Blood donation question- Double Red Cells, Apheresis?

[harley121]

Hello All, I have been trying to find a blood donation place in the area where I live and the ones I have found for this weekend only do Apheresis and Double Red Cell technique. It appears they take the part of your blood they need and return the rest to you. My question is that since- in addition to helping people in need, I am doing this to lower Hemoglobin and Hematocrit levels, with either or both of these accomplish this or are they just returning to me the stuff Im trying to get out of me?

[Riptorn]

I'm no expert but if they're drawing plasma only I think they put the red blood cells back. Isn't that what your trying to get rid of?

[harley121]

I honestly don't know what Im trying to get rid of, other than need to donate blood to reduce the Hemo levels. In the Double Red Cell thing they take Red Cells, run it thru a centrifuge- seperate it, put the rest back in you. W the Apheresis they take something then put something back. I just want to make sure that Im accomplishing what I need to medically/ Hemo. levels too while donating.

[bass]

Double reds are even better way to go than whole blood. That will definitely do the trick for you.

[JohnnyVegas]

Agreed - double red is the way to go.

I was bummed to find that you can only do double red half as often so it evens out in the long run. I wish I could take my blood work in and show that I am ready to give again rather than waiting a set amount of time.

[harley121]

Sweet, Ill set it up.