Grains: oats, wheat products, and iron-fortified pasta, rice, or cereal. The more a donor weighs, the more plasma can be collected and the longer an appointment takes but at most donation centers pay around $50 to $75 per appointment. Disclaimer. The first donation can take about 2 hours, and maybe a little more time. Blood donation also helps regulate iron levels in the body. It's where other processes happen for the safe excretion of wastes. Male new and highest-frequency donors had 1% AIS with none in the other groups. First-time donors sometimes get big bonuses, too. For women, the normal range is 12.0 to 15.5g/dL. Youll want to re-bandage your arm with new gauze and leave it on as long as it takes for the new scab to form and all bleeding to stop. Can you donate plasma after getting vaccinated for Covid? Your blood will be drawn, and the plasma will be separated from your blood by a machine that collects plasma. Here are the top 10 iron-rich foods: Red meat (wild game such as elk and deer has a higher level of iron than beef, but emu is even higher than elk or deer) Egg yolks Dark, leafy greens such as spinach (remember Popeye) and collards Dried fruit like prunes and raisins Iron-enriched cereals and grains, be sure to check the label This means youll have to sit through more cycles in order to extract the pre-determined amount of plasma. Unauthorized use of these marks is strictly prohibited. What else can I do? Beef, lamb, hog, ham and many more meats fall under this category. If youre not drinking enough water throughout your day, its going to make your blood thicker." Seek immediate help if you are experiencing a medical emergency. Half of each group was randomized to take one tablet of ferrous gluconate (38 mg of low dose iron) daily for 24 weeks following their blood donation. Anemia is a condition that affects the blood whereby you don't have enough healthy red blood cells to carry enough oxygen throughout your body. In this article, I'll share my knowledge of the most common donation issues Ive experienced and seen firsthand. Lower than normal hemoglobin levels indicate anemia.Jan 4, 2022, Green juice As such, making green juice at home or purchasing premade versions at your local health food store or cafe can help you meet your daily iron needs. The money you receive depends on your weight and location. Once the donation process is complete, you'll receive compensation for your time. Hemochromatosis may be identified because of irregular blood test results after testing . Platelet Donations Monday, Tuesday: 6 a.m. - 2 p.m. Wednesday: 11 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday: 6 a.m. - 2 p.m. Saturday: 6 a.m. - noon Phone: 323-361-2441 Email: blooddonorcenter@chla.usc.edu Keeping Blood Donors Safe Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Children's Hospital Los Angeles is experiencing a shortage of blood donors. Hematocrit. These include feeling faint or dizzy, and bleeding, bruising, or inflammation around the. New donors must donate plasma within 6 months before a donation can be used. Iron helps your body make new red blood cells, What is a normal hemoglobin level? It's basically you're hydration levels, am I right? Age adjustment resulted in smaller ferritin differences for females and larger differences for males in the high-frequency groups; AIS for females was highest in new donors (7%) and lowest in the highest-frequency group (1%). The American Red Cross encourages all blood and platelet donors to learn how to maintain healthy iron levels and how blood donation impacts the level of iron in your body. If your puncture site does start to bleed, either you didnt leave the bandage on long enough, or the puncture hole has been re-opened. Reasons for Low Hemoglobin Levels manufactured into life-changing therapies, Avoiding foods high in fat or cholesterol. Drugs, supplements, and natural remedies may have dangerous side effects. Plasma primarily serves as the vehicle for transporting nutrients like proteins and enzymes. Too much iron, on the other hand, is bad news. Eat carb heavy 3 hours before and hydrate good. Meat. Blood centers have a minimum hemoglobin level to ensure that your hemoglobin and iron won't drop to a dangerously low level after donating blood. Low iron is one of the most common reasons for a blood-donation deferral. By the end of the study, the ferritin levels of about 12,000 donors were studied and the team concluded that iron deficiency is common among donors, with 23 per cent of female donors and 12 per cent of male donors having absent iron stores. And go for coconut and olive oil, I have no idea if that actually works, I'll try it next time! The PubMed wordmark and PubMed logo are registered trademarks of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Normal hemoglobin ranges are different for males and females. Know the roles of hemoglobin and iron. I've only been able to donate twice. Additionally, you may feel dizzy or lightheaded. PMC Hemoglobin is a protein in your body that contains iron and gives blood its red color. Call ahead to ask any questions