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zenvelo's avatar

How can I boost my red blood cell count?

Asked by zenvelo (39548points) August 24th, 2014

Last week I donated blood using a new method. Instead of a pint of whole blood, I gave a pint of red blood cells, a double red blood cell donation, where the plasma and platelets were returned to me.

I seem to have “induced anemia.”

They told me my blood volume would be back to normal in 24 hours, but I cannot donate again for 16 weeks, twice as long as between whole blood donations. By then my red blood cell count will be back to normal.

My problem is I am having trouble exercising as well as I did before. I feel like I am running at altitude, my blood can’t carry enough oxygen to my muscles.

Any ideas on boosting my red blood cell count faster? And no, I can’t get a shot of EPO.

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6 Answers

talljasperman's avatar

Go for a vacation in the mountains… your red blood count will rise to combat the thinner atmosphere. You might get dizzy for the first day.

chyna's avatar

You could take an iron supplement or eat iron rich foods such a liver, red meat, dark leafy vegetables.

janbb's avatar

^^What she said.

Dutchess_III's avatar

Become a vampire. OK, well, then just suck the blood out of livers. Or eat the whole liver.

Araphel's avatar

Try cooking all or most your food in a cast iron skillet, doing so will infuse your food with iron.

JLeslie's avatar

Take some iron. Iron supplements should be taken on an empty stomach or with something high in vitamin C like orange juice. Food blocks some of the absorption of most iron supplements. Vitamin C helps absorb iron. Since you usually have good iron levels you could just take a daily of 18mg probably and it will help. If I remember correctly you are a man, and multi-vitamin supplements for men usually have 0–6mg. If your wife (if you have a wife) takes a daily supplement, hers likely has 18mg unless she is over 60. You could just steal some of hers for a few weeks.

Dark green leafy veggies like spinach and other dark greens are high in iron. Raisins have iron. Black beans have some iron.

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