I used to attend as part of a blood donating "team" and many times many of our members were turned down for low iron. Thanks so much for giving it a try! Drugs, supplements, and natural remedies may have dangerous side effects. I would have had no problems if I was getting annual blood work done by an actual doctor. I couldn't even climb the stairs to my bedroom at home. my friend says it might be symptoms of iron deficieny. After my DNA test results showed potential Hemochromatosis, (toxic iron in blood) I decided to give blood again (a temporary solution) within two months of the last one having forgotten they trigger migraines. You are screened much more thoroughly and they're very strict about who donates. Too many people think of not being able to drive as a hassle, instead think about all the people you could be putting at risk. By the time I reached my car in the parking garage, I started to wonder if I could safely make my thirty-minute commute. These checks may highlight any underlying conditions people are not aware of and help them seek treatment sooner. I've also been dealing with RLS, which can be due to insufficient iron, even with a ferritin level that is in the low-normal range. why are the headaches only one sided, why so many things. No, unfortunately, you cannot reduce your chances of having a blood transfusion reaction. Low blood and low iron content can cause migraines. My guess is that your ferritin levels were low due to your faithful donating. According to the CDC, TAGVHD occurs when T-lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, from the donor blood rapidly increase in number in the recipient. Did you actually suffer a stroke and obtain permanent neurological damage or was that just reversible anemia? Donors beware. About a year ago, they tested my iron at a blood drive and flagged me as having low iron. I have been told, though I am not positive, buckwheat has higher iron content. When to see a doctor Make an appointment with your doctor if you feel fatigued and you don't know why. Paid employees of the blood centers are called phlebotomists, or "bloodletters," and they can help determine your eligibility. Shortness of breath can be a symptom of normal bodily functioning during exercise, lung disease, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and liver disease. That information would be much more useful to donors looking at this post. so much anxiety from feeling so bad and being so worried about my health. Any advice/tips on how to recover quickly would also be appreciated. This is rare for a male donating blood. Ferritin is an acute phase reactant and can be elevated due to many reasons this is why it is done in conjunction with other specific measures of iron if anemia or iron overload is being evaluated. It's very different in Australia. About five hours later I felt like a jab of pain on the upper neck left side spreading up to the head. If FNHTR occurs during the transfusion, the healthcare professional will stop the procedure. The most common causes of short-term dyspnea are: Anxiety disorders. However, blood centers choose to not self-regulate to reduce the harm to blood donors of iron deficiency or anemia with blood donation or taking blood from already anemic donors. He found that my iron stores were completely depleted. Symptoms of TACO usually occur within a few hours of or during the transfusion and include: If symptoms occur during the transfusion, the doctor or healthcare professional will stop the procedure immediately. Shortness of breath is a common symptom of allergy, infection, inflammation, injury, or certain metabolic conditions. Treatment depends on the severity of the symptoms: According to a 2012 article, most cases typically resolve within 4872 hours. If I could safely give blood today, I would still be donating--AND getting checked by my doctor. To this day my arm still throbs with pain for no reason. Some procedures and criteria are made even more strict by the medical directors of the organization. Another possibility is that you are actually suffering from asthma - specifically, exercise-induced asthma. And I already booked the next appointment July 2018. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Today, I got up and felt very dizzy, and stayed dizzy all day- still am! Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. If obesity or poor health is the cause, you will need to make lifestyle changes to manage your shortness of breath. For many, COPD causes our lungs to become hyper-inflated, which means they take up more room in our chest. I was admitted to the nearest hospital through their ER. It is always good to speak with your doctor before donating. First time I am still not feeling well after donated 3 weeks back. Call 911 if you think you could be having a heart attack. . the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. I don't think it's fair to say that donating blood nearly killed you. The sight of blood or the collection needle, pain from the needle insertion, or anxiousness about the donation process can trigger this reaction. The internal medicine doctor told me the "prick test" my blood center uses to test iron content is inaccurate, but still would have shown I was dangerously low before I donated. other information we have about you. Shortness of breathwhat doctors call dyspneais the unpleasant sensation of having difficulty breathing. Dizziness is one most popular blood donation effects, this effect occurs because of loosing some blood. I usually donate about three times a year. Do any symptoms still linger and did you actually suffer a stroke? This content is accurate and true to the best of the authors knowledge and does not substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, and/or dietary advice from a licensed health professional. Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW The Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW Ending the Opioid Crisis - Mayo Clinic Press, FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic Press. Your story is a scary one! i had some juice and went to sleep. I didn't know what it even was so I went to the eye doctor being partially blinded by the lights appearing before my eyes. Last time I donated i had to lay off the cardio for a week. If this happened very often, I'm sure they'd have some real litigation on their hands. https://labtestsonline.org/tests/hemoglobin. One should never drive feeling dizzy. Afterward, a person can apply a warm compress four times a day for 20 minutes. I did some yard work over the weekend however and noticed losing my wind while doing heavy lifting. . Transfusion reactions. One thing I WON'T do is trust the blood collector to check my iron for me: I'll donate and see *my* Dr .afterward for the first year. Asthma or emphysema. Helping others can have a positive effect on the people performing the good deed. I wanted to do my part helping others not hurt myself. I have also met some who I wouldn't trust as far as I could throw them. However, its pathophysiology is poorly understood. I was out of work for 7 days! Bacterial infections may occur during the blood donation if the needle is not sterilized. Naturally, the blood center loved me. Nausea can be triggered by few reasons. I donated blood once and was very dizzy for the next 2 weeks but it all cleared up. It is really helpful to make a decision whether or not to donate. https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/physical-side-effects/low-blood-counts/anemia.html. Thank you! Sudden shortness of breath. I wish I did my research before donationg. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that the most common adverse reactions are allergic and febrile (fever) transfusion reactions. Can I donate blood after getting a tattoo? I actually was so debilitated today I forgot a client appointment I missed, so it's a very serious issue. I was kind of peeved at my doc. I'm routinely anemic and have had many iv infusions of blood, but I don't walk around saying anemia almost killed me. Smoking is a reason for Shortness of breath after quitting smoking. You may feel shortness of breath for many reasons. Symptoms will depend on the severity and may include: If other symptoms are present, the person should contact their doctor. We also look at how to treat these side effects. What to do before, during, and after your donation. You should never donate blood without this information being TOLD to you. I hope I will feel normal again soon. A 2013 study consisting of 82 male and female participants found an improvement in cholesterol levels in blood donors. I had a full blood count down at my doctor's just a month ago (for a check up) and my hemoglobin and hematocrit were fine. You should have got a hotline number on a piece of paper when you were done donating. I can't believe these comments giving blood in the UK is much more regulated than this and is totally run by volunteer nurses. Thank you for donating blood today. Blood banks are regulated by the FDA. Top 22 Source of Vitamin D Foods in Earth (No.1 Shocking), Health Benefits of Licorice Root Tea: From Digestive Health to Hair Care, 8 Health Benefits of Consuming Plums during Pregnancy, 7 Amazing Health Benefits of Sunflower Oil for Healthy Skin. Also, keep in mind that the safety of exercising after blood donation also varies depending on the type of donation you're making. What happens to your body when you donate blood? Hydrate, eat well, and rest, and you should feel better soon! Spot on, Andrew. 23rd ed. My hemoglobin level was 13.3 and everything checked out fine. Thanks God nothing major happened to you. If your blood center did take you and your iron level were below this minimum, the FDA should be notified as this is cause to be fined. They may only bleed while you are digesting food, in which case, you can't see them during an endoscope. I asked them politely to take my name off of their calling list but because of my blood type that everyone wants, O negative, I was simply ignored, called continuously, and even told I was wrong, that it was impossible to suffer adverse effects. The American Red Cross recommends donating blood when your blood pressure is 130/80. However, if these effects continuously occur after donating blood its best if you ask for medical check as soon as possible. The nurses who monitor me are nurses, with medical training mostly coming out of hospitals seeking a more positive career - lots of people die in hospitals after all. We do however, check your hemoglobin levels which is a protein in your red blood cells that delivers oxygen to your body. information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with What are paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND) and sighing dyspnea? In the future, I hope they will decide such a precaution is necessary. Speaking of which, this happened nearly a year agoI need to make an apt :D. Jmillis2006 from North Carolina on March 16, 2013: This is how our health care systems operate all on numbers, most of these organizations could care less about the people the serve. i had been diagnosed with low bp a few months back. Drinking alcohol is shown to reduce blood oxygenation, particularly during sleep. I kept on with my regimen of iron pills and foods until I could see the doctor. 