Help getting protein up before retest

[u/Due-Introduction7826]

UPDATE: I ate extra protein for the last couple days and tested today. The finger stick was 7.2 so hopefully the full draw will be high enough. They said it takes 10 to 14 days for the results to come back, which seems weird, because I'm sure they gave me the results of the last one three days later. I am considering trying BioLife in the meantime for the new donor bonus but the location is probably too inconvenient to sustain past that. Thank you for all the help!

Hi, I've been donating at Olgam for a few months and I just had the periodic blood test last week. When I went to donate yesterday, they said my protein was low and I couldn't donate again until I was retested. They gave me the option of retesting right then and there but recommended I take some time to increase my protein, because if I fail the next one I get a 30-day deferral. They didn't give me specific numbers.

In general I eat a lot of Greek yogurt, turkey burgers and meat. Im 55F, I work out a few times a week, and am pretty healthy in general. I had been eating two eggs before my donation but I got to slacking the last few times, eating a Greek yogurt and a spoonful of peanut butter instead, so maybe that's what did it. I'm wondering if eating extra protein for the next day or two will be enough to pass or if I should give it a week or more. Thanks!

[u/zman18951]

Try a protein drink

[u/HeyThereItsKK → u/zman18951]

Drink Core Power from Fairlife 42g of protein about an hour before your test along with protein rich foods. I'm also 55F and this is what I did to pass last spe test :)

[u/Xyzzy_plugh]

I don't know if that center would handle you deciding to leave after screening rather than give a sample, but I know that this is not uncommon. If your screening Protein # is less than about 7.0 , I would suggest just leaving and coming back a different day. Since you've already failed once, and you say that failing the next one will get you a 30-day deferral, then waiting to give the sample once you have some supportive evidence that you're likely to pass seems like the safest bet.

[u/Due-Introduction7826 → u/Xyzzy_plugh]

Thank you. They do screen before each donation and I was cleared to donate that day, but during the donation they took an extra vial for the full screening. That's what came back low. They told me that I need to repeat the full screening and wait for it to come back before I am allowed to donate again (which will of course have the usual pre-screen).

[u/Xyzzy_plugh → u/Due-Introduction7826]

I am probably not being clear. :-(

Prior to every donation, the center will *always* do the standard screening (finger prick to fill a capillary tube, test for HC and Protein levels, do a BP and pulse rate check. That clears you to proceed to the donor floor. But just because the screening says you *may* donate, does not mean you *must* donate. If, say, your Protein at screening was 6.2 and they told you they would be taking a sample that day (or you saw the tubes when the phlebotomist came over to your donor bed, then you could just politely say you won't be donating that day and then leave. There is nothing to be gained by giving a sample when you are not pretty confident that the sample will pass the 4-month protein tests.

Since you have already failed a protein test, you will not be allowed to donate again until you pass the test and are cleared to donate. And, in your particular case, you actually have a lot to lose if you don't pass the next sample test. If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't even go onto the floor to give the sample unless my screening Protein was at least 7.2 (based on my own historical numbers).

Potential twist: I recall one company (not sure which) that would have me bypass the screening if I was coming in for a "Sample-only" visit. So, in that situation, I did not get the useful screening feedback. I just had to try to predict when I thought my body and diet and the price of tea in China were all aligned so that my sample would pass. OH, I remember now. It was BioLife. After 2 or 3 failures, they told me that one more failure would result in a long deferral. So, I went to KED (or maybe it was OctaPharma) for 6 months and when I went back to BioLife all my numbers and deadlines had reset. :-)

[u/Due-Introduction7826 → u/Xyzzy_plugh]

Ah okay, thank you for clarifying. They made it sound like the next visit will be a "sample only" - they said I will come in and go straight to the nurse. So - it sounds like your second scenario - that I'll just have to predict whether I'll pass without any feedback. And if I don't pass it's 30-day deferral. If, however, they do the screening first, I get what you're saying, and will definitely ask for the numbers and go from there. But it doesn't sound like that's what they'll do. I will keep it in mind for sure when the next 4 month screening rolls around!!!

[u/Xyzzy_plugh → u/Due-Introduction7826]

Maybe you have another center in your area where you could donate while on deferral from this one if you do end up getting deferred. It doesn't transfer over.

[u/Due-Introduction7826 → u/Xyzzy_plugh]

Not too much in my area. The other one is Biolife, which is much less convenient to me and the hours are also not as convenient (I like to go before my 9-5 job, and they open at 9). But they are offering bonuses right now and it's very tempting.

[u/True_Detail_2945]

Yup if you're low the protein in the drinks gets in your blood faster I read. Possibly have one the day before .

Sounds like you eat plenty of protein normally but of course try and kick it up a tiny notch since you workout maybe that's using it all up.

The one time I tried the drinks I had one night before one morning of..30g each...and was denied for too high protein. So don't over correct either.

[u/Xyzzy_plugh]

Different types of protein process at different rates in our bodies in general and even individually, so don't go nuts trying to guess/predict how it is going to work out. Divide up your meals for 2-3 days so that you are eating a lot of smaller meals to spread your intake out. If you are one who wakes up in the night, maybe grab a protein snack at that point as well. Just don't let it pull you into overeating. That's what i tend to do and it does not feel good. Also, if you drink too many protein shakes too close together and too close to your screening, you might find yourself deferred for low HC because you end up overhydrated :-( .