So, I gave blood today, as is my habit about every 112 days, going on the apharesis machine to do a double red donation. After the donation, as usual, I found myself having to urinate more often than usual. That's when it struck me. They still give the advice to be well hydrated before donation (and to eat a good meal), but the double red donation has the fluid being taken out replaced by saline solution before it's injected back in. Is drinking a few extra glasses of water before an apharesis donation necessary or even recommended?
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This is a questions where a little prior research -- which is required here -- would have saved you two bounty awards. The standard advice found on almost all authoritative sites is to be well hydrated and to eat well before donation. There doesn't appear to be a recommendation to increase hydration above normal levels from any source. So an extra glass of water or two isn't going to do you any harm, but it's also not necessary if you're otherwise normally hydrated.– Carey Gregory ♦Jan 18 at 1:49
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@careyGregory I agree that that's what's advised, bit it's also the advice I've always received before any blood donation, and when I'd asked the workers, they said that they had no idea if the advice to hydrate was as necessary as a whole blood donation. As for the bounty, it's internet points, no great loss. :)– Sean DugganJan 18 at 3:09
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Okay, but please understand that I'm not closing your question only because it was asked when the prior research requirement wasn't enforced as strictly, and I figured a 150 point penalty is punishment enough. What I learned in 5-10 minutes of searching was that over-hydrating wasn't recommended by anyone for either type of donation.– Carey Gregory ♦Jan 18 at 4:48
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According to the Stanford Blood Center and the American Society for Apharesis, you should increase your intake of fluids, calcium, and iron at least two days before your platelet donation appointment – this will help prevent negative donation reactions.
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I just realized that your answer is for platelet donation. I do RBC apharesis. Jan 17 at 20:07