# do you lie to donate blood? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 16, 2003, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-lie-to-donate-blood/175744 "2003-05-16T18:52:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![whiterabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/cab0a1/32.png) [@whiterabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whiterabbit)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2003, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-lie-to-donate-blood/175744/21 "2003-05-16T22:35:27Z")
Question: “do not use” sticker? What’s the point of going through with getting the blood drawn if you tell them to just toss it out? I’m a few pounds too light to donate, and it annoys me, but I’m not about to gain several unnecessary pounds JUST so I can donate. Your loss, my gain! _g_ ---
**Author:** ![porcupine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ac91a4/32.png) [@porcupine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/porcupine)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2003, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-lie-to-donate-blood/175744/22 "2003-05-16T22:42:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by whiterabbit \* > \*\*Question: “do not use” sticker? What’s the point of going through with getting the blood drawn if you tell them to just toss it out? > \*\* I think it’s if you start to feel guilty about lying. ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2003, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-lie-to-donate-blood/175744/23 "2003-05-16T22:58:48Z")
Nope, and it wouldn’t do me any good to lie to them, they won’t take my blood anyway. Sniff. It seems that the Red Cross’s criteria for your blood’s iron count (crit I think? medical peeps help me out here) is much higher than a Doctor’s, so while you may not be anemic medically speaking, the Red Cross considers you so. They require 38 crit or more, and my crit count is usually at around 32, or 33. (if I remember the numbers right below 30 is anemic). ---
**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2003, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-lie-to-donate-blood/175744/24 "2003-05-16T23:04:05Z")
Well, it’s not that the Red Cross considers you anemic per se, but they don’t want to _make_ you anemic by sucking out your red cells. ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2003, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-lie-to-donate-blood/175744/25 "2003-05-17T00:54:13Z")
No, I wouldn’t. I would be distressed if I could not donate, but I would definitely not lie. I have probably donated numerous gallons over the past fifteen years and I haven’t yet been rejected. Nevertheless, with several trips to the UK and Brazil over the past couple of years, I get grilled about precise dates and towns visited. In addition, last time, they told me my blood pressure was too high and had me sit in the corner for awhile until I was able to get it low enough to satisfy them. That’s why I’m going to the gym every day now. ---
**Author:** ![Lynne\_kilii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d26b3c/32.png) [@Lynne\_kilii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynne_kilii)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2003, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-lie-to-donate-blood/175744/26 "2003-05-17T01:00:02Z")
1 year after piercings and tattoos… I have 6 months left, and then I can donate. Unless I get the 2 more holes I’m planning on, or the tattoo. The Tattoo is prolly farther in the future, but the ear piercings? I wanna donate! ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2003, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-lie-to-donate-blood/175744/27 "2003-05-17T01:06:42Z")
It’s easy enough to raise your blood’s iron content. Any of these foods will help to raise your iron level. This is pretty much straight out of the handbook I got when I started working at [Lifesouth](http://www.lifesouth.org/) to support my damnable addiction to this “college” thing. Beef: Veal, pork, poultry. Seafood: Clams, sardines, shrimp, crabs and lobster. Veggies: Broccoli, brussel sprouts, lima beans, tomato juice, sweet potatoes, bean sprouts, green beans, beets and peas. Grain: Brown rice, bran, soybean, flour, pastas and wheat germ. Fruits: Berries, apricots, prunes, dried fruits, grapes, plums and watermelon. Snack foods: Raisins, peanuts, almonds, cashews and sunflower seeds. You can also take iron supplements or vitamins. ---
**Author:** ![porcupine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ac91a4/32.png) [@porcupine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/porcupine)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2003, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-lie-to-donate-blood/175744/28 "2003-05-17T01:30:07Z")
**Johnny Bravo** is right - there are plenty of ways to get iron from your diet. But beware iron supplements - they can wreak havoc with your digestive system (usually bind you up, but for some people, give you the trots). A lot of people just can’t handle them. You really shouldn’t take straight iron supplements without a doctor’s advice. A multi-vitamin with iron is less of a problem, and are recommended by a lot of doctors for women. Anyone know the stats on the percentage of women who fall below the Red Cross’ criteria for iron count? I believe it’s quite high because of, you know… the curse. 😉 One other thing to help increase your iron is to cook in cast iron cookware. The iron will leech into the food. My internist’s nurse recommended this when I couldn’t tolerate the iron supplements. Of course, I hardly ever cook, so it probably hasn’t helped much. Also a note that the iron in green veggies is absorbed much easier if the veggies are cooked, even just lightly steamed or blanched. I couldn’t find a great cite, but [http://www.applesforhealth.com/cookveg1.html](http://www.applesforhealth.com/cookveg1.html) We really are hijacking this thread. But at least it’s related to blood donations. And no one is flirting. Feel free to yell at us, **Pablito** ---
**Author:** ![Badtz\_Maru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e36b37/32.png) [@Badtz\_Maru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Badtz_Maru)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2003, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-lie-to-donate-blood/175744/29 "2003-05-17T02:41:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by porcupine \* > \*\*I think it’s if you start to feel guilty about lying. \*\* I think it’s so people who are being pressured to give blood don’t have to let their friends or co-workers know that their blood doesn’t meet the criteria. People might speculate if they saw you fill out the test but then not give blood. ---
**Author:** ![whiterabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/cab0a1/32.png) [@whiterabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whiterabbit)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2003, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-lie-to-donate-blood/175744/30 "2003-05-17T02:51:47Z")
But there are lots of reasons which kick you off of the potential donor list that aren’t compromising in any way – I don’t see why people (who presumably know you at least on a work basis) would speculate about your being turned down. Heck, your iron count could have been just a bit low. Also, I’d think most people who are interested in donating would have a pretty good idea of whether they can or not before going in, pressure from others or none. I’m a bit embarassed that I CAN’T but not because I did anything to earn that status except be a lightweight. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2003, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-lie-to-donate-blood/175744/31 "2003-05-17T02:56:10Z")
