How long are platelets good for

You may watch television or videotapes, listen to music, or simply sit back and relax while helping to save a life. Platelets help stop bleeding. Your platelet count will be determined with each platelet donation you make to ensure that you have enough platelets to be able to safely donate for another person. If your platelet count after the first donation is too low or too high, we will notify you.

An anticoagulant containing citrate is used to keep the blood flowing while our device collects the platelets from your blood. The citrate binds calcium temporarily to keep the blood from clotting.

When the blood is returned to you the anticoagulant can sometimes cause numbness and tingling of the fingertips or around the mouth. If you feel numbness and tingling, you should inform the operator running the machine immediately. These symptoms are easily treated with calcium, but if not treated can progress to muscle cramps.

The citrate is an energy source for your body and will be metabolized. Platelets are needed by patients in our community every day! Make your appointment at schedule. Saving lives through research, innovation, education and excellence in blood, medical and laboratory services in partnership with our community.

Donating platelets. What are Platelets? Why is there always a need for platelets? Sometimes this is called a platelet infusion.

You will be given platelets by a drip into one of your veins. This increases the number of platelets in your blood. Your doctor may recommend a platelet transfusion if your platelet count is low. Your may have a low platelet count if your bone marrow is not working normally. This may be because you have cancer, leukaemia or a blood disorder.

Treatment with chemotherapy , targeted therapies and sometimes surgery can also affect your platelet count. A type of radiotherapy called total body irradiation TBI can also affect your bone marrow and platelet count. During your cancer treatment, your doctor will closely monitor your platelet count. You will have regular blood tests to check the numbers of blood cells in your blood, including your platelets.

This test is called a full blood count FBC. The normal platelet count in an adult is between and x 10 9 per litre. But it is normal for the platelet count to be lower than this when you are having cancer treatment.

The risk of bleeding increases when the platelet count is below this level. But there is usually only a risk of bleeding if the platelets are as low as 10 or 20 x 10 9 per litre. Serious bleeding is rare and usually only happens if the platelet count is very low below 10 or if it is below 30 and you also have a high temperature.

Your body uses up platelets faster if you have a high temperature. If you are at home with a high temperature and think that your platelet count could be low, contact the hospital on the emergency numbers you have been given. You may also have a platelet transfusion if your platelet count is low before a procedure where there is a risk of bleeding. This includes surgery , a lumbar puncture or bone marrow aspiration. The platelet transfusion will reduce the risk of any bleeding during or after the procedure.

Before you have a transfusion, your doctor will explain why it is being given. They may also give you information to read. You will be asked to give your permission consent for the hospital staff to give you a platelet transfusion. Medical treatment can only be given with your consent. You may decide not to have a platelet transfusion.

It is important to tell your doctor or nurse if you decide not to have treatment. They will record your decision in your medical notes. You do not have to give a reason, but it can be helpful to tell the staff your concerns, so they can give you the best advice.

If this affects you, talk to your doctor about other treatments or ways to manage a low platelet count. Platelets come from people who donate their blood. In most cases, platelets do not need to be matched to your blood group in the same way as a blood transfusion. The platelets for transfusion are yellow-coloured and stored in small plastic bags.

Platelets, a vital component of blood, are primarily responsible for cessation of bleeding by forming blood clots. When removed from the blood stream and subjected to component manufacturing, platelets natural response is to form clots. Manufacturing and storage processes are designed to keep the platelets from clumping together and to keep them viable by strict room temperature requirements and continual agitation. Even with this care, the transfusion products only have a 5-day shelf life.

With such a short shelf life, comes high demand for donations of platelets.