Mine is also rather low, but it never used to bother me upon donating blood until I was in my mid-20’s. So I have no clue.
So am I now barred for the other reasons, too? I guess I should ask my doc.
I don’t donate blood because gay people are not allowed. It seems that we are in the same category as drug abusers, people with hepatitis, and lepers.
Oh I forgot about the tattoo thing too. I got another tattoo 9 days ago.
I donated regularly for decades; I think I’ve donated 8 or 9 gallons altogether. (I’ve donated in several different cities in 5 different states, so I don’t have all the info in one place.)
But since a bad case of the flu knocked me on my ass about 2-1/2 years ago, I’ve felt ‘back to normal’ less often than not. Every time I think my body has been sufficiently sound for long enough for me to afford to donate a pint, I start feeling crappy again.
Like now. This doesn’t feel like a flu aftershock, but I’ve been feeling run-down for a few weeks now. At first I figured I was just behind on my sleep, but now I’ve gotten five nights in a row of terrific sleep. And today I feel like a zombie, just like I did yesterday.
I don’t know what the story is, but my body just can’t seem to get back to feeling healthy for very long. (Yes, I’ve been to the doctor, tests have been run, nothing.) And until it does, giving blood is right out.
I’ve donated a few times, but 13 years ago I was a participant in an NIH AIDS vaccine study at Vanderbilt University. I’m no longer eligible to donate.
StG
Same here, dorkus, and at this point I doubt I would. Wouldn’t want to contaminate their pristine donor pool, would we?
You got a tattoo 9 days ago too? Wow! Now that is a coincidence. 
I had hepatitis as a teenager - ineligible for life. Also, I’m a member of one of those other high-risk groups, or at least I was, in the 80s and 90s.
I must say I’m relieved to be ineligible. If I weren’t, I probably wouldn’t give blood, out of fear of needles and fear of being overly wiped out afterwards. Then I’d feel terribly guilty. I try not to be smug about being off the hook, and I’m terribly grateful for all the donors out there. Haven’t ever needed a transfusion myself, but if and when I do, I’ll be even more grateful.
I normally donate several times a year, but haven’t lately due to a bout of mild anemia. Most of my blood work is back to normal, but a couple of the numbers were still just a bit low. I’m going to try donating again in a month or so.
I can’t because of my blood presure medicine. But before I went on it I had donated over 4 gallons.
They held a blood drive at my daughter’s high school. It was actually rather sad watching large numbers of willing donors get turned away because they were underweight or, especially common among the young women, had low iron levels.
When I was a college student, I used to be signed up with the university hospital’s blood center to go in and donate on a regular schedule (as often as they would allow). I did this until I graduated.
My law school didn’t run blood drives that I ever heard about, so I got out of the habit.
Now that I’m settled at my new place of employment, I’ll start giving again, as soon as a blood drive comes around. I don’t have the time to make it a regular appointment, though, like I did in college.
So, mostly because I moved.
When I tried, my veins wouldn’t pop and they had no butterfly needles. They took an AIDS sample and everything, and I still didn’t get to donate and finally learn my blood type pout.
Same here. 2 1/2 years in England while in the USAF. Gave blood regularly. Now they won’t touch me. Especially bad given I’m one of the rarer blood types (B-).
I really would like to donate, but I don’t think I can. When I was 18, I had mononucleosis-hepatatis (don’t know which type) and had liver damage as a result. I don’t think the blood is good for anyone but me at this point.
I can’t even read this thread because even thinking about having a needle in my vein can make me pass out.
I have very weird blood that is only shared by 12 other people on the planet–all females, and 11 of them are definitely relatives (the 12th must be from the wrong side of the blanket). We can only donate to and accept blood from each other.
up til 5 years ago I was a regular donor. (8 gals) A bout with anemia has prevented me from continuing to donate. Oh yeah, and a few major surgeries where I needed transfusions.
I expect soon I’ll be able to continue my regular donations
I went to donate blood and it was not a pleasent experience - I ended up passed out in the back being fed cookies. Apparently I dont have much blood in me, so taking a pint rather weakened me for a good bit. I would consider doing it again, but with lots and lots of hydration beforehand.
Piercing in July, tattoos in May and October. More tattoos to come.