RE: Random Thoughts
June 27, 2019 at 10:54 am
(This post was last modified: June 27, 2019 at 10:56 am by Angrboda.)
I started donating blood plasma recently, and upon researching whether it's safe, I've encountered multiple views on the matter. My doctor, for his part, was not enthusiastic about the idea, suggesting that donating plasma compromises the immune system and that it won't adequately recover until 30 days after you stop donating. Researching the matter further reveals that my doctor's thoughts on the matter weren't entirely commendable. It turns out, first of all, that there is only evidence that long-term, regular practice of donating can compromise the immune system, and that the near term effects of donation are essentially unknown. The advice that it takes 30 days to recover appears to have its origin in advice from the American Red Cross. They advise donating no more frequently than every 28 days, but this advice appears to be founded on the assumption that there may be unknown risks associated with donating more frequently, and so ideally the absolute safest is not to donate more frequently. But that's a very conservative recommendation that doesn't appear to be based upon any actual known risks, and doesn't imply that your immune system will be compromised for 30 days after any donation. My impression is that while my doctor had some knowledge, he did not possess enough knowledge, or the skill to deliver advice based upon what he did know, in an appropriate and correct fashion. Which is okay, but somewhat disappointing.
It appears that advice on plasma donation is similar to the advice you receive on dietary health from medical professionals, it's often very biased, not based on any real data, and built upon questionable assumptions and logic. One of the key assumptions which appears common to both is that something should be considered unsafe until it is demonstrated safe, rather than safe until it is demonstrated unsafe. This makes sense when applied to treatments using artificial chemicals, drugs, and processes which may not mesh with your body's evolved needs, but it seems inappropriate when expanded beyond that sphere. Donating blood plasma probably falls in a gray are concerning that, but it would be nice if people were a little more critical of such assumptions, as medical professionals, than they appear to be. God knows I'd likely confine myself to rocking in a fetal position and doing nothing else if I were to resort to broad application of that assumption.
It appears that advice on plasma donation is similar to the advice you receive on dietary health from medical professionals, it's often very biased, not based on any real data, and built upon questionable assumptions and logic. One of the key assumptions which appears common to both is that something should be considered unsafe until it is demonstrated safe, rather than safe until it is demonstrated unsafe. This makes sense when applied to treatments using artificial chemicals, drugs, and processes which may not mesh with your body's evolved needs, but it seems inappropriate when expanded beyond that sphere. Donating blood plasma probably falls in a gray are concerning that, but it would be nice if people were a little more critical of such assumptions, as medical professionals, than they appear to be. God knows I'd likely confine myself to rocking in a fetal position and doing nothing else if I were to resort to broad application of that assumption.
![[Image: extraordinarywoo-sig.jpg]](https://i.postimg.cc/zf86M5L7/extraordinarywoo-sig.jpg)
![[Image: harmlesskitchen.png]](https://i.postimg.cc/yxR97P23/harmlesskitchen.png)
![[Image: MmQV79M.png]](https://i.imgur.com/MmQV79M.png)
