The Fatigue of Giving Blood

Hey Ashtray

Hey guys, just a quick one. I'm getting a physical done, and last time I did it they took a few vials of blood. I forget if I was really fatigued for the rest of the day (last time I did this was 2 years ago). Does giving that much blood generally tire you out? I have a big day tomorrow but I'd really like to get his part over with in the morning and not be screwed for the rest of the day.

Thanks!

Orogogus

When I do a blood donation (400-500 mL) I usually get tired to the point of having to take a nap for two or three hours that day. A few vials for blood tests shouldn't be as severe, I don't think.

Raziel

Did you make sure to eat right after, ashtray? Get a cheeseburger and a juice and relax for half an hour and you should be good to go.

Fizban140

You should not be tired at all unless you take in about 1200 calories a day, just make sure to eat enough food that day and then right after get some sugar.

Mr Blonde

I donate blood every 2-3 months or whatever the Red Cross recommends. I've never experienced fatigue or dizziness. But you should be sure to drink plenty of fluids and eat a balanced meal before donating. I gave once when I was dehydrated and I clotted during the process which resulted in a massive hemotoma.

RUNN1NGMAN

The amount of blood taken for routine blood work shouldn't affect you in any way. If anything's going to make you tired, it's the fasting beforehand that is often required.

Asiina

If you can't eat beforehand because of fasting, eat right after. Something with a lot of sugar. Juice and donuts works great.

I used to volunteer at blood donor clinics and we force feed you sugar before and after your donation to keep your strength up.

But really, just get as much sugar into you as soon as you can and it'll make the whole thing easier.

Just_Bri_Thanks

Make sure you are not dehydrated as well.

brandotheninjamaster

Careful if you smoke too, that nicotine will kick you in ass more then usual. I only said this because your user name is Hey Ashtray

Dog

Every time I give blood in pretty much any capacity I end up getting lightheaded (I usually don't leave the doctor/hospital for a good 30+ minutes after blood is taken). I also suffer from low blood pressure which is why this happens.

If this isn't the case, just make sure you eat and drink plenty of liquids and you should be fine.

stratslinger

The real answer is... it depends. On a lot of things.

Personally, as another regular Red Cross donor, I have trouble with fatigue extremely rarely (maybe light headed twice over dozens of donations) And this includes those times I've donated while dieting, so in my case my caloric intake didn't seem to make much difference.

I've seen others who pass out damn near every time they give blood. (I think you're remember if you were one of these folks! )

That said, a couple vials is a far cry from a pint. You _should_ be just fine. Just, as has been pointed out, make sure you get extra fluids back into you ASAP. The fluids themselves are more important to your system than the calories.

PeregrineFalcon

stratslinger wrote: »

I've seen others who pass out damn near every time they give blood. (I think you're remember if you were one of these folks! )

Technically wouldn't he not remember if he blacked out every time? :P

Dog

Trust me, you remember and it sucks

Naked-Celtic-Lady

I give blood and haven't had any problems with fatigue afterwards, make sure you drink a few glasses of water before and after the blood is taken. Also, I recommend a milkshake or something sweet after to get your sugar back up.

Milkshake...

Rook

The main things to worry about are that you eat well before hand, you apply enough pressure to the puncture site after the drawing so it forms a nice clot, don't get up too suddenly and take on plenty of fluid afterwards (but don't overdo it as that can be just as bad).

Some people will feint after giving trivial amounts, it's rare but it happens.

MegaMan001

The vials of blood they will take at a physical will amount to less than 30 mL of blood. The average body carries anywhere from 4.0 to 5.0 liters of the stuff.

The vials really shouldn't affect you and this represents more of a pyschological factor. Or there was something else going on at the time that made you fatigued (do you remember what else happened over two years ago on that day?)

If you're worried about the fatigue, just reschedule the physical - it's not as pressing as a good exam grade.

Thanatos

Yeah, if you're not actually giving blood, and it's just a physical, there shouldn't be any real fatigue from blood loss.

I mean, when you give blood, they take, like, five vials worth (which is way more than they'll take for a routine physical) just for testing before they take the pint.

Asiina

Thanatos wrote: »

Yeah, if you're not actually giving blood, and it's just a physical, there shouldn't be any real fatigue from blood loss.

I mean, when you give blood, they take, like, five vials worth (which is way more than they'll take for a routine physical) just for testing before they take the pint.

It depends what he tells his doctor during the physical. If he has some complaints that might result in blood tests they can take quite a few.

I went to my doctor complaining of feeling really tired and run down and he decided to test for a whole bunch of things. Had about 7 or 8 vials of blood taken.

poshniallo

'Giving blood' is not the same as having a blood test.

I have Crohns Disease, anemia, I'm 39 years old, I'm overweight and unfit, and having about 6 or more vials of blood taken doesn't make any difference to me.

Hey Ashtray

Hey guys. Thanks. I think I'll give it a shot. It's a physical for a job, and the company is pretty thorough with drug testing, STD's, etc. A lot of that is done through the urine test, but they want all sorts of shit from the blood test, BUN, Calcium and whatever else. I imagine I'll be fine though, thanks for the help

psycojester

Since thats done lets turn this into a thread about donating blood.

So whats every bodies fastest time for filling a bag. Mines 5.21.