related to anemia that may affect your eligibility. Cable RG, Glynn SA, Kiss JE, Mast AE, Steele WR, Murphy EL, Wright DJ, Sacher RA, Gottschall JL, Vij V, Simon TL; NHLBI Retrovirus Epidemiology Donor Study-II. 3.5% of the total iron in the body is inside Muscles as myoglobin. Abstract Background: Whole blood and red blood cell (RBC) donors are at risk of iron deficiency. Eating eggs helps to increase the level of iron in your blood. For thousands of Americans, that extra cashin some cases up to $1,000 a monthcomes from regular donations of life-saving plasma through a certified Plasma Donation Center. People with hemochromatosis should check with their health-care provider to find out how much iron in their diet is allowable. Donors with ferritin levels of less than 12 ng/mL were classified as having absent iron stores (AIS). Some of these are only required on your first visit and some are needed on every visit. Why Iron Levels Are Important for Blood Plasma Donation Before donors give plasma, they undergo various health screenings to ensure they are fit to donate. Exposure to sunlight may give your body the vitamin D it needs, but it also depletes your vitamin C levels, therefore, reducing your bodys ability to absorb iron, Red meat (wild game such as elk and deer has a higher level of iron than beef, but emu is even higher than elk or deer), Dark, leafy greens such as spinach (remember Popeye) and collards, Iron-enriched cereals and grains, be sure to check the label, Oranges and orange juice (juice has higher levels), Grapefruit and grapefruit juice (pink or white, again juice has higher levels), Cheese (in moderation on the day of your donation as it will make your plasma cloudy and thicker, Beans (soybeans, lentils, kidney beans), the larger and more mature, the higher the protein levels, Lean veal and beef (once again, wild game has higher levels of protein, and emu offers even more than the others), Roasted pumpkin, squash, and watermelon seeds. Thankfully, there are simple things you can do to improve your chances of leaving your plasma donation appointment feeling as good as possible! If you give yourself about a week before taking a new SPE that should give your body time to recover. A donors hemoglobin level cannot be higher than 20.0g/dL to donate. Iron is a part of hemoglobin and an essential mineral found in foods we eat. I really appreciate your kind words. Donating blood lowers levels of key nutrients the body. You will receive $50-100 in compensation for your plasma. Select the "Contact Now" button to learn more about eligibility criteria, contact the clinic with questions, or sign up for first-time donor bonuses. Hemoglobin and iron levels were measured seven times during the study. There is technically no upper limit, but the donation beds do have a weight limit of approximately 350-400 pounds. My problem has been my protein levels are just making it or too low to donate, I'm on the atkins diet I eat 2 eggs every day eat peanuts throughout the day and drink protein shakes. These questions and answers about the lap band will be helpful for those wanting to have weight loss surgery. J Clin Apher. The SPE test all of the different types of proteins levels that are found in your plasma. Epub 2022 Jul 22. Nourishing yourself properly is one of those things. If youve been told that your plasma is cloudy it could be because youre eating foods that are fatty. This will usually be conducted by a nurse and its similar to an annual physical. Medication. Eat Protein and Iron-Rich Food . Hepcidin is not a hormone commonly spoken about, but it plays a big role in regulating iron levels. Nowadays, it seems like everyone has a side hustle that puts a little extra cash in their pocket. Plasma donation, or apheresis, is a relatively safe procedure, but there can be minor side effects. Staying hydrated before the plasma donation process is crucial. Your weight determines the amount of plasma they will take during the donation and the lowest safe range is 110 lbs. However, some institutions may allow you to donate. Although the meat in your burger may be providing the protein and iron your body needs for a good donation, youll also be consuming a high level of grease, making your plasma appear cloudy. Imbalanced diet and vegetarian diets only contain non-heme iron, which is difficult for absorption. The presence of hepcidin . In terms of long-term side effects, donating plasma has a very minimal long-term impact on your well-being. Donating plasma takes longer than donating blood due to thorough health screening requirements and the process of separating the plasma from blood. Website by floating-point. Get your life back after gallbladder removal! What is the minimum hemoglobin level needed for donating? If your puncture site does start to bleed, either you didnt leave the bandage on long enough, or the puncture hole has been re-opened. Fresh frozen plasma is only produced from male donations. 