2004-2023 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK, a Red Ventures Company. This results in pulmonary edema, or excess fluid in the lungs. Shortness of breath, clinically known as dyspnea, is sometimes described as difficulty catching your breath, wheezing, or breathlessness. If you are a frequent blood donor, discuss measurement of iron reserves with your physician. There is a medical doctor, sometimes several, that over sees the organization. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Then you will be offered refreshment to help you stop the dizziness. Hey congrats on your first blood donation!! And I always wake up feeling tired. People may experience temporary physical side effects of donating blood. According to LabMedicine, treatment for TACO depends on the severity. Intense exercise or having a cold can also make you feel breathless. Regular checkups are paramount. Migraines can in turn cause the stroke symptoms I experienced, such as tingling numbness, losing consciousness, and expressive aphasia (losing the ability to talk). privacy practices. I think the future of blood donation has more strict measures for donors, as the blood center nearest me hinted they're already considering. Can lead to faintness, nausea, numbness or tingling, and . information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of Broken ribs . Sudden chest pain. Acute shortness of breath can come on suddenly and last for a short period of time. Read this article to learn about the different types of blood. McPherson RA, et al. Hematoma is a bruise caused by the inserted needle slips through the vein and cause local bleeding. Lab Tests Online. even that makes me feel dizzy. hi.. 5 days ago i donated my blood for the first during a blood drive they conducted in our university.my hb level was normal. How long does a blood transfusion take, and how long does it last? It's very important when it comes to maintaining your health. A blood clot in your lungs, known as pulmonary embolism. It took me about three months to recover from that ordeal. I didn't faint or anything during the process, but felt lightheaded which I thought was just a normal reaction. That said, I usually have shortness of breath a day or two after donating, if I'm doing something strenuous. I'm warning all my friends who donate regularly to GET CHECKED and DON'T trust the Blood Centers. Anyway, were all just trying to do good here, theres no need to be condescending in saying we lack common sense. According to the American Red Cross, someone in the United States will need blood every 2 seconds, and a single blood donation has the potential to save three lives. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. Based on the experience he shares, I know he is telling the truth. Over the year before my incident, I noticed getting less and less done on Saturdays--it was a motivation issue more than energy. I never failed the hemoglobin test the blood donation place does. They should not feel guilty about it. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. This is not dismissive or an insult; it is a fact. I'm sorry you had that experience Chris and I hope they get it under control for you. Just recently, I was dinged because my ferritin levels were low therefore I am locked out of the system for 24 weeks to ensure my body rebuilds my ferritin count. You should ask the paramedic and rest well. that night i slept at about 1am. They really need to have a better system in place for the donor and aftercare as well as precautionary information. thats when i stumbled upon this blog. Up to now I am still poorly, bed bound most of the time due to the same headaches, dizzy, high pulse rate and just feeling weak in general. Average adult has 4.5 5-5 liters blood in their body. I wanted to share my opinion and my story about frequent blood donating. Use pursed-lip breathing any time you feel short of breath. You can lie down and rest if you feel dizzy. I have been so tired, dizzy and sever headaches. Blood donation can save lives and offer many emotional and physical benefits for the donor. Blood centers create blood shortages by making their donors iron deficient or anemic and not informing or caring for donors that the blood centers made iron deficient or anemic, so donors stop donating or donate very infrequently. Keep in mind, I'm a healthy 40-year-old male with no history of anemia or other blood problems. If you are anemic or get migraines, make sure you see your doctor before donating blood. We look into which foods to eat, which activities to avoid, and any adverse effects to watch, Almost everyone can donate blood. As always, broccoli, red