Iron Levels
Frequently Asked Questions
As a generous blood donor, your health and safety are our main priority. Whether this is your first time donating or you have been giving blood for years, it's important to know how your hemoglobin level, which is an iron/protein molecule in your red blood cells, may be affected by donating blood and steps to follow to ensure you feel your best.
What is hemoglobin and why is it important?
Hemoglobin is an iron/protein molecule in red blood cells that allows our red blood cells to carry oxygen to cells, tissues, and organs. During the donation process, we measure your hemoglobin level to ensure your iron levels are high enough for you to donate safely. Each time you make a blood donation (which includes red blood cells), you lose some iron when you donate. If you lose iron faster than you can replace it through your diet, you may become anemic. Many donors have adequate iron levels to donate blood safely, but frequent blood donors should be aware that blood donation may lead to low iron levels or anemia.
What are the symptoms of low iron?
Abnormal cravings (clay, cornstarch, dirt, ice, and/or paper products)
Brittle nails
Chest pain
Cold hands and feet
Difficulty breathing and/or concentrating
Dizziness
Fatigue
Feeling tired or weak, especially when trying to exercise or walk up stairs
Headaches
High heart rate
Irritability
Pale skin
Restless let syndrome (the feeling that you must keeping moving your legs at night)
Shortness of breath
Sore tongue
*See your healthcare provider if you have any of the above symptoms.
What are other causes of low iron levels?
In addition to frequent blood donation, low iron stores can result from:
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Bleeding and/or issues with the digestive tract (certain diseases, polyps, stomach ulcers)
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Blood thinning medications
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Certain medications (especially antacids)
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Chronic disease (diabetes, kidney disease, severe arthritis)
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Decreased iron absorption from certain medications
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Diets with low iron intake
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Immune destruction of red blood cells
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Iron deficiency
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Menstruation and pregnancy
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Other types of blood loss (e.g. stomach ulcers, polyps)
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Menstruation and pregnancy
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Vitamin deficiencies (e.g., folic acid, B-12)
What are the causes of anemia?
Other causes of anemia not related to low iron stores include:
How can I increase my iron level?
To increase your iron, we encourage you to
- Consume adequate amounts of vitamin C to aid with iron absorption
- Speak with your doctor or dietician about vitamin supplements containing iron
- Consume iron rich foods which include:
- Meat (beef, chicken, lamb, pork, turkey, veal)
- Organ meats (kidney, liver)
- Seafood (clams, non-canned salmon, sardines, shrimp, tuna)
- Leafy green vegetables (broccoli, collards, chard, kale, spinach)
- Legumes (white/red baked beans, chickpeas, lentils, soybeans)
- Eggs
- Nuts and seeds
- Iron-fortified breads and cereals
- Whole-meal bread and pasta
- Raw or lightly cooked foods and juices rich in vitamin C to increase iron absorption
- Grapefruit, kiwi, lemon, mango, melon, orange, papaya, pineapple, strawberry, tangerine
- Broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, chard, kale, green/red pepper, sweet/white potato, winter squash
- Consume foods that reduce iron absorption at least one hour prior to eating iron-rich foods:
- Chocolate
- Coffee, tea
- Popcorn
- Red wine
- Cheese, ice cream, milk, yogurt
- Canned sardines or salmon
- Blackberries, blueberries, grapes, pomegranate, raspberries
- Cook food in an iron skillet
- *For a complete list of iron-rich food sources, visit www.cdc.gov.
Iron Supplementation
When should you consider taking iron supplements?
- If you donate whole blood or red blood cells more than twice a year
- If you donate double red cells more than once a year
- If you donate plates more than eight times a year
- If you have difficulty maintaining a diet high in iron-rich foods
Speak with your healthcare provider before taking iron supplements
- Too much iron can be harmful
What are the side effects of supplemental iron?
- Constipation
- Dark stool
- Nausea
- Stomach pains
Other important information
- Iron may be supplemented as an iron-fortified vitamin (better) or iron alone (best)
- Iron should be taken with food
- Antacids can decrease the absorption of iron
Maintain your iron level so you can stay healthy, and continue to save lives!
DO I NEED TO SEE A PHYSICIAN?
LifeServe Blood Center cannot determine the cause of your low hemoglobin level. If you find at the time of your donation that you do have a low hemoglobin level and you are not a frequent blood donor, then you may wish to have your hemoglobin level rechecked at your doctors office.
If you donate three or more times a year and do not have other causes of anemia or low iron levels, your low hemoglobin could be related to blood donation. Simply increasing the amount high iron foods in your routine diet or taking iron supplements should restore your iron levels to normal during the next several months.
CAN I CONTINUE TO DONATE BLOOD?
Most likely! Approximately 10 percent of potential donors are not able to donate blood at one time or another due to a low hemoglobin level. If your hemoglobin is low, we encourage you to follow the steps above to increase your level prior to your next donation. If you received an abnormally low level and/or are symptomatic, please speak with your primary physician before you attempt to donate again.
WHAT IF I'M NOT ELIGIBLE TO DONATE BLOOD?
Recruit a suitable donor
Volunteer to assist or organize mobile blood drives
Monetary donations are always welcome to help ensure that LifeServe can continue to provide safe and adequate blood to those in need