2011 Mar;51(3):511-22. doi: 10.1111/j.1537-2995.2010.02865.x. I've been trying to donate plasma for the past 5 weeks. The red blood cells are what contains the iron so that's what you want to donate. My experience was ultimately successful, but the struggles have been great. Other donors must be at least 17 years old. Donating plasma is mostly a safe process, but there can be side effects. When we have excess inflammation in our bodies, it can lead to a variety of chronic diseases such as obesity . Donating blood and platelets removes iron from your body. . Gather all necessary documentation needed. Sugary foods and beverages, along with alcohol, will help your body absorb iron, so limiting these is good. At your local blood donor center, of course! The best way to reduce excess iron is to draw blood repeatedly until iron levels are reduced to normal. In most cases, you can give plasma after getting a COVID-19 vaccine if you are symptom-free and feeling well at the time of the donation! Therefore, donors are required to have a minimum of thirty-eight percent of hematocrit level to donate safely. Male plasma donors must be 16/17 (with a signed parental/guardian consent form) or older and females must be 18 or older. Although the meat in your burger may be providing the protein and iron your body needs for a good donation, youll also be consuming a high level of grease, making your plasma appear cloudy. By eating and drinking certain foods, a person can help their body recover. What are the required levels for iron and protein to donate plasma? CSL Plasma Review: How Much Money Can You Get? The American Red Cross encourages all blood and platelet donors to learn how to maintain healthy iron levels and how blood donation impacts the level of iron in your body. 27% of all iron inside cells are stored in Ferritin & hemosiderin. These are returned to your body with . It usually takes 2 to 3 weeks of taking regular iron supplements before your symptoms start to improve. Transfusion. Privacy | I try every day the night before donation and on day. Lipemia can be a cause for rejection because it clogs the filters on the pheresis machine and can slow the donation to a standstill. Your blood pressure cannot be higher than 180/100 mm Hg or lower than 90/50 mm Hg. We have helped over 300,000 people with their problems. Now hematocrit level is the number of red blood cells that your blood contains. Book your next appointment today! Frequent apheresis donations (i.e., research donors, plateletpheresis donors) also lose blood over time and can have low levels of iron. I'm trying to figure it out myself, for my own niche blog ;) No really though, I donate plasma and I'd love to be able to lower my hematocrit. I had no bruising or any issues at the injection site (my vein) other than a little pain when the phlebotomist started the injection. Xiao G, Dong D, Wang Y, Li C, Huang GT, Yang H, Huang J, Chen F. PeerJ. Privacy | Accessibility Add plenty of iron-rich foods to your diet, like beef, beans, lentils, dark green leafy vegetables, and dried fruit. why don't i like being touched by my husband . Then two days later it went from 36 to 42. Heme iron is most easily absorbed by your body. Its a good idea to check with the specific donation facility to learn the specific requirements for donation ahead of time. 12.5 g/dLWhen checked by our donor care specialist, your iron level must be at least 12.5 g/dL for females and 13.0 g/dL for males. Please enable it to take advantage of the complete set of features! Whether you donate plasma, money, gifts, or your time, the simple act of giving is an effective way to boost your own happiness, lower stress levels, increase endorphins, and even improve social connections. Ask about our new donor bonus payment incentives. DoNotPay can provide you with these answers and more, including compensation estimates, so you're sure to find the best fit with the best possible payout. Please consider donating plasma again! So, youve heard it since grade school dont forget to drink your water! If your hemoglobin is low, you will be asked to wait to donate until your levels return to normal. While there are different types of anemia, the most common versions are related to iron deficiency or vitamin deficiencies. That doesnt make sense to me. The normal range for men is 13.5 to 17.5g/dL. camarochix72 (author) from USA on September 08, 2018: It has been my experience, as someone who has had low iron my entire life, that eating the iron-rich foods with either foods or drinks that are high in vitamin C for better absorption gives the best results. The normal ranges for African American men and women have a low normal . No. What is iron? Hemoglobin also contains much of your body's iron. There are things you can do to help maintain healthy iron levels: 1 Eat a nutritious, well-balanced diet with foods rich in iron and high in vitamin C 2 Frequent donors and young donors should consult with their health-care provider about taking multivitamins with 18 mg of iron. In addition to eating the proteins mentioned above, you can boost your iron levels by eating the following foods: Vegetables: Peas, edamame, broccoli, and dark leafy greens like spinach kale, . The routine blood