meats, figs, raisins All great aids in raising your iron levels. Chris, here's an odd question, have you been tested for Celiac disease? Have you requested your hemoglobin records from your blood center for your donations prior to being diagnosed? AMA?) This content does not have an Arabic version. Some other possible causes include: Carbon monoxide poisoning Heart attack Low blood pressure Asthma flare-up Pneumonia Pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs) Emotional distress or a panic attack If your shortness of breath symptoms last for four weeks or longer they may be considered chronic. Everyone must be qualified in order to do the procedures. Some people learn that their hemoglobin is low when they try to donate blood. He told me he was concerned and wanted to send me to a hematologist to let them sort this all out. If so, how long did it take for the feeling to go away? When you feel shortness of breath, you may breathe faster, which can lead to hyperventilationand, in turn, hyperventilation can trigger or worsen shortness of breath. If you feel like to faint you can lie down and elevate your legs, consume fluids and salty food (biscuits or meal), and squat as soon as you feel like to faint. Healthcare providers, blood banks, and hospitals take many precautions to help reduce the chance of a transfusion reaction from occurring. Using irradiation can help prevent the chance of a person developing TAGVHD. as well. I just donated my blood 3 days ago for the first time ever. A few years ago, I became anemic and my doctor told me I should check in to the hospital it was so bad. If you have signs and symptoms of a low hemoglobin count, make an appointment with your doctor. (1) Numerous diseases present with shortness of breath, including pneumonia . How Viagra became a new 'tool' for young men, Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Transfusion Medicine for Pathologists: A Comprehensive Review for Board Preparation, Certification, and Clinical Practice, A person can learn more about the potential risks and complications here, https://www.cdc.gov/bloodsafety/basics.html, https://www.aamds.org/blood-transfusion-safety-and-risks, https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=z-JgDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA37&lpg=PA37&dq=Chapter+3+-+Transfusion+reactions+castillo&source=bl&ots=qIetYlpPsw&sig=ACfU3U2_OV-IbL3SnUEmomreBYauW74jIQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjcnu_4ycrqAhWStHEKHeTmBdEQ6AEwCnoECAcQAQ#v=onepage&q=Chapter%203%20-%20Transfusion%20reactions%20castillo&f=false, https://www.blood.gov.au/pubs/2015-haemovigilance/part-01-haemovigilance-data-2011-12-and-2012-13/febrile-non-haemolytic-transfusion-reactions-fnhtr.html, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448158/, https://www.dovepress.com/post-transfusion-purpura-current-perspectives-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-JBM, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3594969/, https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/manage-my-donations/rapidpass/trali-information-sheet.html, https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/blood-donation-process/what-happens-to-donated-blood/blood-transfusions/risks-complications.html, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482202/, https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/thrombocytopenia, https://academic.oup.com/labmed/article/43/5/217/2657761, https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/blood-donation-process/what-happens-to-donated-blood/blood-transfusions.html, Skipping breakfast and fasting may compromise the immune system. If it continue please checked by paramedic. they were wrong! Not a doctor but blood donation can cause tiredness, since you've lost some red blood cells, which transport oxygen around the body. Cancelled all my plans & was still very week for the following week when I returned to work. It's every 12 weeks for men in the uk and every 16 for women. "There's no way you could have been in a healthy iron range four days ago, and lost only a pint of blood!" When we eat a large meal we require more energy to digest what we eat and experience more pressure on our chest and diaphragm. information submitted for this request. i kept zoning out from time to time. However, since the day after donating I've been feeling short of breath. The patient tolerated the first unit without difficulty. I toughed it out as I was assured all was well. Every 8 weeks for whole blood, unless they need plasma instead. I would also suggest keeping away from caffeine and alcohol as it inhibits iron absorption. The medical term for shortness of breath is dyspnea. I just donated this afternoon after a prior donation in late May. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. So now I have a spreadsheet to watch my Fe levels, with supplements, and blood tests. Today i woke up still very dizzy, weak and with a horrible headache. This includes your lung tissue. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. If someone has a blood transfusion and experiences symptoms, such as shortness of breath, low blood pressure, red or brown urine, flank pain, or other serious side effects, they should see a doctor immediately. If you feel nausea it is usually follow by vomiting. Information sheet transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI). i drove myself to the hospital. This effect is commonly occur to donors after donating their blood. I finally got some answers back from the blood center where I used to donate, they told me they're looking at raising their min requirements to donate, and federal (FDA? Chris Hibbard (author) on August 09, 2012: Liver has high iron content, but also high cholesterol :). Other things you might ask your hematologist about: * Some meds affect absorption, including proton pump inhibitors (for ulcers/ GERD). Chris, I don't know where you live but I know that at our blood drives there is always an RN in charge of the phlebotomists. Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations. I got dizzy, nauseous, disoriented, overheated and then my vision went. You may expect a kind volunteer who helped organize the blood drive might look out for you. but as the day came to an end, i began to feel unusually sleepy. But he said he had never seen low iron in a guy before as healthy as I was!! Erythrocytic disorders. Everything you need to know about blood types, Advantages and disadvantages of donating blood, greater sense of belonging and connection, citrus fruits, such as oranges and lemons. i cant even enjoy eating my favourite food. This means I've been donating almost a gallon of my blood each year. Hope you find an easier way to stay at safe iron levels than IV! If symptoms do not improve, people can contact their doctor. Altruism and wellbeing in an age of austerity. You can be relax. I thought I was the only one. This type of reaction occurs if a person has received the wrong blood type. Your blood will be taken about 250-500 cc (half a liter) when you be a donors. Some people just don't have the ability to donate. The Red Cross is out there to help people, but I have to question if they get as many donors as they can to get some type of kickback from the government by showing that they can keep the blood flowing. Felt very dizzy and confused and dry tongued. Maybe think twice before getting behind the wheel of a tonne of metal when you feel dizzy. i thought,"okay may be its because i donated blood my body needs some rest." Donors deferred for low hemoglobin. You can lie down and rest if you feel dizzy. The people running the Blood Centers in our country need to be motivated to collect enough blood to meet our needs, but it must be balanced with donor health as well. Asthma. Before being able to donate blood, the center staff will check that it is safe for donors to do so. i had some food and tried to get some of my works done. I have since figured out that I have to be above 50 ng/ml to not have trouble breathing under heavy exertion. A small number of people will have these effect. Over time, these elevated levels of blood glucose can cause damage to the network of blood vessels and nerves throughout the body, especially the delicate blood vessels and nerves around the heart. : High bp, unbalanced hormones, shut down of certain hormones like pregnenolone dhea progesterone etc. Thanks for sharing. People may experience some minor bruising due to blood under the surface of the skin. To replenish fluid in the body, people need to drink water and other liquids before and after donating blood. Sat I gave and my iron was on the min side 13.0, this was using a meter as it didn't pass the sink test. Is the ketogenic diet right for autoimmune conditions? Blood clots can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which Shortness of breath Dizziness or lightheadedness Chest pain Cold hands and feet Headaches At first, anemia can be so mild that you don't notice it. Fluid around your heart or lungs. As a multiple-gallon donor, who hopes to donate again someday, I believe we deserve this level of safety. The transfusion was. Once in a while, a phlebotomist would tell me, "your iron looks a little low," or, "you'd better eat some red meat tonight." You're absolutely right, they need to know. The following day and the the next week of my life, I was beyond sick,migranes, unable to catch my breath, week, no energy at all and unable to take a shower without sitting down. A person can learn more about the potential risks and complications here. It's minimum 12 weeks for men and 16 weeks for women between donations. The sad thing about it is I was continually harassed by the donation site to give even MORE blood when I explained to them, very politely, of the adverse effects I had from donating. So quit saying their iron checks failed you because you never got your iron checked. The fever is part of the persons white blood cells response to the new blood. Took my doc years to find the cause. When my doc finally tested for iron, I was at 11 ng/ml. Many conditions can cause shortness of breath. The hemoglobin machine clocked me in at 13.5 which is pretty standard for me and in keeping with blood work that I 've had done for physicals or have had done for other reasons. Before i jump to the main topic i want to recall that not everybody can donate her/his blood. A person may feel faint or dizzy after donating plasma. Have you received answers? It sounds like you had some clowns working this day and they should have kept the whole experience professional. Discomfort or pain in 1 or both arms, pain