Still Tired...

[Purple_Popple]

I donated blood a week ago, and have done several times before, however I feel so very tired, have done constantly after the donation. I normally feel fine afterwards, but this time I'm sleeping heavily and a lot, also just walking feels like hard work and I also have no energy.

[grasscarp]

When you give blood you are also losing haemoglobin which carries oxygen around your body. It takes several weeks to build this up again which is why pilots are discouraged from donating blood.

[237SJ]

Mmm, I`m not sure about that. I think the CAA say it is OK to go flying about 48 hours after giving blood.

[grasscarp]

I used to teach human performance and limitations to pilots and flew myself for 35 years. I taught that it takes up to 3 months for the red blood cells to be replaced in the body after blood donation. I was also working at British Airways and pilots were not also blood donors. At altitude you needs as much blood cells as possible as there is less oxygen in the atmosphere. I also know the bit about how long to leave between flying and having given blood, but this advice is due to slight risk of syncope or fainting.

[Sqad]

Well a dispute between 2 of my favourite ABers........and i have to choice which one to support ;-)

After giving a pint of blood:

Total blood volume is replaced in a matter of hours.........so what?
Red cells are replaced almost overnight..........so what?
Now haemoglobin may take up to 3 months to get back to normal and THAT is the big deal.

So, I agree with grasscarp...........;-)

[slaney]

It can indeed take up to three months to replace the blood,
http://www.blood.co.uk/about-blood/how-the-body-replaces-blood/
but most people, if they have sufficient iron stores, make it up faster than that.
*Anecdote alert*
I once had a Hb of 7.5 g/dL post op, and 10 days later it was 10g/dL.

You should have had a haemoglobin check beforehand, and for you to donate it should have been at least 12.5g/dL. Your Hb after donation would have fallen to about 11 -11.5g/dL.
Normally a haemoglobin of this level would not be low enough to give the symptoms you describe.
Perhaps see your GP if these symptoms persist.

[Purple_Popple]

I never mentioned flying..neither am I a pilot.

[grasscarp]

But it applies to everyone Purple_Popple that they need to have sufficient haemoglobin in their blood cells, (when they are carrying oxygen it makes oxyhaemoglobin.) If you have less than the full amount then your body is not able to make full use of the amount of oxygen in the air your breath and so you can feel tired. I only mentioned flying because that is where I found out a great deal about this subject.