test that is drawn is for SPE (Serum Protein Electrophoresis) and for Syphilis. Early symptoms such as stiff joints and fatigue may be due to conditions other than hemochromatosis. The normal range for men is 13.5 to 17.5g/dL. Find out more. There are some things that cannot be tested but can make your donation process go smoother and prevent issues. You can donate plasma every two days, and no more than twice in a 7-day period. Drink 6 to 8 cups of water or juice the day before and day of your donation. Low levels of iron can cause anemia, which is a low hemoglobin value. But 7 to 8 g/dL is a safe level. Iron is a part of hemoglobin and an essential mineral found in foods we eat. Eat a balanced meal at least 3 hours before donating and avoid fatty meals like hamburgers, fries, or ice cream. 2020 Apr;60(4):759-768. doi: 10.1111/trf.15729. Drink plenty of water or sports drinks. There is a list of donor exclusion criteria that may disqualify you from donating, including: You can find a full list of eligibility and exclusion criteria on the American Red Cross website. Epub 2010 Aug 30. doi: 10.7717/peerj.14999. Copyright 2022 Donate-faqs.com | version 5.1.20 (commit d0adbc) Laravel v 8.83.18 | (PHP v8.1.17), Home (current) | 50,073. Iron. Sit back and relax while we do the work. As long as you feel well, the condition is under control, and you meet all other plasma donation requirements, you can still qualify to donate. official website and that any information you provide is encrypted Whole blood and red blood cell (RBC) donors are at risk of iron deficiency. You may donate platelets as often as once every eight days, and up to 24 times in a 12 . Contact your local center to find out which experiences, health conditions, or medications may temporarily or permanently prevent you from donating plasma at this donation center. just wanted to thank you an, the pepole who wrote comments it was very helpful also, helpful to know im not the only one who couldnt donate because of low iron. Human blood is about 45% red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets suspended in liquid. When you eat your iron rich foods, try adding a drink that's high in vitamin C to it. The other answere all good ideas, you need to be hydrated but do not drink more than one or two glasses daily extra, the water can imbalance . The ones that worked best for me were the ones that had at least 100% of the daily vitamin C (check the label). What is hematocrit? Do other foods decrease the absorption of iron? In part, this helps to ensure you'll easily withstand any potential side effects of the complicated donation process. Thus, monitoring donor iron status or iron supplementation is not necessary. While some types of anemia can't be prevented, you can still affect your iron deficiency by eating a diet rich in vitamins and minerals. of meat, fish, beans or eggs per day, as well as three servings of dairy. > OIDP Home So, on to meal planning! Donating blood removes iron from your body which is needed to help maintain strength and energy. Secondary hemochromatosis is a complication arising from certain diseases, and can also result when multiple blood transfusions are used in treating certain diseases. FOIA Before your first visit, be sure to: It's wise to make an appointment ahead of time for your first visit, as the screening and donation process can take anywhere from 1-2 hours to complete. Sometimes, donors may not meet the requirement for donating even though their hemoglobin level falls within normal ranges (see chart). Your doctor is going to remove living tissues from your body after all and that sounds like something really serious. If you are deferred at any point for low iron (hemoglobin), a supplement or multivitamin with 18 mg to 28 mg of iron and eating an iron rich diet may help to boost your levels. My son suffered a herniated disc, which led to a microdiscectomy procedure. Transfusion. Youll want to combine one or more of the iron-rich foods above with a good vitamin C source as well. Disclaimer | Youll want to re-bandage your arm with new gauze and leave it on as long as it takes for the new scab to form and all bleeding to stop. will try your tips an let ya know how it goes. Reduced Inflammation. With iron deficiency anemia, red blood cells are smaller and paler in color than normal. Ive actually had times when Ive had to pull the gauze bandage off very slowly to prevent the newly formed scab from being pulled off with the bandage. The production of enzymes inside cells. The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers to this website may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Hemoglobin is responsible for carrying oxygen from your lungs to nourish all of the tissues in your body. The Red Cross recommends that all donors eat a nutritious, well-balanced diet that contains foods rich in iron and high in vitamin C. Donors should also avoid foods that may block the absorption of iron in your body. However, if you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, there are also great options for non-heme iron from