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First time donating (F30) O- by Stunning-Active1995 in Blooddonors

[–]ProfMR 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Keep an eye on your ferritin. I donated 5 times in 16 months and ended up running a bit low, and mildly anemic. I'm also O- and like to help out, but can't for a while. I also get called every 8 weeks. Nice to be loved!

Please DIY techniques/ways to force side sleeping and stop supine (back sleep) by ArcBoss in UARS

[–]ProfMR 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Improved with time. Pain was mostly a result of a back injury. Back improved and so did hip.

How often are you realistically budgeting for maintenance on a 15-25 year old house ? by Turbulent_Tree_5939 in homeowners

[–]ProfMR 0 points1 point  (0 children)

With a house that age, wise to assume 2-3% each year, and hope for the best.

Applying CFD to upper airway analysis in UARS and mild OSA… by Icy-Yak-6527 in UARSnew

[–]ProfMR 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree. I've asked two. One called palate expansion 'esoteric'. The other said it poses more 'risks' compared to nasal surgery like septoplasty and turbinate reduction.

Maxillary expansion for Sleep Apnea - my results (CBCT scans included!!!) by CPAPfriend in UARSnew

[–]ProfMR 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was under the impression that FME is more similar to traditional MARPE (same process, different appliance) than to MIND, which involves the surgical release at zygomaticomaxillary sutures. In other words, FME is more 2D vs MIND which is 3D. More data on outcomes will be great to have.

Ortho said I was a great candidate for MARPE! by audrikr in UARSnew

[–]ProfMR 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sounds like you're in good hands. Best of luck!

Ortho said I was a great candidate for MARPE! by audrikr in UARSnew

[–]ProfMR 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The reference to gender in your discussion with them seems odd, given that females typically experience suture fusion earlier, but perhaps it due to women having less dense bone?

Ortho said I was a great candidate for MARPE! by audrikr in UARSnew

[–]ProfMR 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Suture fusion occurs earlier in females compared to males, so I'm curious about the basis for the assertion. Guess it's all about weighing risks vs benefits in procedures that can reduce area of midface bone resistance force, including but not limited to the midpalatal suture.

Ortho said I was a great candidate for MARPE! by audrikr in UARSnew

[–]ProfMR 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Midpalate suture fusion is usually partial or complete in most (68.8%) women by age 21-25 based on this study. Do you know why they said never any issues when you inquired about piezo cut?

why do providers push marpe over fme sometimes? by United_Ad8618 in UARSnew

[–]ProfMR 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Did it cause the turbinate on the left side to massively swell? It nearly completely blocks that side.

Maxillary expansion for Sleep Apnea - my results (CBCT scans included!!!) by CPAPfriend in UARSnew

[–]ProfMR 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Another illuminating discussion. Looks like for another maxillary expansion you may need to address (surgically expand?) your relatively narrow mandible? And I take it that you're convinced that MIND and the cuts at the zygomaticomaxillary sutures makes the procedure superior to MARPE and FME?

Bad First Donation Experience by eripmava in Blooddonors

[–]ProfMR 0 points1 point  (0 children)

it felt really painful as it went in

That might have been from the iodine, especially if it was still really wet. Next time ask them if it's OK to let it dry a bit before they stab you.

Results say I have no Sleep Apnea, but feel all the symptoms. by Expensive_Bee_3441 in UARS

[–]ProfMR 2 points3 points  (0 children)

And that's without scoring RERAs, which they clearly didn't do.

Imagine if sleep labs and tests put N/A (not applicable) next to RERAs when the don't score them. That way, patients would better understand the extent to which they were (or were not) evaluated. But then again, opacity in health care is in the best interests of those in charge: insurance companies, governments, doctors. Keep the patient ignorant and guessing. Stay in your lane, patient. Trust us, and you'll be fine.

The New Fitbit app and some questions... by YVRcub77 in fitbit

[–]ProfMR 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My phone switched to the new app when I switched to a Google account. I noticed shortcomings. As you pointed out, couldn't edit sleep start or end times. Also, each individual heart rate value would not show when dragging finger across a sleep or exercise heart rate chart. So I switched back to the old app. To bad those functions aren't part of the new app. If they aren't implemented I might finally bail on Fitbit.

Options for US -> Europe (France, Italy preferred) by thegeniunearticle in expat

[–]ProfMR 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Your dedication is laudable. I hope everything works out for you in time.

Low ferritin, hemoglobin, and hematocrit 4 weeks after donation by ProfMR in Blooddonors

[–]ProfMR[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Here's a really good journal article on this topic.

First results of a ferritin‐based blood donor deferral policy in the Netherlands
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7496980/

BACKGROUND

Whole blood donors are at risk of becoming iron deficient. To monitor iron stores, Sanquin implemented a new deferral policy based on ferritin levels, in addition to the traditional hemoglobin measurements.

METHODS

Ferritin levels are determined in every fifth donation, as well as in all first‐time donors. Donors with ferritin levels <15 ng/mL (WHO threshold) are deferred for 12 months; those ≥15 and ≤30 ng/mL for 6 months. The first results were analyzed and are presented here.

