Weakness after donating.

**BigSpanky** · 07-24-2013, 04:18 PM

How long does the weakness last after donating blood? Just wondering if its mental or do others experience this. I donated 2 days ago and am still struggling to finish my workouts. I can definitely feel a difference.

**bass** · 07-24-2013, 04:20 PM

sounds like you're low on iron. eat liver for few days!

**BigSpanky** · 07-24-2013, 04:26 PM

My hemoglobin was 19.3. This was my first time donating I guess it's just mental.

**bass** · 07-24-2013, 04:36 PM

holy crap man! your sides could still be from high hemoglobin! run a test to see where you stand, and if it still too high find another blood drive (different company) and donate again. I am surprised they took you in at that level!

**Hackamaniac** · 07-25-2013, 12:45 AM

I usually feel funny for a couple of weeks after donating and I'm really not sure why.

**SEOINAGE** · 07-25-2013, 07:13 AM

I can kind of tell I'm a little drained for maybe two days. But I still hit the gym hard, sometimes even immediately after donating, or last time I did it myself right after training and I got some carbs in first.

I've had rougher times with donation when I was a lot lighter, like when I weighed 160 lbs, wasn't eating much, and I couldn't keep my blood pressure up afterwards. Weighing 230 lbs I could probably bleed a ton and keep ticking.

Curious if you are trying to lose weight or are rather light already?

**BigSpanky** · 07-25-2013, 08:31 AM

I'm 5'9 and weigh 225 around 20% body fat. I am dieting and doing cardio so maybe it's just taking me a little while to recover. I felt great before donating so I don't think the higher hemoglobin level is the issue.

**bass** · 07-25-2013, 08:44 AM

Originally Posted by BigSpanky

I'm 5'9 and weigh 225 around 20% body fat. I am dieting and doing cardio so maybe it's just taking me a little while to recover. I felt great before donating so I don't think the higher hemoglobin level is the issue.

maybe, but if your hemo still above normal you need to bring it down. long term high hemo is dangerous.

**teezer33** · 07-25-2013, 09:29 AM

is that before or after you donated

**teezer33** · 07-25-2013, 09:34 AM

Originally Posted by BigSpanky

How long does the weakness last after donating blood? Just wondering if its mental or do others experience this. I donated 2 days ago and am still struggling to finish my workouts. I can definitely feel a difference.

"Your body will replace the blood volume (plasma) within 48 hours. It will take four to eight weeks for your body to completely replace the red blood cells you donated. The average adult has eight to 12 pints of blood. You will not notice any physical changes related to the pint you donated"

(n.d.). Retrieved from Frequently Asked Questions About Donating Blood - Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center - Commit for Life

http://http://www.giveblood.org/faqs

References