Is giving platelets better than giving blood?
Platelet Donation
A single donation of platelets can yield several transfusable units, whereas it takes about five whole blood donations to make up a single transfusable unit of platelets.
Type O negative, often called the “universal” blood, is always in demand because O negative red blood cells can be transfused to anyone regardless of their blood type. Those with A+, B+, AB+ or AB- type blood are commonly recruited as platelet donors.
Yes. Donor eligibility criteria are the same for both platelet and whole blood donors. You can donate platelets 7 days after donating whole blood. If you donate platelets first, you can donate whole blood 7 days later.
For women who have been pregnant, their platelet donations are tested for Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) antibodies. The presence of antibodies to Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) in the blood can cause an adverse reaction in patients receiving blood including lung injury and poor response to platelet transfusions.
Does donating platelets hurt? Will it make me feel sleepy? Most people say they only feel a slight pinch of the needle at the start of the donation. Because platelet donors get their oxygen-carrying red cells back, donors report feeling less tired than after giving blood.
O-negative is the universal blood type, meaning that anyone can receive your blood. And O- and O+ blood are both extra special when it comes to traumas where there is no time for blood typing. Whole blood donors are eligible to give blood every eight weeks.
After a short rest, you are ready to go. It doesn't take long to recover after giving platelets as your body replaces platelets quickly, usually within 48 hours.
One of the world's rarest blood types is one named Rh-null. This blood type is distinct from Rh negative since it has none of the Rh antigens at all. There are less than 50 people who have this blood type. It is sometimes called “golden blood.”
Have iron-rich foods, such as red meat, fish, poultry, beans, spinach, iron-fortified cereals or raisins.
An increased or normalized platelet count is generally seen within 2 weeks of therapy, particularly with high-dose dexamethasone.
How many platelets can increase in a day?
A normal platelet count is between 150,000 and 400,000 per microliter of blood. Because platelets only live in the body for about 10 days, your bone marrow creates millions of platelets each day.
The universal blood type for platelet transfusions is AB positive (AB+). One of the rarest of all blood types, only 3% of the population has this special blood type. Platelets from AB positive donors can be used for any patient in need.

Platelets. You can donate platelets once in a seven day period and up to 24 times a year. You must wait at least 7 days after donating platelets before donating whole blood. After an automated double red cell collection, you must wait 112 days before donating again.
But depending on the market, one unit can be worth a whole lot more. For example, the red blood cells can go for $229, platelets for $300 and plasma for $40 – nearly $570 in all.
Platelet donation has health benefits for the donor. Each time you receive a free wellness check, which includes blood pressure, pulse, temperature and hemoglobin (Hb). There is an ongoing need for platelet donations as they are only viable for five (5) days.
Depending on your individual eligibility, you may be able to donate one, two, or three units of platelets during one appointment. Double and triple platelet donors provide an entire extra unit of platelets for patients, and help make the transfusion process safer for patients who need multiple units.
Reduce Cholesterol Levels
Donating plasma doesn't only make you more aware of your diet. It may also have a positive impact on your physical health. One health benefit of regular plasma donation is the potential reduction of bad cholesterol levels and the increase of good cholesterol, especially in women.
How to prepare for your first platelet donation - YouTube
It is because of the blood drawn each time for testing and the residual blood in the platelet kits after their donations. The aggregate puts donors over the allowable limit for volume and/or overall frequency when combined with their platelet donations.
Blood is considered Rh-null if it lacks all of the 61 possible antigens in the Rh system. This not only makes it rare, but this also means it can be accepted by anyone with a rare blood type within the Rh system. This is why it is considered “golden blood.” It is worth its weight in gold.
What is the rarest blood type?
What's the rarest blood type? AB negative is the rarest of the eight main blood types - just 1% of our donors have it. Despite being rare, demand for AB negative blood is low and we don't struggle to find donors with AB negative blood.
You must be in good health at the time you donate. You cannot donate if you have a cold, flu, sore throat, cold sore, stomach bug or any other infection. If you have recently had a tattoo or body piercing you cannot donate for 6 months from the date of the procedure.
- Don't eat immediately before donating. ...
- Don't give blood if you feel sick. ...
- Don't worry about drinking coffee, tea or any other caffeinated beverages before donating. ...
- Don't smoke or drink alcoholic beverages before donating. ...
- Don't stay up too late the night before.
But when you donate regularly, it gives you the opportunity to save multiple lives. Burning calories. No, blood donation won't become a weight loss fad any time soon. However, researchers at the University of California, San Diego have found that you can lose up to 650 calories per pint of blood donated.
The rarest blood types are: B negative(B -ve), which is found in 1.5 percent of the total population. AB negative(AB -ve), which is found in 0.6 percent of the total population. AB positive(AB +ve), which is found in 3.4 percent of the total population.