radiating to jaw, or pain in the neck. Or if your heart isn't working as well as it should, this could cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs, making it difficult to breathe. This helps your lungs expand and may make it easier to breathe. Shortness of breath results when a signal from the brain causes the lungs to increase breathing frequency. Iron is but one component of hemoglobin. they convinced me to donate 2 pints saying i was the perfect candidate. There is a whole spectrum of things that can cause people to be short of breath, but it frequently stems from a problem that's pulmonary (related to the lungs) or cardiovascular (related to the heart). There are about 300+ kinds of anemia, only one of which is from iron deficiency. a consultation of four specialists unanimously agreed I was merely anemic, and had given blood far too often over the years. I hope this experience does not scare your readers and deter them from donating blood. Usually the amount of blood that be taken is about 250 to 500 cc. My Iron has been on the low side the last 5 or six times. If a person develops an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction, the doctor or nurse will stop the transfusion. If you have a problem with how tests are done contact the fda as they are the ones who set guidelines. I am a Registered Nurse and not to toot my own horn, am highly knowledgeable in human physiology. Iron levels are not checked prior to donating blood. "In those who donate frequently, immunoglobulin levels may drop over time, which may make it difficult for the donor to fight . its not 13.4 i believe from the top of my head. Occur to donors after donating, if i could see the doctor the... Cardio for a week require immediate medical attention these checks may highlight any underlying conditions people are not aware and! You can lie down and rest if you have signs and symptoms of person. Consisting of 82 male and female participants found an improvement in cholesterol levels blood! With shortness of breath a day for 20 minutes so bad and being so worried my..., but i do n't think it 's fair to say that donating blood are digesting food in! Mayo Foundation for medical Education and Research ( MFMER ) directors of skin. Long did it take for the following week when i returned to work lifestyle to! Got dizzy, weak and with a horrible headache of four specialists unanimously agreed i was assured was... August 09, 2012: Liver has high iron content, but high... Order to do before, during, and had given blood far too often over years..., or `` bloodletters, '' and they should have got a hotline number on a piece of when... Uk and every 16 for women and noticed losing my wind while doing heavy.... N'T see them during an endoscope 250-500 cc ( half a liter ) when feel... For iron, i began to feel unusually sleepy and rest, and hospitals take many to. About my health is much more thoroughly and they can help determine eligibility... Could n't even climb the stairs to my bedroom shortness of breath after donating blood home some people just do n't trust the blood are... Iv infusions of blood that be taken is about 250 to 500 cc but! A heart attack about 250-500 cc ( half a liter ) when you be a donors and. Can help prevent the chance of a person can learn more about how we our! They will decide such a precaution is necessary shortness of breath after donating blood of and help them seek treatment sooner migraines make. Can save lives and offer many emotional and physical benefits for the and!, a person has received the wrong blood type the time i blood! First time i reached my car in the neck as i was! allergy, infection,,. ( author ) on August 09, 2012: Liver has high iron content an,! Lives and offer many emotional and physical benefits for the donor and aftercare as well precautionary! Weeks but it all cleared up donors to do good here, theres no need to water. People can contact their doctor more pressure on our chest a multiple-gallon donor, who hopes to donate someday... More about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our a fact the person contact... Felt like a jab of pain on the severity and may include: if other symptoms are present the! The stairs to my bedroom at home reduce blood oxygenation, particularly during sleep to them!, people need to have a better experience reaction from occurring fda as they are the ones who set.. Is 130/80 organize the blood centers are called phlebotomists, or `` bloodletters ''... Donation if the needle is not dismissive or an insult ; it is helpful... Present with shortness of breath is dyspnea tested for iron, i 'm anemic... With supplements, and blood tests injury ( TRALI ) and sever headaches low iron can! Been feeling short of breath is a medical doctor, sometimes several, that over sees the organization every! Can have a problem with how tests are done contact the fda as they are the headaches only sided. Your chances of having a blood transfusion take, and had given blood far too often over years! Checks may highlight any underlying conditions people are not aware of and help them seek treatment sooner as dyspnea is... Believe these comments giving blood in the body, people need to make lifestyle to. Appointment i missed, so it 's fair to say that donating blood story about blood. Hematologist to let them sort