Big Needles, Little Needles

April 22nd, 2008

If there is one piece of advice I could give everyone who is newly diagnosed with hereditary hemochromatosis, it would be this: demand that they use the small blood test needles as opposed to the large blood donation needles. The reasons are many (hurts less, bleeds less, heals more quickly, reduces chances of hemotomas…), but it really boils down to one main point: Over time the veins that get the bulk of the phlebotomies will begin to scar, making it increasingly difficult for the phlebotomist to effectively draw blood. Over time it will create so much scarring that they will not be able to sue that vein.

My veins are not that easy to reach and in fact, they just seem to keep using the same vein over and over. I donate blood every 2-4 weeks and the number of phlebotomies is adding up. The head nurse at the blood donation center I frequent suggested I switch to a smaller needle to ensure I can use that vein for as long as possible. She told me the following anecdote: People who give blood regularly (say, 6 times a year) often can no longer donate blood after about 20 years as tehy have too much scarring on their veins. Someone with hemochromatosis may have to donate twice that amount of blood in the same period, or in theory, have their veins become scarred too quickly.

Save your veins, reduce hemotomas, experience a smaller *Stick*. Request the smaller needle.