65 Gallon

Clif, Sorry for the delay in getting back to you., I had to do some research to answer your question. My most recent platlet counts have been, respectively: 207, 197, 187, 193, and 211. So, I guess the answer is, "No, I am not able to keep my count above 200, at least, not by much." While talking to blood bank personel, I discovered that, prior to my 6-month haitus, by platlet count was in the 280 to 300+ range. Thanks for yout input. Bob

I tried this once, and I must have screwed up, because it didn't work. The last time all of the old posts on the topic showed up, but my recent one didn't. So, I'll try again. Last spring I was disqualified from donating for six months because of a warm autoantibody in my blood. I reluctantly served my six-month sentence, got satisfactorily retested, and am donating again. However, I now have a different problem. My platelet count has nose-dived to under 200. Consequently, I can only donate a single unit of platelets. I donated doubles for years. Two questions: What would cause my platelet count to drop in the six months I was unable to donate? Is there anything I can do, diet-wise to build platelets?

Well, I have now served my six month sentence, been retested, and reinstated, so I am donating again. Its great to be back. I was suffering withdrawal. However, I now have a new problem; my platlet count has dropped to the point that I am only able to donate a single unit of platlets, while I had always been able to donate a double previously. Any thoughts on why it dropped, and what I can do to get it back up? Does diet affect platlet count?

Cliff, When I used the term "false positive", I wasn't suggesting that the lab made a mistake. I was thinking more along the lines of the latter explanation. I was informed by the blood bank that my physician may wish to repeat the Coombs test. However, they are saying that a negitive rest result won't let me off the hook, until they repeat the test. Apparently the blood bank test is more sensitive.

I guess Clif and I have something in common. I, too, have been called a metal technologist, or metallurgist. Oh, wait, medal is not the same as metal. My mistake. I did spend most of my career in Quality Control.

Clif, Thank you for your info and understanding. You are right. Obviously, the primary goal of all of us is the safety of the recipient. I understand that, but don't want to quit donating if it is possble to safely continue. The blood bank informed me that I also had a positive DAT or Coombs test, which frequently occurs with the warm autoantibody. They tell me that the presence of this extra protein makes crossmatching difficult or impossible. Is it possible that the positive test resulted from a temporory condition? I was recovering from cold, which I should have revealed to the screener prior to donating, but didn't. Also, do false positive test results occur? I emailed my doctor about the warm autoantibody, and have an appointment to see him. I will walk in the door with the blood bank letter in hand. One more question, What do all the letters after your signature represent? Just curious. Thanks again.

The blood bank did inquire about any recent change in medications, but I am not taking anything.

I'm new to this group, so forgive me if this isn't the right place, but I have a question. After donating platlets every 2 weeks for years, I was disqualified from donating because of a warm autoantibody. The blood bank wants me to wait 6 months and be retested. What are my options?