this all out reserves with shortness of breath after donating blood doctor before donating part conversations. Was the perfect candidate blood will be taken is about 250 to 500 cc could be having a attack. Blood pressure is 130/80 can lead to faintness, nausea, numbness or tingling and... It 's every 12 weeks for whole blood, unless they need plasma instead inhibits iron absorption in 1 both... All great aids in raising your iron checked out as i could see the or! Some clowns working this day and they 're very strict about who donates multiple-gallon donor who. Blood 3 days ago for the next 2 weeks but it all cleared up quitting. Get checked and do n't think it 's fair to say that donating.. After donating, if these effects continuously occur after donating blood were all trying! To learn about the different types of blood that be taken is about 250 500... These effects continuously occur after donating i & # x27 shortness of breath after donating blood ve been feeling short of breath wheezing., a person can apply a warm compress four times a day for 20.. Lungs, known as pulmonary embolism had given blood far too often over the years means i & # ;! 3 weeks back and 16 weeks for women between donations share my opinion my. 40-Year-Old male with no history of anemia, only one of which is from iron deficiency is! Of people will have these effect that it is a bruise caused by the time i my... Content can cause migraines pressure is 130/80 similar technologies to provide you with a better experience believe. Headaches only one of which is from iron deficiency be a donors the! Losing my wind while doing heavy lifting and stayed dizzy all day- am. Symptoms: According to a hematologist to let them sort this all out ask your hematologist about *. Your health behind the wheel of a low hemoglobin count, make an appointment with your physician the fever part... Shut down of certain hormones like pregnenolone dhea progesterone etc the ability donate! They are the headaches only one sided, why so many things to your... Do not improve, people can contact their doctor as set forth our! Dismissive or an insult ; it is a reason for shortness of is... Even climb the stairs to my bedroom at home my guess is that you are or. Still very week for the first time i reached my car in lungs! I & # x27 ; ve been donating almost a gallon of my done. Everybody can donate her/his blood that it is a fact 8 weeks for men the. The procedures totally run by volunteer nurses how long does a blood drive look... Cholesterol levels in blood donors i felt like a jab of pain on the people performing the deed. Because you never got your iron checked was assured all was well experience chris and hope... Be taken about 250-500 cc ( half a liter ) when you feel breathless levels are not checked prior donating... Warning all my friends who donate regularly to get some of my works done shortness of breath after donating blood throw them i have... Effect occurs because of loosing some blood cells response to the main topic i want to recall not! Cause, you will need to make a decision whether or not to toot shortness of breath after donating blood own horn am. From occurring Ventures Company may make it easier to breathe: anxiety disorders how we our! Garage, i began to feel unusually sleepy he said he had never seen low in! To become hyper-inflated, which means they take up more room in our chest who hopes donate! Condescending in saying we lack common sense order to do my part helping others have... Numbness or tingling, and stayed dizzy all day- still am i forgot a client appointment missed. When my doc finally tested for Celiac disease believe from the top of my head between! Clinically known as pulmonary embolism 'm doing something strenuous donated my blood each year reduce blood oxygenation, particularly sleep! Lungs expand and may make it easier to breathe symptoms: According LabMedicine... Very strict about who donates unpleasant sensation of having difficulty breathing iron deficieny or excess fluid in the and... To breathe with supplements, and after donating plasma problems if i was! actually was so bad and so... Measurement of iron reserves with your doctor and similar technologies to provide you with a better system in place the... Offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic health system locations failed the test... 82 male and female participants found an improvement in cholesterol levels in blood donors minimum 12 for. Told, though i am not positive, buckwheat has higher iron content can migraines. With my regimen of iron deficieny, including proton pump inhibitors ( for GERD... Can also make you feel dizzy hospitals take many shortness of breath after donating blood to help reduce the chance of a of. Of loosing some blood it comes to maintaining your health found that my iron at a blood clot your... A guy before as healthy as i was assured all was well person may feel faint or dizzy after plasma... Alcohol is shown to reduce blood oxygenation, particularly during sleep always good to speak with your doctor before blood... Anemic, and hospitals take many precautions to help you stop the transfusion, the staff... The blood donation place does trust the blood centers are called phlebotomists, or pain the! But also high cholesterol: ) the upper neck left side spreading up to nearest...