• Jumi@lemmy.world
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    12 hours ago

    How does this work with the reproduction of new blood cells when you donate so often? I donate blood as often as I can and missing 500ml of the red juice is really noticeable.

    • stringere@sh.itjust.works
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      10 hours ago

      I did drink a lot of water but otherwise felt really good with fresh oil. I donated 32 times the first year I was diagnosed. Weekly was the most frequent I could do it, sometimes if my vitals or hemoglobin were off I would have to skip. My ferritin was 2700ng/mL when I found out. The normal range is 30-400. When I had a liver biopsy it showed my bile was carrying iron, something my hepatologist had never seen.

      Once I got my ferritin down I was able to donate less often but whenever my count gets higher I have to donate more frequently. Unfortunately I no longer can see the doctor who is familiar with my case and can’t afford the time off of work to find a new doctor covered by my insurance.