Blood donation? Donor underweight? Is there a height/weight ratio? Or just 110lbs?

by MargRN , BSN
Jul 6, '04 Views: 7,822 Comments: 2

I always thought that 110lbs or less meant a person was unable to donate. ANd I am referring to a healthy person.

What about a gal who is nearly 6 feet tall and weighs 127? Does the height/weight ratio play into this?

I'm curious personally not necessarily professionally. And the Red Cross site just stated the 110lbs info.

TIA!
About MargRN, BSN

Joined: Feb '04; Posts: 30; Likes: 3

2 Comments

Topic Closed
Jul 6, '04
Occupation: RN Specialty: Cardiology ; Joined: Jun '04; Posts: 515; Likes: 53

I'm not sure, good question. Whenever I donate, they just verify that I'm at least 17 years old, 110 lbs+, BP above 90/50, no temp, no low iron. I'm curious as to the answer of your question.
...Jennifer...
Jul 6, '04
Joined: Oct '01; Posts: 9,619; Likes: 14,054

It is my understanding that the cutoff is 110 lbs, no matter what the height. At 110 lbs of body weight, the donor is assumed to have sufficient circulating blood volume to be able to donate a unit without ill effects caused by hypovolemia or anemia, which would potentially affect those with a smaller body size.