Supplements

[taw]

Hi there, because I am taking Vitamin C tablets, I'm wondering whether I should stop taking the Vitamin C tablets 1 week before I go for blood donation. Is there a need to? :?:

Thanks. :wink:

[Shan Xue]

No need. Vitamin C is not considered as medication. :wink:

[taw]

Hey Shan Xue, thanks alot. Hope that my iron level is high enough when I go for my next donation. :D

Oh.. I have another question. Suppose I go 1 week earlier for my blood donation (11th week), the minimum haemoglobin level required is still the same? (ie, 12.5g/dl for males and 12.0g/dl for females)

Thanks alot. :wink:

[evehow]

Will they allow you to donate in the 11th week?

When I try to make appointment online, the website shows an "eligibility date", i.e. I cannot donate before that date.

Think you better call the blood bank to check first, otherwise you might make a wasted trip. The blood bank has all the records of donations so if you try too early, they may refuse to let you donate.

Haemoglobin level requirements are the same; it changes if you have made any travels or are donating platlets etc, but not when you donate "earlier".

[taw]

Hi evehow, they allow us to donate in the 11th week. For my previous donation, I went on the 11th week, but my haemoglobin level was about 11.8g/dl, and hence I was rejected. :?

[Shan Xue]

Hey Shan Xue, thanks alot. Hope that my iron level is high enough when I go for my next donation. :D

Oh.. I have another question. Suppose I go 1 week earlier for my blood donation (11th week), the minimum haemoglobin level required is still the same? (ie, 12.5g/dl for males and 12.0g/dl for females)

Thanks alot. :wink:

Hi taw,

You can donate on the 10th week if you meet minimum hamoglobin level (13.0 g/dl for males and 12.5 g/dl for females). slightly higher requirement than if you donate on the 12th week and beyond.

[taw]

Alright! Thanks Shan Xue and evehow. :D

[Shan Xue]

taw,

You are welcomed :D

[Janice]

May I know if I am taking supplements like: Vitamin C plus and Brands Capsaicin+Green Tea Extract with Essence of chicken daily, am I eligible to donate blood?

Or do I need to stop this supplements for a period before the donation?

Thanks in advance. :)

[laine]

Dear Janice,

You need not stop taking the supplements mentioned. You can donate blood anytime. These supplements are fine.

Thank you for your support towards the national blood programme :)

Cheers!

[Janice]

Great! Thanks for the advise.:)

[Janice]

Went to the donation drive this afternoon, was told that 1 of the supplements that I have been taking daily "BRAND'S Capsacin+Green tea Extract" contains "Garcinia Cambogia Extract" which can be considered as type of herbal, was being advised to stop for 3 days before the next blood donation.

Nevertheless, when I come to the stage after checking of my blood pressure, I was told that I am not able to proceed further...was told me that my veins are too thin (both arms) that the needle might be "too big" for me... :"( And they have a record of my unsuccessful attempt to donate blood due to the same reason in 1993...I remembered many many years back I have got a big bruise after that. Quite disappointed...:(

Do you all know how many people are having the same problem like me? I even joke with the examiner that my skin are too thick that my veins hide underneath...hahaha....:rolleyes:

[Shan Xue]

i have a male friend who was rejected because the nurse cannot find his veins. they are hidden. i heard Red Cross volunteer narrated a case whereby a school girl was rejected because of thin veins. the girl did some weight lifting for a couple of months and that increased her vein size. she managed to donate after that.

clench and unclench your fist while holding the finger exercise tool also make the vein more visible.

[Janice]

Then I got to carry weights to "explore" my muscles lah....haha...

