Getting enough iron

[calypso]

I know most of you will probably think I am nuts, but I tried to donate blood today and was turned away because my hematocrit was too low. It had to be at least 38 percent and I was at 36, which is not horribly low, but I take so many B-supplements and iron tablets that I am baffled it could be this low.

I have always had a tendency to score low on the iron count, even in my teens and pre-POTS. But I have made a serious effort to eat plenty of fruits/veggies, and to even consume vitamin C to increase my iron absorption. I still fail to reach the magic number.

Does anyone here have any insight or a similar experience?

I am so frustrated that even when I feel decent enough to donate, that I get turned away. My dad had a kidney transplant many years ago, and ever since then I have had a desire to be more altruistic -- and since I can't donate an organ, I thought this would be a good way to pay society back for what he received. I have yet to actually donate because I have never passed the prescreening yet, in the five times I have tried.

Amy

[nantynannie]

Hi Amy,

I don't have any answers for you, but I think you should check with your doc as to why you are not absorbing the iron you are taking. Maybe there is a solution and you can straighten it out, feel a little better health wise and get back to donating when you are up to it. Heaven knows we need people like you!

Ann

[Ernie]

Hi,

I understand your desire to be altruistic and I admire your generosity in wanting to donate your blood but I am not sure that it would be safe for you. It could put you into a POTShole for a while. Maybe you could try volunteering with something else that would not influence your health.

I use to know what vitamin to take to help with iron absorbption but after not working in the field for 4 years I have forgotten it. It might be something like zinc or b12 but I am not sure.

Ernie

[Sunfish]

Amy -

i too applaud your intentions & efforts but would really encourage you to reconsider trying to donate. for your sake - and please don't take this the wrong way - i am actually glad that your screening kept you from being able to do so.

for me - pre-diagnosis - i donated my senior year of high school, passing the screening with no problems whatsoever, and soon thereafter was a mess. the next few days were a blur & i likely would have ended up having to go to the hospital if we hadn't had a great doc who is a neighbor who came to our house & treated me (with injections of ???) to help get me on my feet again. i'm sure it has happenned but i have yet to hear of someone with an autonomic issue who donated blood without paying dearly. i think there was a recent discussion about this but i can't seem to find it. here's one from a year or so ago though:

http://dinet.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=508&hl=

regardless of this, your question about your hematocrit is another issue entirely. 36 is generally not a number that concerns a doctor; the donation guidelines are set up with a bit of leeway. so...if you're concerned i'd suggest bringing it up with your doc but i know for me it's taken far lower levels before docs were concerned. it's also common for women's levels to be lower during & right after their periods. and as is the case with anything, different people are just different. the fact that your levels have always been on the low side may just be how you are. i know others who are entirely healthy, great diets, athletes, etc. but can't donate b/c they can't seem to ever pass the screen...so you're not alone in this.

maybe you could find a way to volunteer at a blood drive or make cookies for them? i too wish i could donate but know that for me it's just not an option...

:-)melissa

[nantynannie]

Amy,

After reading the other posts I am wondering if donating is such a good idea! Now that I think about it, the one time that I was able to donate before I got POTS, I passed out and did not do too well for a long time afterward. I think that maybe it is not so good to have a lower blood volume for a while after you donate. Maybe the lower hematocrit is just God's way to keep you safe.

Ann

[briarrose]

I admire you for wanting to donate but it really isn't a good idea. My hct was 28 before I started getting Epogen and IV Iron.

Even so I wouldn't ever donate blood again. Symptoms in this illness occur often because of low volume (hypovolemia.) Donating could increase or worsen your symptoms for many weeks if not months.

I would talk to an autonomic specialist before thinking about donating for your own health and welfare.

If you want to help why don't you just donate your time for the day or check with your local red cross to see if they have any activities you can participate in. I use to teach first aid and CPR for the red cross. I also worked at many first aid stations at festivals and car races.

[calypso]

Well, you are all probably right. I am so stubborn, though, and have made it a life goal to get myself healthy enough to donate. Maybe now is not the best time, but I at least want to get myself on right track.

I just can't figure out why there were people donating who I know are diabetic, have high blood pressure, have had triple bypass surgery, etc., and they have no problems passing the screening, nor do they have problems donating. I can't begin to tell you guys how many supplements I take, and how many iron-rich foods I eat, only to have my iron levels always come out low when I get them tested at the doctor's office.

I really don't know for sure if my POTS is caused by hypovolemia, but it doesn't appear to be. I don't benefit from extra water/salt, nor do my doctors think (judging from blood tests) that I am hypovolemic. In fact, I seem to have a high cardiac output and a lot of blood circulating, I am told. But because no one really knows much for sure about autonomic problems, thye could all be wrong.

Thanks for the advice. I am truly a hard-head.

Amy

[Sunfish]

amy-

just one more "p.s." and i'll leave you alone

i've had blood volume testing & do NOT have notably low blood volume...so this isn't necessary for a bad blood donation reaction...

(i do get worse though without lots of salt & fluids)

:-)melissa

[Eillyre]

Just thought I'd add a quick note.

Sounds like you've looked into the nutritional/dietary information regarding increasing iron intake, so I'll appologize in advance if this is old news or not applicable.

My sports nutritionist once advised me to avoid consuming good sources of iron and calcium at the same time (e.g don't have a big glass of milk with your beef, don't have iron supplements with your yogurt at breakfast); apparently, the calcium retards iron consumption or vice versa. She suggested trying to space them away from each other throughout the day (have the milk as a mid day snack rather than with dinner, etc.).

It won't solve the problem I'm sure, particularly since this has been a long-standing struggle for you, but I didn't know if it might help at all. Just a thought! Have you considered consulting a good medical nutritionist for help?

Glad to hear that you're feeling a little better!

Angela

[calypso]

Thanks, Angela. I do drink a lot of milk and consume a lot of calcium (yogurt, soy milk, etc.), and I just read about this same issue yesterday. I'm not sure if I tend to eat them together or not -- but I will certainly pay more attention now.

I asked my doctor about this issue once, and he basically told me my hematocrit wasn't low enough to warrant a dietitian visit. It had to be below 35 for him to be concerned. He said it's probably just genetic, but I hate getting those kinds of answers. I guess I am now wondering whether all the money I spend on supplements is a total waste, since I don't appear to be absorbing them.

Amy