Question about donating blood

Livi_Loves_Pink
Livi_Loves_Pink Posts: 754
edited September 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I'm going to a blood drive on tuesday, and I have a question:

Does a person need more calories after donating blood?

I ask this partly because I wanna know, and partly because I really hate the whole blood giving process but getting to eat more would kinda make it worth it(I'll donate either way though!) :laugh:

But seriously, I really hate needles. Especially when they are being poked into my vein. :indifferent:

Replies

  • Livi_Loves_Pink
    Livi_Loves_Pink Posts: 754
    I'm going to a blood drive on tuesday, and I have a question:

    Does a person need more calories after donating blood?

    I ask this partly because I wanna know, and partly because I really hate the whole blood giving process but getting to eat more would kinda make it worth it(I'll donate either way though!) :laugh:

    But seriously, I really hate needles. Especially when they are being poked into my vein. :indifferent:
  • Sunibc22
    Sunibc22 Posts: 330
    I am pretty sure you don't need more calories. But you should eat a decent meal not too long before and have a small snack right after. You also shouldn't work out that day....especially after. Sorry for the bad news of no extra calories!! :grumble:
  • Livi_Loves_Pink
    Livi_Loves_Pink Posts: 754
    Awww, too bad! :laugh: I already kinda figured that, since the nurses would probably have mentioned it, and no one has said anything about it in the past. Can't blame a girl for trying though, right? :wink:

    I guess a good excuse not to work out is something though. :bigsmile:
  • connieq288
    connieq288 Posts: 1,102 Member
    Just make sure you dont have low iron. I like to give blood but at times have been turned away because of it. I have also almost passed out from the feeling it has given me. If it makes you feel better bring a juice with you and maybe something to snack on. And like the post above make sure you eat something first.

    Connie
  • Ezzie
    Ezzie Posts: 665 Member
    Aww, c'mon...you have to burn extra calories to remake the pint you gave!!! The body doesn't do anything for free. Think this might take some more research. MAybe not a huge number but sumptin!!
    Ez
  • cp005e
    cp005e Posts: 1,495 Member
    Also, make sure to drink plenty of liquids before and after giving blood. The Red Cross will usually give you some juice and cookies right after and have you stick around for a little bit if you are feeling dizzy/woozy.

    Good for you! :heart:
  • shorerider
    shorerider Posts: 3,817 Member
    Where do I sign up???

    Just found this on the Mayo Clinic website, so you know it's good fact:

    "You burn about 650 calories by donating one pint of blood."
  • Ezzie
    Ezzie Posts: 665 Member
    Where do I sign up???

    Just found this on the Mayo Clinic website, so you know it's good fact:

    "You burn about 650 calories by donating one pint of blood."

    here's the addy

    http://www.mayoclinic.org/donateblood/know.html
    its waaayyyy at the bottom
    :bigsmile:
  • Livi_Loves_Pink
    Livi_Loves_Pink Posts: 754
    Wow! That's more than I burn with my exercise.
  • OomarianneoO
    OomarianneoO Posts: 689 Member
    Where do I sign up???

    Just found this on the Mayo Clinic website, so you know it's good fact:

    "You burn about 650 calories by donating one pint of blood."

    Are you serious? Is this true? Hmmm...if it is, sign me up!!
  • shorerider
    shorerider Posts: 3,817 Member
    Just found this that explains why:
    Your blood is constantly recycling, and it is the loss of haemoglobin/iron when you donate blood that triggers synthesis of more RBC. This process takes a few days, and could burn about 600 cals. The same thing happens if you get a viral infection etc....
  • BrandNewLaura
    BrandNewLaura Posts: 1,650 Member
    Where do I sign up???

    Just found this on the Mayo Clinic website, so you know it's good fact:

    "You burn about 650 calories by donating one pint of blood."

    Wow! That's amazing! I burnt that many calories today but I did two INTENSE hour long workouts...one this morning and one this evening...I have always wanted to donate blood, but the phlebotomists have trouble getting blood out of me when they have to for lab work...but I may just need to super hydrate and donate some blood...650 calories is awesome!
  • OomarianneoO
    OomarianneoO Posts: 689 Member
    Just found this that explains why:
    Your blood is constantly recycling, and it is the loss of haemoglobin/iron when you donate blood that triggers synthesis of more RBC. This process takes a few days, and could burn about 600 cals. The same thing happens if you get a viral infection etc....