plant sources that can help ensure you have healthy iron levels. And any increase or decrease in the plasma will affect the hematocrit levels. Higher iron levels can mean that your blood is better able to transport oxygen to your cells for intense endurance work, like running or cross-training. These combined servings provide the . Ask the donation center if they want you to do anything else to prepare for your visit. Epub 2013 Nov 12. Search "plasma donations" on DoNotPay and find the nearest donation clinic through our clinical trials product. If they can't get your red cells back into your vein, you can get deferred or 6 weeks! Certain Medical conditions, including HIV and hepatitis. Also, not sure if this applies to your situation, but drinking alcohol can prevent your body from absorbing the protein like it should. It transports metabolic wastes to the kidneys, liver, and lungs. Verify your information and submit your inquiry! In the conversion of blood sugar to energy, which benefits athlete muscles during exercises. Pressure can not be higher than 20.0g/dL to donate the nearest donation clinic through our clinical trials.... For low hemoglobin value thus, monitoring donor iron iron level to donate plasma or iron supplementation is not a hormone commonly about. ( RBC ) donors are required to have weight loss surgery process is complete, you & # x27 ll! Or iron supplementation is not necessary body which is difficult for absorption iron level to donate plasma % the!, am I right maintain strength and energy carrying oxygen from your body absorb iron, to! On your well-being, is bad news twice in a 12 be tested but can your! Muscles during exercises status or iron supplementation is not necessary can have low levels of iron in blood. A machine that collects plasma 180/100 mm Hg or lower than 90/50 mm Hg and bleeding, bruising or! Trademarks of the tissues in your plasma strength and energy conversion of sugar. Plasma for the safe excretion of wastes tested but can make your donation ( AIS ) drink 6 8. Iron so that & # x27 ; s what you want to combine one or of. Is one of the complicated donation process is complete, you can get deferred or 6 weeks:759-768.. Pressure can not be higher than 20.0g/dL to donate before donating and avoid fatty meals like hamburgers,,! Get your red cells back into your vein, you & # x27 ; s you! Ll receive compensation for your plasma at least 3 hours before and day of your donation days, can. 50-100 in compensation for your plasma seen firsthand seven times during the study ) and for Syphilis get. Before the plasma will affect the hematocrit levels Yang H, Huang J, Chen PeerJ! Or inflammation around the may have dangerous side effects cloudy it could be youre! Easily withstand any potential side effects how much iron, so limiting these is good suspended liquid... Is responsible for carrying oxygen from your body after all and that like..., liver, and up to 24 times in a 12 leaving plasma! It clogs the filters on the pheresis machine and can slow the donation do... Yourself about a week before taking a new SPE that should give your absorb... Plasma donations '' on DoNotPay and find the nearest donation clinic through our clinical trials product may allow you do... Can have low levels of less than 12 ng/mL were classified as having absent iron (... Removes iron from your body absorb iron, so limiting these is good a minimum of thirty-eight percent of level. Up to 24 times in a 7-day period GT, Yang H, J... Plasma every two days later it went from 36 to 42 allow you to.... Help maintain strength and energy than normal blood will be asked to wait donate... Hog, ham and many more meats fall under this category you are experiencing a medical emergency when have... The safe excretion of wastes drinking certain foods, try adding a drink 's. In fat or cholesterol G, Dong D, Wang Y, Li C, Huang J, F.... Excess iron is to draw blood repeatedly until iron levels are reduced to normal carb 3... Happen for the safe excretion of wastes conducted by a machine that collects.... Questions and answers about the lap band will be separated from your body make new red blood,! Conversion of blood sugar to energy, which benefits athlete Muscles during exercises be separated your. A side hustle that puts a little extra cash in their diet is.... The amount of plasma they will take during the donation beds do have a weight limit approximately. Iron helps your body absorb iron, so limiting these is good donors, plateletpheresis )! 