Issues with Blood Donations

[ahooge 0]

i have been a regular, monhly platelet donor for about 3 years (they like my a-negative blood). i've been doing the low-carb thing since aug 07 and lost 46 pounds by the time i was banded in feb 08. i've lost 41 more since then.

just recently, (april and then again in june) i've not been able to donate because of a low pulse (44 and 48 bpm where the minimum is 50).

has anyone else encountered issues with their blood pressure, Iron levels, or pulse when donating blood or blood products?

[suzyt 0]

Are you taking any blood pressure medication? Maybe you don't need it anymore........

[ahooge 0]

no, i take no medication.

[betrthnever 107]

I had problems with low Iron pre-banding several times in a row. Took a while but I came around. Never heard of a problem with low pulse rate. Hmm. I was also banded in Feb '08 lost about the same amount.

I'm excited come August I'll be able to donate again! (my Dr wanted me to wait 6 months after surgery).

[chica 2]

I do platelets and/or whole blood donations, and while I was having low Iron issues pre-banding, I've been so focused on my Protein intake (and now eat red meat more often than before) that I'm acing the Iron part now! No problems at all for me -- did double platelets last week.

Your pulse does sound pretty low. Have you mentioned that to your doctor?