I’m borderline on the iron thing… and I know that the recommended foods don’t do it for me. I don’t know why - but, for me, I could eat apricot covered beef and broccoli for a week, and still come in under. The iron thing is annoying - I get turned down about as often as I’m let through… and it takes it’s toll on your desire to donate. It seems they could lower the limit. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2003, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-lie-to-donate-blood/175744/32 "2003-05-17T03:00:03Z")
There are other reasons to donate. Lifesouth, for example, has several programs to encourage donations. If you need blood during the 12 months following your donatio, they’ll pay all non-insured charges in the U.S. If you donate two times within a twelve-month period, your family (tax dependants) is covered under the same plan. If you donate three times, you can gift that donation to anyone you know, and they receive the benefits described above. And if 50% of any group, like a business or church or school, donate within a 12-month period, the entire organization is covered for a year. Of course, I think it would be pretty unethical to donate ‘bad’ blood just to get these discounts. Also, some people might enjoy being stabbed. ---
**Author:** ![JimBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/13edae/32.png) [@JimBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JimBob)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2003, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-lie-to-donate-blood/175744/33 "2003-05-17T03:07:44Z")
Hi Friends! What a great thread. My answer… No I do not lie to donate blood. That would be totally unethical. I have given just over 12 gallons of blood. I donate every three months. A person can give blood every fifty days. It is a great feeling to know that I am helping someone in need of this lifesaving tool. I encourage all of you to donate if you can. I know some folks can’t. It is also a mini health check-up, i.e. blood pressure, temp, iron test, etc. I have enjoyed good health for my 56 years and I am happy to be able to help someone in this way. Life is precious. Help if you can!🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Silentgoldfish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@Silentgoldfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silentgoldfish)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2003, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-lie-to-donate-blood/175744/34 "2003-05-17T03:55:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by CrazyCatLady \* > \*\*Well, when my blood tested positive for Hep B antibodies and I was put on permanent deferral (not allowed to donate ever again), the local blood bank sent me a letter. I think federal law requires them to notify you if your blood is rejected for any medical reason. \*\* How’s that work? I"m going to be getting a Hep B innoculation next week (I work in a hospital and really should have gotten it done months ago) and damn well hope I’ll have some Hep B antibodies after that! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2003, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-lie-to-donate-blood/175744/35 "2003-05-17T04:59:52Z")
> [@](#): > > Any thoughts on how to get other people to donate? Make blood donations tax deductable. For every pint you donate, you can take a dollar off your federal return. A small and symbolic amount but it might be enough to encourage people to make the effort. The potential money lost would be insignificant on this level (if everyone in the country donated four times a year, it would be a loss of about a billion dollars; chump change to Washington). ---
**Author:** ![irishgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2003, 10:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-lie-to-donate-blood/175744/36 "2003-05-17T10:23:53Z")
It’s pretty sad, no-one in my family can donate. Mum-grew up in Zimbabwe (malaria endemic) Dad- O-ve, but on antihypertensive meds and aspirin. My sister- less than 110 lbs Me- below the weight limit, and I take narcotic analgaesics 7 days out of 28, which rules me out too. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2003, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-lie-to-donate-blood/175744/37 "2003-05-17T12:45:04Z")
Yes, I’m afraid I lie all the time. When they ask the question, “Have you ever received money for sex,” I always say “No.” But in reality, women are constantly SHOWERING me with money for my services. I’m so ashamed. - Sorry… it’s just that I donate blood several times a year, and after all this time, it’s STILL takes major effort not to crack up with they ask me that! ---
**Author:** ![Pablito](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@Pablito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pablito)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2003, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-lie-to-donate-blood/175744/38 "2003-05-17T19:03:24Z")
No worries about the hijacking, dopers! I enjoy it. And I’m a frequent hijacker in other threads, so turnabout is fair play. We should have some kind of thread about donating blood regularly, just to keep people talking about it and push those who are eligible and thinking about it to go ahead and donate. And it sounds like maybe there aren’t as many people lying on their answers as I would have guessed. Or maybe it’s just that dopers are any especially honest and highly ethical group. ---
**Author:** ![Mockingbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c68b51/32.png) [@Mockingbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mockingbird)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2003, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-lie-to-donate-blood/175744/39 "2003-05-17T19:10:56Z")
Yes… I admit it. I claim to be a willowy supermodel named Sheena with long, lush blonde hair, with 38DD breasts, and a trick pelvis. I am _so_ ashamed. ---
**Author:** ![Mockingbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c68b51/32.png) [@Mockingbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mockingbird)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2003, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-lie-to-donate-blood/175744/40 "2003-05-17T19:14:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Opengrave \* > \*\*They will notify you if your blood comes up positive for a variety of factors, HIV, HEP, and others I can’t remember. \*\* Yup. I worked for a plasma center in 1995, and they will always notify someone if there is a factor in their blood that makes them an unsuitable donor. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-lie-to-donate-blood/175744.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-lie-to-donate-blood/175744.md?page=3)