[Shan Xue]

Here is a relevant Q&A:




Q. I took some health supplements but was told that I was not able to donate blood. Why is that so?
[/URL]
A. Thank you for your enquiry on our policy regarding the consumption of herbal health products before blood donation.
Donors who have consumed products containing herbal constituents are advised to abstain from blood donation for a minimum period of 3 days. The reasons for abstaining from blood donation are twofold.
First, patients who need blood products may be allergic to some of these herbal constituents. These herbal substances will be present in the blood of donors who consume them.
Second, proprietary herbal tonics and concoctions usually have numerous herbal constituents and additives, many of which are often not stated by the manufacturer on the medication bottles and boxes. These unknown constituents may pose a hazard to those receiving blood from donors who have consumed them.
We advise on a 3-day period of abstaining from herbal products because it takes usually 3 days to clear them from our bodily system.
We hope we have managed to clear your doubts and look forward to serving you at the Bloodbank@HSA.
[URL="http://enews.donorweb.org/2006/05/02/donors’-voices/#more-147"]http://enews.donorweb.org/2006/05/02/donors%e2%80%99-voices/#more-147 (http://forums.donorweb.org/)

[Janice]

Thanks, I've got it... :)

[Shan Xue]

Vitamin supplements such as vitamin C and supplements from natural food such as ginger or garlic are fine. Only herbal supplements need to be avoided for 3 days before donation.

[maxxken]

I was wondering if anyone out there can enlighten me. Recently, I have started taking Saw Palmetto for my hair problem, is it okay for me to continue donating blood?? My next donation falls on Nov. Thanks in advance!!

[louis]

I was wondering if anyone out there can enlighten me. Recently, I have started taking Saw Palmetto for my hair problem, is it okay for me to continue donating blood?? My next donation falls on Nov. Thanks in advance!!

Hi,

This seems like a tricky question because your medication does not seem to be included in any of the categories listed in Guidelines on medication or vaccination (http://www.hsa.gov.sg/publish/hsaportal/en/health_services/blood_donation/can_i_donate/when_not_to_donate/medication_or_vaccination.html) for blood donation published by Health Services Authority (http://www.hsa.gov.sg/publish/hsaportal/en/health_services/blood_donation/can_i_donate.html) of Singapore. I suggest that the best for you to do is to call them directly

Bloodbank@HSA
Tel: 6223 5640 / 6213 0626

Louis.

[maxxken]

Hi Louis!

Thanks. Will call them next week. Just hope can get a green light from them.

[laine]

Hi Maxxken,

Although Saw Palmetto is an extract from a plant call Serenoa repens, it is used as alternative medicine. As it may increased risk of bleeding and may be harmful to an unborn baby, it is advisable that blood donor should stopped taking it for at least 3 days before blood donation.

Thanks! For further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact the Bloodbank@HSA at 6213-0626 and ask to speak with a medical officer on duty.

Best regards,
Elaine

[maxxken]

Although Saw Palmetto is an extract from a plant call Serenoa repens, it is used as alternative medicine. As it may increased risk of bleeding and may be harmful to an unborn baby, it is advisable that blood donor should stopped taking it for at least 3 days before blood donation.

Thanks! For further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact the Bloodbank@HSA at 6213-0626 and ask to speak with a medical officer on duty.

Best regards,
Elaine

Hi Elaine,

Noted with thanks! Will call MO this week. Meanwhile, i have already stopped the medication.

Thanks!
Maxx

[seankoh]

Hi all, just to add in another information,

i just made a call to HSA blood bank to clarify this

for those who have diarrhea and having medications on
1. Hydrosil tablet
2. dhamotil tablet

& with no fever

After u stop taking that medicine and ur stomache is feeling good, please wait for 7 days if u want to donate blood

Thanks Elaine for helping me in this. and I guess this Elaine is the one who replied this thread also..

[louis]

Hi all, just to add in another information,

i just made a call to HSA blood bank to clarify this

for those who have diarrhea and having medications on
1. Hydrosil tablet
2. dhamotil tablet

& with no fever

After u stop taking that medicine and ur stomache is feeling good, please wait for 7 days if u want to donate blood

Thanks Elaine for helping me in this. and I guess this Elaine is the one who replied this thread also..

Thanks for sharing this information. I am sure it will be very useful for other people in future.

Louis.

[naeropagnis]

hi... can i ask.... do i have to stop taking ferrous fumerate if i want to donate blood.....
thanks

[Shan Xue]

no need :)