What do they screen for when platelets?

I am prepping myself to donate platelets for the first time. Once when I gave blood they gave me my cholesterol reading. When you give platelets, do they screen for things such as low white cell count or cholesterol? In other words, you could sort of consider giving blood like an AIDS test, as they would notify you if you had the disease.
Also,... all the websites say it doesnt, but does it hurt/ make you feel woozy?

Ive given blood many times and understand the procedure. I wasnt implying you can "catch" aids from giving blood. However, if you are HIV and give blood, you will be notified because they screen for the disease. Therefore, its safe to say if you are not contacted after giving blood that you are not HIV/ AIDS. To clarify, AIDS isnt a concern of mine, it was just an example.

Donation procedures differ from state to state, and city to city depending on the collection agency. I can tell you that when donating platelets (which is a lengthy procedure that generally will take at least two hours, it is much more time intensive than the usual whole blood donation) the nurse will draw off a little blood in order to perform an immediate CBC (Complete Blood Count). The nurses do this to quantify your platelet and hemoglobin count in order to determine more precisely how many units of platelets you can donate. The inital donation parameters are determined by using the HgB measure of a fingerstick (the hemoglobin is used to determine if you are to "anemic" to give blood). This number has a rough, but not exact, correlation to platelet count and is determined by a formula. Then, while the centrifuge process of spinning your blood down and removing the platelets has begun, the CBC is performed. The components of the CBC include white cell count, red cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean cell volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, red cell distribution width and platelet count.

In addition to this there is some blood drawn off to do the usual screens that are not done that same day, but done before the platelets/blood products are transfused. These generally include.

1. HIV
2. Hepatitis B
3. Hepatitis C
4. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) status
5. Syphilis

and may include other infectious agents. Also for platlets the HLA subtype is generally tested. None of these test results is relayed back to the patient, unless it is positive for a treatable illness that warrants attention (as you pointed out HIV). For instantace a positive CMV status is not reported to the donor as the majority of people are CMV positive and have no adverse affects from infection if they are immunocompetent.

Cholesterol readings may be included as part of larger health initiatives but have no bearing on the donated blood and are not part of a general screening protocol.

The platelet donating procedure is more uncomfortable than giving blood. Like I said, there is a large amount of time involved (sometimes greater than 2 hours if giving 3 units of platelets) and you cannot move your arm for this amount of time...in addition you do have a rather large needle stuck in your vein - while this doesn't "hurt" it can be construed as uncomfortable. The blood is drawn up by vacumn spun down and then returned under pressure with some platelets removed. Some people experience the pressurized return as unpleasant...it does feel like a cold infusion into your vein.

Lastly, the anticoagulant used to keep your blood from clotting is Citrate. It binds calcium in your blood and can cause transient effects of hypocalcemia including numbness and tingling of the lips and extremities. They have some oral tums at the center if you experience these symptoms....

Overall it's not the most fun way to spend your time, but it is well worth it. Platlets have a shelf life of only 3 days (they cannot be refrigerated) and there is always a high demand for them - even higher than red blood cells.


ADDENDUM - In answer to you other questions. It depends on the center where you donated, or in particular the nurse who is performing the procedure. As I said before the variation in protocols is wide depending on your location. Some centeres will have no problem giving you a copy of your CBC, while others will steadfastly refuse to allow you to see your test results (which is silly, but I suppose they are trying to prevent people from donating to get a free blood test).

Your carpel-tunnel syndrome should have no bearing on the procedure. Generally your wrist can be held in a manner that will not aggrivate your carpel-tunnel during the hours you are donating platlets. Any extra tingling you get in your extremities can be treated with the calcium suppliments that are on site. I myself have never had tingling in my hands. Ususally you have tingling and numbness around your mouth first when you get hypocalcimic from the citrate anticoagulant solution.

Giving blood takes only a short time: just 7-10 minutes to draw your blood, plus approximately 40 minutes for registration, pre-donation health screening, and snack/rest period afterward.
Every donated pint of blood can help 3-4 people.
You CANNOT get AIDS or any other infectious disease from the act of donating blood. Equipment used to collect blood comes prepackaged and sterile; it is used just once and then properly disposed.
they check your cholesterol, and you may get a little wozzy but they make sure you don't..im sure if you have aids they will let you know, they wouldnt beable too take your blood anymore.

I donate platelets every year. After registration, it takes about 1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on your blood flow. I watch a movie while I'm donating platelets. I almost fell asleep I was so comfortable, (but they don't allow that.) Make sure they use two pieces of tape on the needle for your arm, that was my only glitch.... a small bruise at the enrty point the next day from a little wiggle in the needle. But it is painless !! You also get credits for 3 pints when giving platelets.