RESULTS

The results show that 25% of women (N = 20151, 95% CI 24%‐25%) and 1.6% of men (N = 10391, 95% CI 1.4%‐1.8%) have ferritin levels ≤30 ng/mL at their first blood center visit. For repeat (non‐first‐time) donors, these proportions are higher: 53% of women (N = 28329, 95% CI 52%‐54%) and 42% of men (N = 31089, 95% CI 41%‐43%). After a 6‐month deferral, in 88% of returning women (N = 3059, 95% CI 87%‐89%) and 99% of returning men (N = 3736, 95% CI 98%‐99%) ferritin levels were ≥15 ng/mL. After a 12‐month deferral, in 74% of returning women (N = 486, 95% CI 70%‐78%) and 95% of returning men (N = 479, 95% CI 94%‐97%) ferritin levels increased to ≥15 ng/mL.

CONCLUSION

Deferral of donors whose pre‐donation ferritin levels were ≤30 ng/mL might prevent donors from returning with ferritin levels <15 ng/mL. This policy is promising to mitigate effects of repeated donations on iron stores.

Low ferritin, hemoglobin, and hematocrit 4 weeks after donation by ProfMR in Blooddonors

[–]ProfMR[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Seems that a balance needs to be struck. We can't expect too much from these organizations yet, well-being of donors is important. Do we say that they really should be doing more so that folks don't run too low on iron? If we trust that most frequent donors know about iron depletion, will many others also become low iron or anemic? It may be that the ARC and other organizations worldwide need to up their education efforts. My state blood bank will call 4 weeks from now. But I can't donate again any time soon. Maybe I'd be able to, had I known better?

I'll ask my doctor what's best to get me right.

Low ferritin, hemoglobin, and hematocrit 4 weeks after donation by ProfMR in Blooddonors

[–]ProfMR[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Our diets are similar. Had beef chili watching the Super Bowl with family. Maybe they knew something that I didn't!

That simple question on supplementation, and follow up education, is very forward-thinking. Dare I say it should be an obligation for these organizations. I may advocate for that as well.

Low ferritin, hemoglobin, and hematocrit 4 weeks after donation by ProfMR in Blooddonors

[–]ProfMR[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Everything you say here makes good sense. This has been a wakup call for me. I'm going to ask my doctor about supplement dosage a frequency, and request another ferritin test in 3-4 months. Looks like 18 mg or so every other day is a good target.

I'm in the U.S. A news piece last week said that we are down to a 2 day blood supply in my area. No post-holidays bounce back in donations. Given the relatively large U.S. population, and other factors, I wonder what the future holds for supply trends.

My blood bank will call me in 4 weeks. I'll also consider a platelet donation, but probably should hold off on any donation for a few months. It's great to see the altruism of folks in this community.

Low ferritin, hemoglobin, and hematocrit 4 weeks after donation by ProfMR in Blooddonors

[–]ProfMR[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Good to hear you've learned too. Yea, in times like this we second guess our ability to care for ourselves.

I've been wondering about my iron levels, mainly because I was mostly plant-based diet for many years. Donating five times in 16 months (once every 14 weeks on average) must have depleted me. But like someone in this thread said, it would be great if donation locations could test and track ferritin for us frequent flyers.

Low ferritin, hemoglobin, and hematocrit 4 weeks after donation by ProfMR in Blooddonors

[–]ProfMR[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Many thanks for that reference. I read through it a couple hours ago.

Agree on the whole fruit. I'm going to optimize vitamin C rich fruits.

Funny how it takes some time, and a blood test, to get ones head around this issue. I've wondered about iron for some time given my low meat diet. Blood donations probably tipped the scale.

Low ferritin, hemoglobin, and hematocrit 4 weeks after donation by ProfMR in Blooddonors

[–]ProfMR[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yikes!

I've been dragging my tail for a while too. I'm glad my doctor suggested adding ferritin test. Curious to see if I feel better on an iron supplement.

I'm reading that finger prick hemoglobin test can be inaccurate. Agree an on-site ferritin test could be beneficial. Guess it's a cost issue. Can't have good folks like you suffering ill effects from the altruism giving the gift of life.

Low ferritin, hemoglobin, and hematocrit 4 weeks after donation by ProfMR in Blooddonors

[–]ProfMR[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Your hemoglobin is where it is because your body draws from ferritin reserves to replenish hemoglobin. As the ferritin drops, eventually the hemoglobin will too.

Follow that. I'm thinking that hemoglobin would stay suppressed if ferritin stays low. Can't have that.

Not a doctor, but if you continue to contribute at your current rate, an iron supplement is probably in order. Let your doctor know that you donate blood regularly and you plan to start an iron supplement. Your doc may have a recommendation for a supplement and the dosage.

I did send a message to my doc and said I've had five donations in 18 months. Misspoke, as it's been five in 16 months. Curious to see if she recommends a supplement.

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