What Should I Do To Prepare Myself For A Plasma Donation
Staying hydrated and eating properly beforehand are important parts of a healthyplasma donation. Make sure your diet is high in protein and avoid foods high in fat. Drink plenty of water, and avoid alcohol, tobacco and caffeine on the day before and the day of your donation.
Getting a good night’s sleep before your donation and not smoking before a donation is also important.
Can I Donate If
For whole-blood donation, you can make an appointment using our simple on-line form. If you have any other questions or concerns regarding donation, call the NIH Blood Bank at 496-1048. We can also answer many of your questions via email at .
Below, you will find a list of questions donors frequently ask. The eligibility criteria for donation at the National Institutes of Health Department of Transfusion Medicine reflects local NIH policy as well as national regulations. Although all blood banks are required to follow general federal regulations, specific criteria may vary, depending on each blood bank’s internal policies. If you are donating at a blood bank other than the NIH Blood Bank, contact that bank with any questions regarding your eligibility.
Can I donate if …
Can I donate if I am taking aspirin? You cannot donate platelets if you have taken aspirin in the last 48 hours.
Can I donate if I am 16 years old? You must be at least 17 years old to donate at the NIH Blood Bank or Donor Center at Fishers Lane.
Can I donate if I am 70 years old? There is no upper age limit for donation.
Can I donate if I have traveled to other countries? There is a slight risk of exposure to infectious agents outside the United States that could cause serious disease. Donor deferral criteria for travel outside the US are designed to prevent the transmission of three specific organisms from donor to recipient:
Can Diabetics Donate Blood
November is American Diabetes Month. Millions of people around the world live with diabetes or know someone living with diabetes. A common misconception is that being a diabetic means you cant donate blood, but thats not necessarily true.
If you are healthy and your diabetes is under control you may be able to become a blood donor. You should check with your doctor before you make an appointment to donate blood.
Being a diabetic does not mean you cant donate blood, but there are some factors related to your diabetes that could cause you to be deferred.
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Only Two Types Of Diabetes Medications Can Exclude You From Donating
- Bovine insulin, derived from cows, poses a risk of carrying Mad Cow Disease. Even if its been years or decades since taking bovine insulin, you will not be eligible to donate.
- Warfarin is a blood thinner often used to treat high cholesterol, but it can also help lower blood sugar levels. It isnt safe or allowed to donate blood while taking a blood thinner.
You should never stop taking a prescribed medication just to change your eligibility to donate blood.
Your A1c And Blood Sugar Levels Dont Have To Be Perfect
The ARC does not have any specific requirements when it comes to your A1c or blood sugar level at the time of donation. However, they do state on their website: Donors with diabetes who take any kind of insulin are eligible to donate as long their diabetes is well controlled.
Unfortunately, some other countries, including Canada and the United Kingdom, do not allow blood donations from anyone taking insulin.
The ARC has determined that high blood sugar levels in donated blood means the blood quality decreases in the days or weeks after donation. This means that managing your blood sugar levels as carefully as you can on the day you donate is very important. Near-normal blood sugar levelsbetween 70 to 140 mg/dLbefore and during blood donation make your donation more useful.
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How To Donate Plasma
Expect the plasma donation process to take 1 to 2 hours. If its your first time at the donation center, the initial paperwork and health screening may take longer. Depending on how fast the blood draw occurs, the actual donation part takes roughly an hour.
To donate, make an appointment at a reputable plasma donation center. If you arent sure where to go, check with your doctor or a local hospital for recommendations. Currently, there are more than 700 licensed and certified plasma collection centers in the US and Europe Licensing means that your donation will be executed by a trained medical professional in a highly controlled, sterile environment.
Why Cant Type 1 Diabetic Donate Blood
Well, as a type 1 diabetic, you might have heard that it is not safe to be donating blood. Several reasons surround this advice. Most of it is because it may be harmful to your health.
To understand why as a type 1 diabetic patient, you should not donate blood, let us first have a clear picture of how type 1 diabetes is.
In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas stops producing beta cells connected to the direct supplying of the insulin hormone. Insulin is a metabolic hormone that controls the blood sugar levels in the body.
As a Type 1 diabetes individual, your immune system damages these beta cells that help produce insulin. Thus, your body has either a lack of a deficiency of the insulin hormone.
Therefore, insulin therapy and artificial insulin injections are utilized and delivered to the body to continue the body processes. This is a major reason why Type 1 diabetic patients are recommended not to donate blood.
Type 1 diabetes patients are more prone to be dependent on insulin. Be it the insulin pump therapy you take or the regular insulin injections, you should not donate blood.