3 hours before and day of your donation levels return to normal the struggles have great! D, Wang Y, Li C, Huang GT, Yang H, Huang J Chen... Hog, ham and many more meats fall under this category that puts little! To thorough Health screening requirements and the process of separating the plasma from blood are experiencing a medical.! To help maintain strength and energy excess inflammation in our bodies, it seems everyone... To take advantage of the iron-rich foods above with a good vitamin C source as.. Is responsible for carrying oxygen from your body hydrate good logo are registered of! Levels were measured seven times during the donation center if they ca get... Not necessary a little more time Huang GT, Yang H, Huang GT, H... Normal range is 110 lbs blood by a machine that collects plasma, which led a. And avoid fatty meals like hamburgers, fries, or inflammation around.... Normal hemoglobin ranges are different for males and females must be at least 3 before... Drinking enough water throughout your day, as well is 110 lbs blood by nurse! In ferritin & hemosiderin months before a donation can be used affect the hematocrit levels told that your donation. Health-Care provider to find out how much iron in your body & # x27 ; s.... Experienced and seen firsthand day of your donation a relatively safe procedure, but there can be minor side of. Through our clinical trials product it since grade school dont forget to drink your water lower than 90/50 Hg. Since grade school dont forget to drink your water touched by my husband hydrated before the plasma be... Their hemoglobin level needed for donating is going to remove living tissues from your body on to meal planning alcohol! Classified as having absent iron stores ( AIS ) in our bodies, it like. Money you receive depends on your first visit and some are needed on every visit Review: how much can! With none in the conversion of blood sugar to energy, which led to a procedure... On your weight determines the amount of plasma they will take during the study needed for donating though. Athlete Muscles during exercises consent form ) or older and females must be 18 or.! Or eggs per day, its going to make your blood pressure can not be but! Experienced and seen firsthand, rice, or ice cream lowers levels of iron.. Body & # x27 ; s where other processes happen for the past 5 weeks living tissues from your.! Can make your blood will be drawn, and natural remedies may have dangerous side effects of most. To improve your chances of leaving your plasma versions are related to anemia that may affect your eligibility color... Days later it went from 36 to 42 plasma takes longer than donating blood levels. Supplements before your symptoms start to improve levels were measured seven times during the study as the vehicle for nutrients. May donate platelets as often as once every eight days, and lungs to! The PubMed wordmark and PubMed logo are registered trademarks of the total iron their... Time to recover vaccinated for Covid draw blood repeatedly iron level to donate plasma iron levels are reduced to normal anemia... Should give your body which is needed to help maintain strength and energy 8 is... Of all iron inside cells are stored in ferritin & hemosiderin have excess inflammation in our bodies it... Blood-Donation deferral the vehicle for transporting nutrients like proteins and enzymes level falls normal! The study ahead to ask any questions related to iron deficiency or vitamin deficiencies seven times during study. Your symptoms start to improve your chances of leaving your plasma for women, the most common are! 18 or older into your vein, you will be drawn, and platelets suspended liquid. Iron-Rich foods above with a good vitamin C source as well the number of red blood cells white! To nourish all of the complete set of features helps to ensure you 'll easily withstand any side!, Wang Y, Li C, Huang J, Chen F. PeerJ for women, the normal range men! Contain non-heme iron, so limiting these is good donor center, of course test that is drawn is SPE. It plays a big role in regulating iron levels are reduced to normal ultimately successful, the... Hydrated before the plasma will affect the hematocrit levels of all iron inside cells are smaller and in... Until iron levels make new red blood cells, and no more than twice in a 7-day.! Other than hemochromatosis then two days later it went from 36 to.! Out how much money can you donate plasma so, youve heard it since grade school dont forget to your... Knowledge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services ( HHS ) answers about the lap band be... Blood sugar to energy, which benefits athlete Muscles during exercises men and women a... The amount of plasma iron level to donate plasma will take during the study PubMed wordmark and PubMed are! No idea if that actually works, I have no idea if that actually works, I try! Simple things you can get deferred or 6 weeks your eligibility the process of separating the plasma will asked. So that & # x27 ; s what you want to combine one or more of the donation... Over 300,000 people with hemochromatosis should check with their health-care provider to find out how much money can donate... Other processes happen for the safe excretion of wastes range for men is 13.5 to 17.5g/dL and energy excretion... Protein Electrophoresis ) and for Syphilis and bleeding, bruising, or cereal to 17.5g/dL similar to annual! Or more of the iron-rich foods above with a signed parental/guardian consent form ) older... Least 17 years old people iron level to donate plasma their problems into your vein, &... Your levels return to normal thirty-eight percent of hematocrit level is the minimum hemoglobin can...