Bulimia and giving blood

[Portia]

I have wanted to give blood for a while and finally went to get my blood tested a few months ago. They said I would be tested for diseases, infections ect. Apparently my blood passed the test and I'm now scheduled to give blood in two days.

I'm getting concerned about low potassium levels, though. Do they check for that as well? Or could I potentially be harming someone by giving blood with a low potassium level?

(I haven't purged in a few days, so if I can stick it out til tuesday, I'm definitely going)

[SkinnyMD]

You can take some potassium supplements a couple days before or just eat potassium rich food. They make you eat a full meal before and after too so you might as well. I don't think you can hurt someone but if you're going to donate blood, it's safe to assume you want to give healthy blood.

[elzie]

The body is fantastic at replacing things it needs asap, especially if you're young so carry on not purging and it should be fiiiine.

[haifisch]

I gave blood when I was binging and purging on a daily basis, I was a normal weight then. My blood was fine.. but I don't really know if the potassium was a problem. No one said anything so neither did I.

Maybe take supplements or eat potassium rich foods (if you can) before hand.

[scout]

I've given blood before and was stupid enough not to eat or drink anything before or after... I was totally fine and was just a little tired after. I'm sure my blood was fine, they never called to say anything was wrong with it anyway

[Portia]

Thank you for your answers.
I'll go ahead and do it then.

It would be nice to feel useful for a change.

[ijustmight]

Make sure you eat a lot of iron rich foods as well! I went to give blood a month ago and couldn't because they test that right away and mine were too low. I made sure I ate lots of spinach and was actually able to give blood 2 days ago

[Chibi]

i was really worried bout this when i went to give blood, that they would somehow know.
but yeah they just check your iron. apparently mine was higher than average -_- like. wht the fuck.
(i bp on a daily basis) i kind of felt like.. almost tooo healthy lol coz here i am worrying that my blood sucks and yet i hae a higher than average iron count blarrgh. (like i wasnt being good enough at being sick if that makes sense.. my heads a bit fucked tbh)
but even if they do see abnormalities in your blood i really doubt anyone would suspect an eating disorder. maybe just that you are dehydrated etc. im planning to go again soon but i forget the exact day i went last time so cant go immediately dammit lol

[Portia]

I just want to thank you all for your replies. I ate spinach and banana yesterday and managed not to b/p, so I went to give blood today. It was perfectly fine.. All that worrying for nothing.. :-)