Giving Blood
Me and a friend went to give blood yesterday. She was able to - I wasn't. (Though she did almost faint after, so I guess the tables were turned and equalised there.) My iron level was too low--they set high standards apparently, at an iron count or HB (or something) level of 125, and mine was 117. I now have to wait twelve weeks before I can try again, for... whatever reason. I'm pretty sure I know why my iron count wasn't very good--having three biscuits as my sole food that day before going and having several cups of tea (more than usual, even; and tea apparently reduces the iron you get from your food)--and I was told I'm not anemic and I don't need iron tablets, so those are double pluses.
In May, then, I'll be trying again. I'm actually less scared of the whole procedure now though; as yesterday was the first time, it had that whole 'fear of the unknown' factor to it. I had my finger pricked, which was a routine iron level test (the blood from that is supposed to sink to the bottom of this coloured liquid stuff; mine didn't), and a needle in my vein to get more blood out to test for the exact iron/HB level. I actually found that I couldn't look away from the needle in my arm, which was fairly big and took a small test-tube of blood. It made my arm itchy, but it didn't hurt--the pinprick hurt more, actually.
I'll also know not to drink so much tea, and to actually eat something proper (cereal, bread and/or fresh fruit/veg - though obviously not all at the same time). So it's a learning curve, I guess. :)