Donating plasma is a great way to help others, as your plasma could be used for life-saving treatments for patients in need. However, plasma donation centers prioritize donors’ and recipients’ safety and well-being. Potential donors who do not meet certain criteria may be disqualified from donating.
Understanding what can lead to donating plasma disqualifications can help you prepare and increase the likelihood of a successful donation. Here are some common reasons for disqualification and how you can ensure a smooth donation experience.
What Disqualifies You From Donating Plasma?
There are plenty of reasons why potential donors are disqualified during their appointment. Before scheduling your appointment, review the checklist of donation criteria and how to prepare for your appointment to avoid some common reasons for donating plasma disqualifications:
Alcohol Intake
Consuming alcohol within 24 hours of your plasma donation can disqualify you from donating. Alcohol can dehydrate the body and affect the quality of your plasma. It can also interfere with blood tests and impair the body’s ability to recover after donation. To ensure a safe and effective donation process, avoid alcoholic beverages for 24 hours before donating.
Tattoos and Piercings
If you recently got a tattoo or piercing, you may be temporarily disqualified from donating plasma. The concern is the risk of infection, particularly from non-sterile equipment or environments. ABO Plasma requires donors to wait four months after getting a tattoo or piercing before donating.
Medications
Some medications can make you temporarily ineligible to donate plasma. Blood thinners, antibiotics, and some psychiatric drugs may affect the plasma’s quality or pose a risk to recipients. During the pre-donation screening process, you should disclose all medications you take. Our staff can advise whether you can donate or if your medications make you temporarily or permanently disqualified from donating.
Caffeinated Beverages
Consuming a high amount of caffeine up to three hours before plasma donation can affect your eligibility. Caffeine is a diuretic that can dehydrate you and make it difficult to draw sufficient plasma. Additionally, it can elevate your heart rate and blood pressure, which could affect your vital signs during pre-screening.
To avoid issues, limit intake of coffee, energy drinks, and other caffeinated beverages on the day of your donation. Instead, drink more water two to three hours before your appointment.
Greasy Foods
Consuming greasy or fatty foods before donating plasma can negatively impact its quality. Fatty substances in the bloodstream can cause a condition known as lipemia, which clouds the plasma and makes it unsuitable for use in treatments. Avoid or minimize your intake of fried foods, fast food, and dairy products at least 24 hours before donating.
Smoking
Smoking before donating plasma can lead to temporary disqualification. Nicotine and other harmful substances in cigarettes can affect blood flow and oxygen levels, potentially leading to complications during the donation process.
It is advisable to refrain from smoking at least one hour before donating to ensure your body is in the best condition for the procedure. This break helps to stabilize blood oxygen levels and ensures a more comfortable donation experience.
Heavy Exercise
Engaging in heavy exercise or intense physical activity shortly before donating plasma can also disqualify you. Strenuous workouts can affect your heart rate and blood pressure, affecting your ability to meet the eligibility criteria. Additionally, exercise can lead to dehydration, impacting the plasma donation process. Avoid heavy exercise for at least 24 hours before your donation appointment.
What Are the Requirements To Donate Plasma?
To be eligible to donate plasma at any ABO Plasma donation center, there are several general requirements that potential donors must meet:
- Age: Donors typically must be between 18 and 70 years old.
- Weight: A minimum weight requirement of 110 pounds (50 kg) ensures the donor has sufficient blood volume to donate plasma safely.
- Health Status: Donors should be in good general health, free from infections, and without any active or chronic diseases that could affect the donation process.
- Piercings or Tattoos: Donors should not have had new piercings or tattoos done in the last four months.
- Residence: Donors should reside within 50 miles of the plasma donation center.
- Identification: Donors must present a valid government-issued photo ID and proof of address.
Those who meet these initial criteria are encouraged to schedule an appointment at their local plasma donation center. Before each donation, a thorough health screening is conducted to ensure a donor is in optimal health. This includes checking vital signs, a finger-prick test for hemoglobin levels, and reviewing the donor’s medical history and lifestyle.
Visit ABO Plasma for a Safe and Efficient Plasma Donation Experience!
Donating plasma is a way to give back to your community, but it’s important to be aware of the factors that lead to donating plasma disqualifications. If you meet the eligibility criteria and are ready to make a difference, consider scheduling an appointment at ABO Plasma – West Valley City and take the first step toward creating a positive impact by helping save lives.