Do you want to know how to raise hematocrit levels for plasma donation? Well, then you came to the right article. Now, to raise your hematocrit level, all you have to do is eat a diet that consists of a lot of iron.
Where can you obtain this nutrient from, you might be thinking. Well, in order to achieve a diet that is rich in iron, your diet needs to include food like; lean red meat, seafood, and chicken. And if you are a vegetarian or vegan, we have a substitute diet for you and it will help you attain the same amount of iron. Your diet will need to include; lentils, quinoa, beans, and tofu.
There is so much more to know about this, so continue reading to learn more about this topic!
All About Plasma Donation
The substance that gives our blood a liquid consistency that substance is plasma. It is pale and yellowish. It is made with ninety percent water and ten percent proteins. Moreover, it also contains salts, enzymes, antibodies, and proteins known as albumin and fibrinogen.
So, what are its functions? Plasma serves several essential functions in our body. It helps in keeping our blood pressure on a healthy scale. And it helps to transport all the vital nutrients, proteins, minerals, and hormones to the cells in our body. Some components that are transported to our cells, with the help of plasma are:
- growth hormones
- sodium
- potassium
- clotting factors
What do you think are the causes of loss of plasma? Well, if it’s loss of plasma, we are talking about here. Then it means loss of blood. Because, after all, the liquid part of the blood is plasma. Now, loss of plasma mostly happens due to external injuries and internal bleeding.
#1. Becoming a donor
Now to check if you are eligible to donate, you should visit your nearest blood donation center. Generally, these are the requirements that you have to meet in order to become a plasma donor:
- It would help if you were at least eighteen years old
- You should weigh at least a hundred and ten pounds
- You should pass the medical examination (a medical exam takes place to see if you’re eligible to donate)
- You should pass the extensive medical history screening
- You should test negative for transmissible viruses such as HIV and Hepatitis
- It would help if you consumed the diet they ask you to follow; usually, it includes fifty to eighty grams of protein
#2. The process
Plasmapheresis is used to conduct a plasma donation. In this, blood is drawn from the donor’s arm. The blood is then sent through a plasma separating machine that separates the plasma and cells. The plasma is then obtained, and the remaining cells are returned to the donor mixed with some saline. Another way Plasma is obtained by whole blood donations. This is also known as the recovered plasma donation. The donor donates whole blood, and then plasma is separated from it.
#3. Its significance
Plasma helps treat trauma, shock, and burn patients—moreover, people with severe liver disease or clotting factor deficiencies. Plasma can help increase a person’s blood volume, which helps prevent shock and blood clots. Pharmaceutical companies also use plasma to make therapies for medical conditions like bleeding disorders and immune deficiencies.
Ways To Raise Hematocrit Levels For Plasma Donation
Well, first, we need to understand what hematocrit levels are? Now hematocrit level is the number of red blood cells that your blood contains. And any increase or decrease in the plasma will affect the hematocrit levels. Therefore, donors are required to have a minimum of thirty-eight percent of hematocrit level to donate safely. Yes! This is why hematocrit levels matter when it comes to donating plasma.
Right here in this paragraph, we will answer your question: how to raise hematocrit levels for plasma donation? Well, you can easily do this by consuming a diet that is rich in iron. This is because iron can help raise your low hemoglobin levels. But then, be careful, my friends. Low hemoglobin levels can be a sign of anemia or iron deficiency. By eating foods rich in iron, you can increase your iron levels and maintain a balance in your blood. Read about hemoglobin and iron functions for more ideas.
Now let’s talk about what you should eat to increase your hematocrit levels. Alright, your diet should consist of plenty of heme iron (an iron you can only attain with meat) together with some protein.
These are some examples of heme-iron foods:
- Lean red meat
- Seafood
- Chicken
Here’s how to raise iron levels for blood donation. Anyway, these are some examples of non-heme iron foods if you are a vegan or vegetarian:
- Tofu
- Beans
- Quinoa
- Lentils
Here are some things you should consider during plasma donation:
- Inform the donation center if you had a recent surgery
- Inform the donation center if you have gotten a piercing or tattoo within the period of the past twelve months
- Inform the donation center if you are taking any medications
It’s a good idea to read about what to eat before blood donation and what to eat after blood donation.
It’s A Wrap
We hope by reading this article, you got your answer to how to raise hematocrit levels for plasma donation. We tried our best to explain the procedure of plasma donation in a concise and easy-to-understand manner. So, we hope it was fun to read! You may also read about what is apheresis blood donation.