood Center. Low hemoglobin is a common deferral for donors all over the area and country. MEDIC recommends a few steps to help increase your hemoglobin (Hgb) levels before returning to donate.
If you have questions about your recent deferral, please call us at 865-521-2683 or 865-521-2684. We are happy to answer all questions and schedule your next appointment.
If your hemoglobin was below the values allowed to donate, or if this is not the first time you’ve been deferred for a low hemoglobin level, MEDIC recommends that you discuss these findings with your healthcare provider. Low hemoglobin, also called anemia, can develop when a person either loses red blood cells or does not make enough red blood cells. Most commonly, the cause of mild anemia in otherwise healthy people, particularly women, is a low iron level.
You can help restore your iron levels by eating a nutritious, well-balanced diet with foods rich in iron and vitamin C.
Before donating, MEDIC checks your hemoglobin level, which measures the protein that binds iron to carry oxygen to help nourish tissues throughout your body.
Hemoglobin does not measure whether the iron stores in your body are adequate. If you are worried about your hemoglobin level, we recommend you speak with your health-care provider.
It is normal for iron levels to fluctuate, even in people who don’t donate blood or platelets. Many folks who have low iron feel fine and have no symptoms. However, symptoms could range from mild to more serious, including anemia, fatigue, reduced performance during exercise, difficulty concentrating, or a craving to consume things like ice or chalk (this is called pica).
According to the FDA, the deferral for low hemoglobin is only 1-day, before becoming eligible to attempt to donate again. For some people with a borderline test result, this may be acceptable. However, many folks will need to work to increase their hemoglobin and iron levels. MEDIC checks your hemoglobin level before each blood or platelet donation to ensure your level is acceptable to donate. Most people find that it could take several weeks of eating foods rich in iron, combined with multivitamins with iron or iron supplements, to increase their levels.