    Woohoo! The blood mobile unit parks in front of my office building once a month. I've always had the intention of making out there to donate, but don't like the thought of needles too much either. This is motivation enough for me to get my butt out there next time. :smile:
  • Ezzie
    Ezzie Posts: 665 Member
    OK folks.....I'm asking my niece who is a new Doc....see if she can give us a 'real' documented answer. I have seen the Mayo one cited all over the net and think it might work as the quick and dirty answer, but seems far from complete. I'll keep ya posted.
    Ez
  • Phoenix_Rising
    Phoenix_Rising Posts: 11,417 Member
    Heehee, what a horrible reason for me to want to donate!!









    (I already had a coworker henpeck me about it, and I had decided I'll brave the needle during the next blood drive at work in October.)
  • jlwhelan1
    jlwhelan1 Posts: 664
    Please donate and donate often.

    My son had six units when he was three days old during his heart repairs.

    You never know whose life you will save.:heart:
  • pinkpixies
    pinkpixies Posts: 277
    I haven't donated in a little over a year. I have to take insane amounts of iron suppliments just to get my iron high enough to donate. :laugh: I love donating though! Makes me feel like I'm doing something important.
  • soup78
    soup78 Posts: 667 Member
    I'm getting flashbacks.....:indifferent: Oh, man. I hated the way I felt after giving blood the last time. But, I didn't eat enough before and almost passed out during the process. Yeah, they laid me down and brought me cookies, the whole nine yards. Felt pretty silly, too. I knew to drink plenty of water, but should've had a fulfilling meal beforehand as well. I'm still gonna do it again, though!

    It's a very rewarding feeling just knowing that you're blood could help save a life.
  • pinkpixies
    pinkpixies Posts: 277
    I'm getting flashbacks.....:indifferent: Oh, man. I hated the way I felt after giving blood the last time. But, I didn't eat enough before and almost passed out during the process. Yeah, they laid me down and brought me cookies, the whole nine yards. Felt pretty silly, too. I knew to drink plenty of water, but should've had a fulfilling meal beforehand as well. I'm still gonna do it again, though!

    It's a very rewarding feeling just knowing that you're blood could help save a life.

    Same thing happened to me last time. :laugh: I got super dizzy when I tried to sit up...and they made me lay back down and brought me juice and pb crackers. hehe
  • dothompson
    dothompson Posts: 1,184 Member
    Where do I sign up???

    Just found this on the Mayo Clinic website, so you know it's good fact:

    "You burn about 650 calories by donating one pint of blood."

    Good to know, I donated yesterday. I guess it's compensation for the fact that they tell you not to do any strenuous exercise for 24 hours.
  • songbyrdsweet
    songbyrdsweet Posts: 5,691 Member
    Where do I sign up???

    Just found this on the Mayo Clinic website, so you know it's good fact:

    "You burn about 650 calories by donating one pint of blood."

    Good to know, I donated yesterday. I guess it's compensation for the fact that they tell you not to do any strenuous exercise for 24 hours.

    That, and the fact that your oxygen-carrying capacity will be looowwwwwwwwwww. You'd do about as well as trying to run a marathon at en elevation 1,000 feet higher than you're used to. :laugh:
  • JeremyInvincible
    JeremyInvincible Posts: 264 Member
    I'm proud of you Livi!

    You're giving a gift that will potentially save someone's life.

    You rule!

    Just take it easy and don't stress it. I have given probably over 30 times in my life and it's been completely easy going each time. Just make sure you eat a decent breakfast before you go and then eat a little something afterwards. The needle really doesn't hurt, it's more of a pinch. In fact, I have gotten to the point where I like to watch it anymore, it's kind of a neat process.

    Anyway, just wanted to give you props for taking the step. Woo Livi woo!!!
  • Phoenix_Rising
    Phoenix_Rising Posts: 11,417 Member
    The needle really doesn't hurt, it's more of a pinch. In fact, I have gotten to the point where I like to watch it anymore, it's kind of a neat process.

    :noway: :sick: :frown:

    As many times in my life as I've been stuck, I still cannot fathom watching "the process", shall we say. The thought of it makes my stomach churn.
  • msarro
    msarro Posts: 2,748 Member
    Blood banks are an evil pyramid scheme devised by Dracula and his minions of the night :noway:
  • GoGetterMom
    GoGetterMom Posts: 852 Member
    My husband donates regularly. Over his lifetime, he has given many many gallons. He hydrates well and always has a meal before he goes. We had a daughter who had a plasma issue and he has done that as well.

    Don't think about the needle if you are not comfortable with the thought. THINK ABOUT THE LIFE YOU ARE GIVING. Kudos to those who donate and thank you! :heart:
  • MFS27
    MFS27 Posts: 549 Member
    I donate about every 8 weeks - since I'm an O-Neg I get lots of fan mail from the red cross, lol. Hard to turn them down!

