Plasma donations

[cookiekangaroo]

Okay, so I went to donate (sell) plasma, and they told me that because I was trans that I couldn't donate. After discussing my case with someone there, they said I could up until I started T. so all was well or me to donate, and I passed the physical with flying colors...until medical history came up and they found out I had been previously diagnosed as bi-polar, so now I can't again. has anybody else had any of these problems donating, and if so, has anyone figured out a way around it?

[Z7Z]

That's odd they wouldn't let you donate... When I went to donate plasma, the staff said they had to contact the doctor(s?) to make sure it was ok that I donate since I'm on T, they made a big fuss about it and then ultimately decided it makes no difference and I could donate.

But then when they found out I occasionally have seizures randomly, they said I can't donate until/unless I've not had a seizure for 3 years. They never asked me about my mental health, but I wasn't done with the medical interrogation--er, "medical history questionnaire"--since the question about seizures was one of the first questions they asked.

I suggest letting them know that you have received treatment for bipolar and are now mentally healthy (I assume that's your circumstance). Or ask them how the heck one's mental status would effect the quality of your plasma 

[cookiekangaroo]

I did tell them I had been treated and was mentally stable, but they still refused. they also told me I would be permanently banned as soon as I start T, because that's a health risk as far as they're concerned.

[Adio]

I don't see why they wouldn't let you donate plasma for either reason.  Are you currently taking medication for bipolar disorder?  Some medications do prevent you from donating, but not the disorder itself (as far as I know).  Being transgender shouldn't bar you from donating nor should taking T.  What reasoning did they give?

[cookiekangaroo]

no, I'm not on any medication. and they said they're arfraid that plasma donations could be detrimental to hormone treatments or could cause health problems like a weakened immune system.

[Felix]

The bar is pretty low for plasma donation, and your being trans shouldn't be an issue. I'd argue with them.

I can't do it any more though. I had no history of seizures (and pretty sure I haven't had one since) and had a pretty bad one once while donating plasma. All I remember is waking up to a terrified-looking young doctor saying "she's in shock, I can't get her to respond" (this was 6 years ago, pre-transition). All the other people donating were talking a mile a minute about what they saw, and I was fuzzy and stupid. Staff gave me a little cup of juice and hustled me out. I got my 20 dollars. It wasn't the first time I donated, but it was sure as hell the last. I spent the rest of the day feeling like I'd been smacked with a baseball bat.