Patients taking insulin should not give blood because it can hurt their health and lead to unmanaged blood sugar levels.
Type 1 diabetes patients seem to observe high blood sugar levels up to a few days after having donated blood. The blood glucose levels in Type 1 diabetic patients tend to be affected due to blood donation.
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How Can Giving Blood Affect My Diabetes
After giving blood, the volume of blood in your body returns to normal within a few days. But it takes about 10 to 12 weeks for the red blood cells taken to be fully replaced. This will affect your HbA1c level. So if you’ve given blood in the three months leading up to an HbA1c blood test, tell your healthcare professional. This will help them to interpret your HbA1c result more accurately.
After giving blood, make sure you follow the rules on resting and eating and drinking something.
Rules For Donating Plasma
This author has been verfied for credibility and expertise
Like other forms of blood donation, a plasma donation can prove lifesaving to others 18. Plasma is the liquid portion of your blood. It contains many important proteins that help fight infections and enable the blood to clot. But before heading to a local donation facility, there are some eligibility rules to consider. Age, weight and general health requirements must be met for your safety. You will also be asked about your medical conditions, medications, recent activities and the date of your last donation to determine your eligibility.
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What Would Restrict Me From Donating
As mentioned, there would be a medical history screening and a test for transmissible diseases before you get a pass. If you have a background history of a certain disease, you may be disqualified. It can be a severe chronic condition or an illness caused by a transmissible virus. You will not be allowed to donate blood or plasma.
Heres a list of conditions that would hinder you from being a donor, along with some common requests regarding eligibility.
What To Eat Before Donating Plasma
Drinking plenty of water and eating a balanced, healthy diet is always a good choice, but its even more important on the days leading up to plasma donation. Make sure to get a good nights sleep before the day of your donation. Drink about 6 to 8 cups of water the day before and day of donating, and eat a protein- and iron-rich meal within 3 hours of donation.
High-protein foods include beans and legumes, beef, chicken, shrimp, cheese, eggs, milk, yogurt , and seeds and nuts. Broccoli, beef, beans, iron-enriched breakfast cereals, chicken, ham, dark leafy greens, raisins, and watermelon are all high in iron.
Avoid fatty foods like French fries and other fried foods, pizza, or sweets the day you donate, and dont drink alcohol the night before. These can affect your blood tests and prevent you from donating.
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Can I Switch Plasma Donation Centers
Yes! Transferring between Octapharma Plasma centers is easier than ever! You can easily transfer to donate at the center thats most convenient for you, with no wait time or paperwork. Transferring centers wont affect your donor qualification status and can be completed at a kiosk. See your new donation center staff for help or questions about transferring.
I Know The Person Donated Why Have I Not Been Paid
Most of the time, when we see a donor not being paid, its because the referral code was not applied to the first-time donation of who they referred. The referral code can only be applied during that very first visit. Additionally, the referred friend must be a first time donor, and not a previous donor with Octapharma Plasma. Otherwise, payments are typically received within 24 hours of each donation.
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Regardless Of Diabetes You Absolutely Cannot Donate If
- You are sick with a cold, flu, infection, etc.
- You have low iron levels
- Youve gotten a tattoo within the past year
- You weigh less than 110 pounds
- You are under 17 years old
- You have ever used recreational intravenous drugs or steroids
- Youve received a new piercing on your body within the past year
- You have cancer
- Youve given birth within the last 6 weeks
- Youre being treated for postpartum medical issues
- Youve received a blood transfusion within 1 year
- Youve undergone surgery recently
- You have HIV/Aids
Who Needs To Wait To Donate Plasma
Some people who cannot donate blood at the moment may be allowed to do so in the future. These include:
- Pregnant women and women who gave birth in the past six months.
- People who have recently traveled. Doctors will also inquire about your travel habits to determine if you’re likely to have a communicable illness like Ebola, Zika Virus, etc.
- Those who have gotten a tattoo recently. If you recently got a tattoo or piercing, doctors may not allow you to donate plasma. This is to avoid hepatitis that can be caused by sharing of needles.
- People undergoing checkups or assessments to find out if they have a chronic illness or heart disease.
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Asthma Allergy Cold/flu And Infections
These conditions will only be a problem if youre not feeling well at the time. It could be difficulty breathing or an active infection. If youve already recovered and are feeling well, you will not be disqualified. You can only donate at least 10 days after your last antibiotic shot or oral medication for infections.
