“Can I donate blood?”
I tried to donate blood at the local hospital and after 3 tries (3 different nurses) they could not draw blood from my left arm vein. What could have caused that? I usually donate once a year in order to keep my iron level lower; but this time was only 8 weeks since the last time.
PS - I usually have low blood pressure (116/65 or lower) but when it was taken in hosp., it was 136/78. (This was probably because I was at the hosp.)
PS - I usually have low blood pressure (116/65 or lower) but when it was taken in hosp., it was 136/78. (This was probably because I was at the hosp.)
Female | 74 years old
2 Answers
The reason why they could not get the blood was probably because you were dehydrated and therefore your veins collapse when your blood volume is low. Next time you go to donate blood, drink plenty of fluid the night before and before going to have the procedure. It will help. Hemochromatosis, which is what you are describing me, is a disease of increase iron in the blood. Now, your phlebotomy treatment is necessary to lower your blood iron, however, you need to consult your hematologist to see what other new treatment there for your condition besides phlebotomy are. Thank you.
Have them try the right arm next time, and if they can’t use that one you can ask for an RN (who may be more practiced than the barely-trained folks at the blood bank. Of course you have other veins; the problem is that the one in front of your elbow is supported by other tissues so that it won’t collapse when fluid is removed