    Anyways, I also have been turned away for low iron, and once almost turned away for low BP (90/60) - the low BP was due to insufficient hydration and it took so looooooooooong for that pint to drip out - ugh, lesson learned!

    I take multi-vitamin everyday and make a point to hydrate well beforehand and it goes pretty painlessly. They do have an assortment of yummy snacks, drinks for us afterwards which I guess negates the calorie deficit earned through donating, lol, but hey I guess some things we do can be purely altrustic, right? :wink:
  • Phoenix_Rising
    Phoenix_Rising Posts: 11,417 Member
    I donate about every 8 weeks - since I'm an O-Neg I get lots of fan mail from the red cross, lol. Hard to turn them down!

    Anyways, I also have been turned away for low iron, and once almost turned away for low BP (90/60) - the low BP was due to insufficient hydration and it took so looooooooooong for that pint to drip out - ugh, lesson learned!

    I take multi-vitamin everyday and make a point to hydrate well beforehand and it goes pretty painlessly. They do have an assortment of yummy snacks, drinks for us afterwards which I guess negates the calorie deficit earned through donating, lol, but hey I guess some things we do can be purely altrustic, right? :wink:


    While I'm not type O blood, your post reminded me that I had a special designation-- CMV Hero. Never got a straight answer on what that meant back in 1999 when I donated, but I just looked it up and now feel super guilty that I haven't gone back to donate. I hope I'm still CMV-negative.... I'll be donating every 3 months now!

    From one guy's blog:
    I was at the Red Cross the other day giving blood and the Nurse asked me if I knew what the sticker on my Red Cross card meant. I of course don't speak Red Cross so the initials CMV Hero meant nothing to me. Apparently, CMV causes a mild fever in people with a healthy immune system, but usually no further problems. It can be a more serious infection, however, for people with compromised immunity, often leading to encephalitis and viral pneumonia. Once you have been exposed to CMV you are CMV-positive - about 80% of the population is CMV positive - and you can't go back to CMV-negative. The Red Cross screens all new blood donors for CMV antibodies, and designates those that are CMV-negative as "CMV Heroes" because of their ability to help special patients, like infants, cancer patients, transplant patients, and others with compromised immune systems who need CMV-negative transfusions. I have debated lately if I should keep giving blood … however, knowing that I'm helping patients that maybe couldn't get the blood the needed is enough that I'll keep going. What I don't look forward to is sometime in the future coming in contact with CMV and having to watch the nurse take the sticker off of my card.


    From a Red Cross release:
    CMV, or Cytomegalovirus, is a common virus which approximately half the adult
    population in the U.S. has had at some point in their lives. Most people don’t
    ever feel sick from it. Donors like Blades, that are CMV-negative, help special
    patients, like infants, cancer patients, transplant patients, and others with
    compromised immune systems who need CMV-negative transfusions
  • lovemuffins
    lovemuffins Posts: 91
    Hope this helps...

    *7%: How much of your body weight blood makes up.
    Since a pint is a pound, you temporarily lose a pound every time you donate blood. (Note: it only says temporarily lose a pound).

    *Giving blood will not decrease your strength.

    *It takes less than 24 hours for your body to regenerate the fluid volume lost during a donation. You replace red blood cells within four weeks, and it takes eight weeks to restore the iron lost after donating.

    In June I coordinated a blood drive in honor of my niece who was diagnosed with Accute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) at the end of April. It was the most successful one in our community for the year (so far). On the first day of the drive I was deferred due to low iron (I was only 1 point off). I was told to take a pre-natal or an iron vitamin and was set to donated the day after. I am A- (only 6% of the population) so they're hounding me to donate again since my 56 days are up.

    For everyone that donates and plans on donating thank you for helping out others. From a person who loves somebody that needs transfusions it means a lot!
  • Livi_Loves_Pink
    Livi_Loves_Pink Posts: 754
    This is not the first time I've donated, but I still get freaked out every single time. :indifferent:

    Especially now since the last time there was a little bit of an issue that turned out to be very painful. I won't go into details cause I don't wanna scare anyone away from donating, and I'm sure it was just a fluke - but anyway, I just get all nervous at the thought of having something poked into my veins. I get kinda weirded out just when something touches the underside of my wrist, ya know the part where the veins are visable? Just, eeek, makes me shiver. :huh:

    I've never had an issue with my iron before, but I know my sister-in-law gets turned away more often then not because of it. I guess some people are more prone to it. I have gotten a little queasy, but I think it's more mental than physical. :ohwell:

    Thanks for all the support though, guys! I know it's a really important thing to do, so I just gotta suck it up! :laugh:
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