As someone who has been donating plasma regularly for a while now, the question “Is It Safe to Donate Plasma Twice a Week?” popped up in my mind quite frequently.
So, I did some research, talked to some experts, and even asked around at my local plasma donation center.
In this article, I’ll be sharing my personal findings for the Is It Safe to Donate Plasma Twice a Week question as well as the information I’ve gathered from experts.
Is It Safe to Donate Plasma Twice a Week?
No, it is not safe to donate plasma twice a week. The American Red Cross and CDC recommend a gap of at least 28 days between donations to allow the body to recover.
This article discusses in detail if is it safe to donate plasma twice a week. It also contains the latest scientific studies and news about this topic.
Is It Safe to Donate Plasma Twice a Week: Risks Involved
These are the potential risks involved if you do decide to donate plasma twice a week:
- Reduced iron levels and anemia
- Increased risk of dehydration
- Fatigue and weakness
- Reduced ability of the body to clot blood
- Impaired immune function
- Increased risk of infection
- Reduced platelet count
- Long term effects on overall health if not done correctly
- Risk of cardiovascular disease
- Risk of chronic plasma donors developing cirrhosis of the liver.
Check out our article if you are worried about is plasma donation painful?
What Are the Side Effects of Donating Plasma Twice a Week?
There are many risks involved as a result of donating blood plasma two times a week. The biggest risk is the potential to spread bloodborne viruses.
There is a chance that you could contract a virus from the plasma you donate. These viruses include HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C.
If you have donated plasma twice a week, you are much more likely to contract one of these viruses.
Best Time Gap Between Every Plasma Donation
It is important to have a 28-day gap between every donation of blood plasma. This is because if you donate plasma twice a week, your body will build up a tolerance to the protein.
The American Red Cross states that you should wait at least 28 days before donating plasma again. This is to give your body enough time to recover between donations.
Why Do I Have to Wait So Long Between Plasma Donations?
Plasma contains proteins that are very important to the body. If you donate plasma every 56 days, your body will build up a tolerance to the protein and you will need to donate plasma more frequently.
This is because the body will no longer be able to process the protein. This is why it is important to wait at least 28 days between every donation of plasma.
Why Can’t I Donate Plasma More Frequently?
The body needs time to recover between each donation of plasma. If you donate plasma every 28 days, you are much less likely to build up a tolerance to the protein.
FAQs on Is It Safe to Donate Plasma Twice a Week
These are the frequently asked questions on Is It Safe to Donate Plasma Twice a Week:
What are the risks associated with donating plasma twice a week?
Over-donation of plasma can lead to low protein levels, which may cause fatigue and other health issues.
Conclusion
Donating plasma twice a week is not safe. It is important to wait at least 28 days between every donation of plasma. If you are not comfortable donating plasma every 28 days, you should donate it every 56 days. I hope that I was able to answer your query about is it safe to donate plasma twice a week. I have also tried to explain why it is important to wait at least 28 days between every donation of plasma.
