Should I donate whole blood or double red cells?

[Sharon H in IL]

I try to donate regularly, since I am O negative.

 

Which is better for an O- to donate, whole blood or double red cells?

 

Another factor is that I am sometimes turned down for having too low an iron level, even though I take prescription iron.

 

Your thoughts, please. :bigear:

[NanceXToo]

The only reason they like people to donate the double reds, really, is because then they are guaranteed that double amount of blood in one shot.

 

A lot of people will come, and then not return. Or return only sporadically. So if you're not going to come back in the 56 days (or whatever it is), they're missing out on that second donation. Whereas if you do the double red that first time, they're getting the equivalent of two donations.

 

Of course, you have to wait double the amount of time to donate again afterward, so if you DO return regularly, it won't make a difference in the end. If you're less likely to return every 56 (?) days, then a double red would be more useful.

 

But keep in mind that for the double red, the iron has to be even better than usual so that might be a factor for you, and you have to weight a certain amount (I think over 150 lbs for females?)

 

I'm type O negative too! I try to donate regularly but sometimes life gets in the way. I did do the double red last time so that I could go less often and not feel guilty about it if/when I don't have the time lol. It's easier to make time when you can only go every 112 days or whatever.