Gave blood, tried riding 2 days later..

[Tri Girl]

I've only had one bad reaction after donating, and not since (and that was immediately after when I passed out- now I put ice packs on my neck during donation and drink a gatorade).
I donate every 8 weeks- I usually work out before I dontate, then again the next day. I've never experienced what you did 2 days after. I think your reaction may be a result of your own body's reaction to the depletion of the blood (and maybe it's just mad at you for taking a pint away from it ). Are you low body weight, or have normally low blood pressure? Torrilin could be right on.
Anywho- hope it doesn't happen again. Keep on donating, tho!

Oh- and we went to ancient ruins in Mexico and couldn't donate for a year. I was totally bummed. If I'd known that- I wouldn't have gone (to the ruins- I still would've gone to Mexico). I understand that they just want to be extra cautious tho- if I'd developed malaria months after returning I sure wouldn't want to have given that to someone.
I didn't mind the inconvenience- I'm glad they have so many precautions- makes it safer in the end.

[Tuckervill]

Here's a question. I've rarely if ever been able to donate blood because they always tell me I'm anemic. It has happened so often that I don't even bother stopping in anymore.

When I've brought this to the attention of various doctors, they usually do nothing nor do they ask further questions. I had blood work last year and it was all normal.

Should I do anything about the blood bank findings?

Karen

[Dianyla]

When I've brought this to the attention of various doctors, they usually do nothing nor do they ask further questions. I had blood work last year and it was all normal.

Ask to have your serum ferritin levels tested. Ferritin is not always tested as part of normal blood work. This test will show how much available iron you have stored in your body. You could be anemic, or you could be just on the "low end of normal". In those two cases, you should look at supplementing with oral iron pills. Be sure to get it checked before you start popping iron pills, though, because it is possible to take too much iron and get sick from that. It doesn't sound very likely in your case, this is just a standard disclaimer to anyone who might think it's safe to just start taking iron over the counter.