Thalassemia Patients and Friends

Discussion Forums => Miscellaneous Questions => Topic started by: Manal on August 14, 2006, 03:20:39 AM

Title: RBCs Life cycle
Post by: Manal on August 14, 2006, 03:20:39 AM
Concerning transfusion, it is known that the life cycle of a normal red blood cell is 90 days. When someone get transfused from where can he knows the ''age'' of the blood he is having. I mean one may be transfused with a blood that was produced in the doners body from 80 days, therefore it will break down in the recipent after 10 days and this will lead to inaccurancy when deciding how long it takes the thal person to maintain the HB level. Is what Iam saying is right or wrong??
Manal
Title: Re: RBCs Life cycle
Post by: Andy Battaglia on August 14, 2006, 03:26:59 AM
We've had a discussion about this in the thread, Are All Transfusions Equal on the Thalassemia-Related Issues Board at
http://www.thalassemiapatientsandfriends.com/index.php?topic=191.0

Title: Re: RBCs Life cycle
Post by: Danielle on August 14, 2006, 06:35:44 AM
When someone get transfused from where can he knows the ''age'' of the blood he is having.

Unfortunately, it's impossible.  The only way to do it, is if the blood bank microscopically examines it, or takes a hemoglobin sample of the unit of blood, which they would never do, because it's "too expensive" in their eyes.   :rolleyes

If you'd like other info on it, you can take a look at the other thread we have, that Andy has given you the link to.  :)