Failed haemoglobin test
The other day, I signed up for a blood donation campaign organized by my company's Community team. I have never donate blood before because I've always been afraid of injection and the sharp needle. Last year was the first time I overcome my fear and participated.
As a standard procedure, I was to fill-in a form and answering questions relating to my health. Next is to get my weight. After that was the painful finger prick to get my blood for testing to see if I'm qualified to donate.
The nurse will then put a drop of that blood into a solution. This is to check my haemoglobin level to see whether it meets the required standard. My blood floats, which means I failed the haemoglobin test, which also means I cannot donate :(
I was then given a pack of vitamin tablet, consists of 4 different types of pills. One of them was folic acid and another one was vitamin B. The other 2 was not labeled, I have no idea what kind of vitamin they were. And that was last year.
This year, I once again overcome my fear and sign up for the blood donation. I was very nervous that morning before the donation, thinking about the pack of blood they're going take out from my body. Unfortunately (or is it fortunate coz no need kena cucuk), I did not passed the blood-sink-or-float test. I failed again this year...
Well, it does makes me wonder about my body. Haemoglobin is what carries oxygen to other parts of the body. How do I manage all the hiking if I do not have enough haemoglobin to carry oxygen around?
It also makes me think if the lack of haemoglobin is related to my slow heart beat. A normal pulse rate for a healthy adult, while resting, can range from 60 to 100 beats per minute. For me, my resting pulse rate is around 47 to 50 beats per minute (count it when I write this post). This low pulse rate is what caused me to spend more than RM500 on a cardiologist check-up some time last year. The checkup shows that I have a healthy heart although it is beating at a slow rate. Doctor couldn't figure out why it is slow but since it didn't cause me any implications, there's no need for the doctor to take further actions.
Ahhh....long holiday ahead!!! Yeah yeah...
As a standard procedure, I was to fill-in a form and answering questions relating to my health. Next is to get my weight. After that was the painful finger prick to get my blood for testing to see if I'm qualified to donate.
The nurse will then put a drop of that blood into a solution. This is to check my haemoglobin level to see whether it meets the required standard. My blood floats, which means I failed the haemoglobin test, which also means I cannot donate :(
I was then given a pack of vitamin tablet, consists of 4 different types of pills. One of them was folic acid and another one was vitamin B. The other 2 was not labeled, I have no idea what kind of vitamin they were. And that was last year.
This year, I once again overcome my fear and sign up for the blood donation. I was very nervous that morning before the donation, thinking about the pack of blood they're going take out from my body. Unfortunately (or is it fortunate coz no need kena cucuk), I did not passed the blood-sink-or-float test. I failed again this year...
Well, it does makes me wonder about my body. Haemoglobin is what carries oxygen to other parts of the body. How do I manage all the hiking if I do not have enough haemoglobin to carry oxygen around?
It also makes me think if the lack of haemoglobin is related to my slow heart beat. A normal pulse rate for a healthy adult, while resting, can range from 60 to 100 beats per minute. For me, my resting pulse rate is around 47 to 50 beats per minute (count it when I write this post). This low pulse rate is what caused me to spend more than RM500 on a cardiologist check-up some time last year. The checkup shows that I have a healthy heart although it is beating at a slow rate. Doctor couldn't figure out why it is slow but since it didn't cause me any implications, there's no need for the doctor to take further actions.
Ahhh....long holiday ahead!!! Yeah yeah...
Labels: All about ME, Healthy living
posted by LieWei at 10:54 PM
4 Comments:
I can't donante too! high blood...
By
Anonymous, at May 3, 2008, 3:06:00 PM
Lack of exercise??
I can't donate too! I got thalassemia, my blood cell have very short life span.
By
Anonymous, at May 11, 2008, 8:36:00 PM
The blood float test really just checks how much iron is in your blood. If it concerns you that much you could take iron supplements.
Also, I have a low heart rate around 50 bpm. Doctors were concerned about it, but I took tests also, and they just realized it's because I run so much. Being in the mid 40s to low 50s is actually average for active people. A slower heart rate is usually healthier anyway.
By
Ninefingers, at May 22, 2008, 6:13:00 AM
i'm glad i fall in the slower heart rate category, which just means i'm healthy :)
By
LieWei, at May 22, 2008, 1:06:00 PM
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