Having diabetes is something that many people are familiar with, and if you are a type 2 diabetic, you may be wondering if you can donate plasma. Donating blood has been proven to improve the body's ability to produce insulin, and also to increase glucose tolerance. But there are some precautions you need to take before and after donating blood.
During the month of November, which is American Diabetes Month, people with diabetes may wonder if they can donate blood. There are many factors that you should consider before making this decision, and you may be wondering whether blood donation is safe for people with diabetes.
A recent study by the King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC) shows that blood donation may improve insulin production and glucose tolerance in Type 2 diabetics on insulin. Researchers studied the blood of 42 healthy male donors. They discovered that donating blood helped improve insulin production for up to three weeks. It also helped improve glucose tolerance and reduced the risk of cardiovascular disease.
However, before you consider donating blood, you should also learn about the blood donation process. There are two main methods, whole blood and plasma donation. Whole blood donation is the easiest method of giving blood and involves donating a whole blood collection that contains red cells, platelets, and plasma. This process takes less time than plasma donation. However, you will have to wait a couple of days before you can donate blood again.
The American Red Cross does not specify a specific blood sugar level that is required before donating. However, they do accept blood from people with diabetes, so long as the recipient's blood sugar levels are well controlled. Blood from people with diabetes with other medical conditions may also be accepted.
During the screening process, you will be asked a number of questions related to your medical condition. You will also have a temperature taken. It is also important to disclose any diabetes medications you take. You may also be asked to provide your social security number. If you need to, you can call the healthcare provider before you arrive to get additional information.
The blood donation process also involves the removal of iron from the body. Iron can interfere with insulin signaling. Blood donation may help improve insulin production and glucose tolerance in Type 2 diabetes on insulin, but only if iron levels are at a healthy level. The iron may be in the form of ferritin, a blood protein that contains iron. It has been suggested that ferritin may be associated with improved insulin sensitivity.
During the blood donation process, you may also be asked to provide your blood sample for A1c testing. The A1c test will give you a rough idea of how well your blood sugars are controlled. A good A1c level is less than 7.0%. You should monitor your blood sugars carefully, and if you notice that your A1c level is higher than normal, you should seek medical advice.
While blood donation can be a worthwhile endeavor, it is also important to follow blood donation rules and precautions. Blood is only given to people who are willing to donate it. Donating blood can be a good way to help people with diabetes, and it can earn money for diabetic research.
Medications shouldn't disqualify you from giving blood if you have type 2 diabetes. While there are some prescription medications that may defer your donation, most of these will have little impact. For instance, some blood thinners like warfarin should never be taken while donating blood. Similarly, medications that treat infectious diseases such as AIDS and HIV should be avoided.
Aside from medications, you also need to pay attention to your blood sugar levels. If you have high blood sugars, you may want to wait until your diabetes is more in check before donating. A healthy lifestyle can help you keep your blood sugar levels in check. You should also eat a nutritious diet and get plenty of exercise. You will also need to monitor your blood sugar levels daily to avoid high or low sugars.
The American Red Cross will accept blood from people with diabetes. However, it does require that you fill out a medical history form. You will also be asked questions about your life and your medications. If you have pre-existing medical conditions such as heart disease or HIV/Aids, these may affect your ability to donate blood. In addition, you may be asked to provide evidence of your blood glucose and A1c levels.
Unlike most other medications, blood donation will not defer if you take insulin. However, if you're a Type 2 diabetic on insulin, you may want to wait a few months between donations. The authors of a 2017 study recommended that people with Type 2 diabetes wait at least four months between donations. In addition, blood donation may also improve your markers of diabetes.
Other medications may not have as much impact on your ability to donate blood as blood thinners like warfarin, but they're still worth mentioning. One example of a medication that is safe to use while donating blood is finasteride. However, you should talk to your health care provider before discontinuing any medications.
Aside from medications, you may also be turned away from a blood donation center if you have an infection. Donating blood is safe and can save a life. However, blood donation centers will turn away people with fevers or other illnesses to help prevent the spread of the flu. In addition, you may have to wait for up to 120 days after a Zika virus infection to receive a blood transfusion. In addition, malaria can be passed on during a blood transfusion. In addition, your blood may not be safe to donate if you are taking malaria medication.
The American Red Cross does not specifically state how high you need to have your blood glucose level to be able to donate. However, it does state that a blood donation may lower your hemoglobin A1c levels for two months after a whole blood donation.
Whether you are a type 2 diabetic on insulin or a non-diabetic person, there are precautions you should take before and after blood donation. Your blood glucose levels must be within the recommended range and you should have a hemoglobin level that is within the normal range. You should also monitor your blood sugar level and eat a nutritious diet. You may also want to consider taking iron-rich supplements. These may help your body recover from the loss of blood.
It is important to be well-rested and well-hydrated before and after blood donation. You should avoid vigorous exercise and heavy lifting for a day or two before you donate. If you feel dizzy, you should rest and call your doctor. Be sure to take plenty of fluids and rest your arm during the donation to help your body recover from the loss of blood.
If you are on any diabetes medications, you may need to adjust your dosage. It is also a good idea to discuss these medications with your doctor before donating blood. You can do this by filling out a confidential medical history. This will include questions about your risk for bloodborne infections and how you take your medications. Your doctor will also check to see if any medications might affect your donation.
You should also take care not to take any medications for 3 days prior to donating. You should also make sure that you do not have a fever in the last four weeks. You should also avoid taking antibiotics for the week before you donate. You can also ask to have your blood pressure checked before donating. It is important to keep your blood glucose levels within the recommended range for the week before you donate. You should also take your insulin as directed by your doctor.
You should also take care not to smoke, drink caffeine, or eat fatty foods before donating. You should also avoid alcohol after you donate. If you are diabetic on insulin, you will not be able to donate blood if you have any alcohol in your system.
You should also take a cold pack for the first 24 hours after donating. This will help reduce bruising. You should also keep a bandage on your arm for at least 4 hours after donating. You can also take acetaminophen for arm pain. The bandage will help prevent bruising.
You should also bring a list of all your medications, herbal supplements, and vitamins. You may also want to bring your blood glucose monitoring equipment. You should also take a healthy snack before donating. If you are unable to eat, you may want to take iron-rich supplements to replace the iron lost during the donation.
You should also avoid drinking coffee or tea the day before donating. You may also want to avoid fatty foods and take an iron-rich supplement.