How Often Can You Donate Plasma?

How Often Can You Donate Plasma?

Plasma is the clear liquid in your blood which makes it mobile and flow easily. Did you know that you could donate your plasma too? Here is everything you need to know about plasma donation. 

How Many Times Can You Donate Plasma?

Plasma donation is probably one of the most frequently done blood donations. It is very easy and the rest of the important components can be pumped back into your body.

So, how often can you donate plasma? For plasma donation, you can go through the process every 28 days, and over the span of a year, you can do it up to 10 to 12 times.

Granted, this is for a perfectly healthy candidate who is over the age of 18 and less than 65. Anyone below this criterion is not able to donate plasma. It’s for their own safety and general health. 

Does Frequency Impact The Donation Quality?

Plasma donation, as mentioned above, is probably one of the fastest and frequently done donations, but more frequency doesn’t always mean better, most of the time. Though if you want to know how often can you donate plasma, you can theoretically donate plasma every 28 days. However it’s best to give time to your body to help it heal and generate more plasma before you are ready to donate it again.

You can do it every 2 to 3 months, but it’s not best to do it every month, because it can impact the quality of plasma being produced in your body at such a hasty pace. So, try to give your body time and donate responsibly. 

Can I Donate Plasma?

Certain requirements need to be met in any case of blood donation. The criteria include:

• Having no apparent illness or blood disease which can be transferred to another person. 
• People with HIV, AIDS, and hepatitis cannot donate blood at all, not even plasma. 
• If you have low hemoglobin and iron levels, then you shouldn’t be donating blood in the first place. 
• If you are a patient with high blood pressure, diabetes, or are taking medication that can have adverse effects on a donation, then it’s best if you consult with a doctor first before donating. 

What Is The Difference Between Blood And Plasma Donation?

Plasma is the clear fluid that makes up your blood consistency. It is clear and the red color is imparted due to the red blood cells and iron in the blood composition. So, plasma donation is basically a clear donation where the red cells, platelets, and other components are separated from the plasma and only the clear fluid is collected while the separated contents are pumped back into the body. It doesn’t have as many side effects as normal blood donation and you don’t feel dizzy after plasma donation, whereas, in blood donation, you will. 

Conclusion

There you have it! Plasma donation is probably one of the easiest blood donations where you don’t feel weird or queasy after the process.

—

References:

1. bplplasma
2. healthline