What Do I Need To Know Before I Donate Blood With Diabetes
Its good to know the Red Cross guidelines when you plan to donate blood with diabetes. The Red Cross will take blood donated from people with diabetes in the United States if the person has their diabetes under control. It doesnt matter if you are on insulin, have Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes, as long as you are well managed, and are in generally good health.
Donation process
The donation process is fairly easy, and you should be in and out within the hour.
Screening for blood donation with diabetes
The general age to donate blood is 16. Age does vary by state, so check with your local Red Cross blood banks for the age cut-off to donate blood in your state.
Will your blood sugar or your A1C be tested before you give blood? No, they will not go to such extremes, therefore, it is your responsibility to be honest with the Red Cross when attempting to donate blood with diabetes.
At the blood bank, a Red Cross representative will check your vital signs, including your temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure, and weight. They will check your blood to determine your Hemoglobin. This lets the Red Cross know if you are anemic, which means that you have a lower number of red blood cells than is considered normal. If you are anemic, you wont be able to give blood until your red blood cells return to the normal number. You will have to treat your anemia before you consider donating blood.
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How Do I Earn Octarewards Points
You earn OctaRewards points for every successful plasma donation made at your local Octapharma Plasma donation center. One donation = one point. Your points show up in your account within 2 to 3 days after every successful plasma donation. Login to your account and visit the Track Rewards page to view your progress.
You can also earn extra points by participating in our referral program and other special promotions or surveys featured throughout the year. You will be notified of these opportunities through the OctaRewards program, so check back frequently.
Donating Blood Might Worsen Certain Diabetes Complications
Like your diabetes diagnosis, a complication diagnosis doesnt automatically exclude you from donating, but it should be discussed carefully with your healthcare team. The most common complication that could play a role in your decision to donate blood is retinopathy.
If you are being treated for any stage of retinopathy and other serious eye conditions, donating blood can temporarily change the blood pressure in your eyes. Talk to your healthcare team before donating blood if you are managing any type of diabetes-related complication.
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Organ And/or Tissue Transplant
Recent organ or tissue transplants would disqualify you from being a donor. You have to wait for 3 months after the operation before becoming eligible.
In the case of dura mater or brain covering transplant, this results in permanent disqualification from being a blood or plasma donor. This is because of the possibility of CJD or other TSE transmission.
For Patients With Type 1 Diabetes
Some patients with type 1 diabetes report higher blood sugar levels during the few days after donating blood. This could be related to hydration levels since becoming dehydrated can easily raise your blood sugar.
This means its extra important that you drink plenty of water after donating blood as a person with diabetes.
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Monitor Your Blood Glucose Levels Post
Some Type 1 diabetics report slightly elevated blood glucose levels 3-5 days after donating. While your immediate levels wont spike or bottom out due to donating, it is possible that donating blood may cause your A1C or HbA1c to be falsely lowered. This is thought to be caused by blood loss and accelerated red blood cell turnover.
Monitor your blood sugar levels after donating and make sure to keep your body nourished by increasing your fluid intake and consuming more iron.
Unlike insulin diabetics use, blood cannot be made in the factory and only comes from volunteer donors. If your diabetes is well-controlled you can give whole blood every 56 days or donate plateletsevery 7 days.
How Are Plasma Donor Centers Regulated
AllGrifolsplasma centers are licensed and regulated by the FDA and other international agencies. Eachplasma donation centeris inspected and certified by those agencies regularly in addition to being monitored by the International Quality Plasma Program . State health officials also inspectplasma centersto verify compliance with certain laboratory testing requirements and procedures.Grifolsalso has a robust internal regulatory program that routinely inspects and verifies the company’s quality assurance requirements.
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What Is Plasma Used For
Your protein-rich plasma is used to create a number of life-saving medicines that treat patients with rare, chronic, and inherited diseases. These plasma-based medicines are used in emergency medicine or trauma, for bleeding disorders like hemophilia, and to treat patients with immune diseases where their bodies have trouble fighting infections.
Consider Your Own Safety
T1D should not put you at any greater risk of feeling feint or nauseous while donating. Some T1D patients report their BGLs run slightly higher for 3-5 days after donating. Your immediate levels shouldnt be influenced either way you wont suddenly spike or bottom out. Doctors do say your A1C or HbA1c may be falsely lowered, a temporary effect thought to be caused by blood loss and accelerated red blood cell turnover.
If you want to donate, but are concerned about the health consequences, talk to your doctor first. After donating, its crucial to closely monitor your blood sugar levels and re-nourish your body. Increase your fluid intake and consider eating more iron-rich foods for a few days. Be smart: use common sense. Take care of yourself the same way you always would.
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