Is donating blood exhausting your body in the long run?

Any reputable blood bank will pretest you to make sure you aren't anemic and are healthy enough to donate. I used to give blood every eight weeks, and ended up giving about four gallons (32 pints). I had to stop when I went on anti-coagulant medication. However, the major benefit was that I lost about a pound for every pint I gave. I didn't really get skinny, but it stopped me from getting fatter. LOL

Occam

Depends. If you're anemic already, then probably you shouldn't lose the blood. Sometimes it is helpful. For example, there is a condition where there is too much iron in your blood (hemochromatosis) and you must donate some blood otherwise the condition can get out of control.

As for recovering after donating blood, it might take awhile (days) because your body must make more blood cells to replenish those that you lost.

About 25 times; until I was "excused" because I had significant surgery that I would need my resources for. It brings no weaknesses of itself. The body quickly replaces the liquid, and replaces the components in a 'maintenance schedule' that we all have naturally, if we are well. But, haemoglobin testing is done before you donate, so as to enure that you do have sufficient iron chelates in your blood to allow the short term loss of some through the donation. Men almost always have higher iron levels; nature causes that. I used to have values > 180, with average levels suitable for donation in the range 120 -150 mmole/litre

Actually it's very good for your body. If you are male and donate 3 times a year it reduces your risk of stroke and cancer by 40% and heart attack by 50%. women have a natural way of clearing out the old blood and reducing their iron level. For men, build up of iron in your system can lead to cancer, stroke, or heart attack. Give blood and feel good about the 3-5 lives you save!!! Your body will make up for the lost blood within a few days.

Yeah its all right. They only problem i have with donating blood is that it makes me tired. But that is normally made up by the snack and juice that they provide afterwards. And the blood that you donated is replenished i think in 24 hours. So there's no problem :)

I donated blood last year, a pint, I could of done 2 with my height (5'11) and weight (180)

Haha but nah it wasn't exhausting at all. I was perfectly fine. Your body has like 5 or 10 pints of blood. I think 10...so if you just lose one you'll be fine.

They usually give you a snack and OJ.

well, your red bone marrow creates new blood cells when you're anemic. so don't worry about it. but losing them all in a short period of time is fatal.

not a problem, it's made up in hours.