Back in the day they used to finger prick you to test your iron to see if you qualify to donate. These days they just use your Hgb (hemoglobin).
There is cause for caution IMHO.
When one has sufficient iron (ferritin) their Hgb is usually at or above normal. When one has sufficient Hgb (but at low end of range) their iron (ferritin) can be deficient. It's a causal correlation but none the less a correlation. My HCT and Hgb were nicely placed at the low end of the range (intentional) but my iron (ferritin) has fallen just below normal - not good and it explains some unexplained symptoms.
Honestly I miss the finger prick and the blood sample dropping like a rock to the bottom of the tube of solution.
Just a word of caution to you guys who donate to keep blood less viscous. Keep an eye on your iron (ferritin).
There is cause for caution IMHO.
When one has sufficient iron (ferritin) their Hgb is usually at or above normal. When one has sufficient Hgb (but at low end of range) their iron (ferritin) can be deficient. It's a causal correlation but none the less a correlation. My HCT and Hgb were nicely placed at the low end of the range (intentional) but my iron (ferritin) has fallen just below normal - not good and it explains some unexplained symptoms.
Honestly I miss the finger prick and the blood sample dropping like a rock to the bottom of the tube of solution.
Just a word of caution to you guys who donate to keep blood less viscous. Keep an eye on your iron (ferritin).