How Many Blood Transfusions Can A Person Have? What To Know

Maybe your like

Medical News TodaySubscribeBlood transfusions: Is there a limit?

Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph.D., MSN — Written by MaryAnn De Pietro, CRT on January 20, 2018

Overview
Rules
Limits
Complications
Alternatives
Takeaway

Although blood transfusions can be lifesaving, can they be done too often? Is there a limit to how many blood transfusions a person can have? The answer to both questions is no.

A blood transfusion is a common medical procedure. A transfusion may be needed to treat a long-term disease or a medical emergency.

Although there are no set parameters for how many blood transfusions a person can have, there are some guidelines for avoiding complications and improving outcomes.

Blood transfusion basics

How many blood transfusions can a person have — There are guidelines for avoiding complications if a person has many blood transfusions.

A person’s blood contains white and red blood cells along with platelets and plasma.

A blood transfusion involves giving whole blood or, more commonly, only a specific part of the blood.

According to the American Red Cross, common blood transfusions involve one component of the blood only. This may be the red blood cells, platelets, or plasma. White blood cells are rarely transfused.

Rules for blood transfusions

Hospitals typically have rules or protocols for how low a person’s blood count must be before they are given a blood transfusion. Protocols for administering blood transfusions often involve hemoglobin levels.

Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to the tissues and organs in the body.

A blood test measures hemoglobin in the body. Low hemoglobin levels often indicate blood loss or a lack of red blood cell production.

A study funded by the American Association of Blood Banks recommends restricting red blood cell transfusions for hospitalized adult patients until the hemoglobin level has fallen to 7 grams per deciliter (g/dl).

Waiting until hemoglobin is at 7 g/dl is associated with administering fewer units of red blood cells.

The above parameter for hemoglobin also tends to result in shorter hospital stays and lower rates of complications, including death.

Additional rules for blood transfusions include making sure the person’s blood is compatible with the donor blood. To check if the donor blood is a match, the person getting the blood has a test to determine their blood type.

A test called a crossmatch is also done to screen for antigens and make sure the recipient’s blood is compatible with the donor blood.

Trained staff will monitor the person for any negative reactions during and after the blood transfusion.

Limits for blood transfusions

A blood transfusion may be limited if a person has a negative reaction or a complication.

In some cases, blood transfusions may be limited if donated blood is in short supply. For example, during a disaster or a mass casualty incident where many people may require blood, and there may not be enough.

Also, in some instances, a person can appear to need a blood transfusion, but a co-existing condition may be a contraindication or reason to avoid giving the blood. For example, certain cardiac conditions can be made worse by increasing volume through giving blood.

Complications

Share on Pinterest

A large blood transfusion may create some possible complications.

A blood transfusion is not without risks. There can be complications that range from minor to life-threatening.

One rare complication is a sudden immune reaction. This occurs when the person’s immune system attacks the transfused blood cells and damages the kidneys.

Additional complications of a blood transfusion can include fever and infection.

Having what is referred to as a massive blood transfusion can have additional complications.

Transfusing 10 units of blood in a 24-hour period, or 5 units of blood in 4 hours, is considered a massive blood transfusion. Such a big blood transfusion replaces a large amount of the person’s blood volume.

A massive blood transfusion may be needed in cases where someone is in shock due to rapid blood loss. Traumatic injuries and complications from surgery can lead to massive blood loss.

Possible complications of a massive blood transfusion include:

hyperkalemia or high potassium in the blood
abnormal blood clotting
hypothermia or low body temperature
increased acid in the blood

Alternatives to blood transfusions

In some cases, such as if a person experienced a bad reaction to a blood transfusion, alternatives might be an option.

Possible alternatives to blood transfusions include:

Growth factors

Hematopoietic growth factors are substances that stimulate the bone marrow to increase blood cell production. Growth factors are naturally made in the body, but synthetic versions are also available to treat people with low blood counts.

Administering growth factors can increase platelets and red and white blood cells counts. However, it usually takes weeks to increase blood count.

Because using growth factors requires time, it is not effective in a life-threatening situation when blood counts need to be raised quickly.

Volume expanders

Volume expanders are administered into the bloodstream through a vein. They work by expanding fluid volume in the body to help improve blood circulation to the organs. They may be given when a person is in certain types of shock.

Volume expanders do not increase the number of red blood cells in the body but may be an alternative if someone refuses a blood transfusion, or has an adverse reaction to blood products.

Takeaway

Currently, there is no set number of blood transfusions a person can have. But the procedure is not without risks and possible complications.

Following blood transfusion guidelines and rules, such as specific hemoglobin levels, may decrease complications and improve outcomes.

Blood / Hematology
Emergency Medicine

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Alternatives to blood transfusions. (2016, June 20)https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/treatment-types/blood-transfusion-and-donation/blood-transfusion-alternatives.html
Blood facts and statistics. (n.d.)https://www.redcrossblood.org/learn-about-blood/blood-facts-and-statistics
Carson, J. L., Carless, P. A., & Hébert, P. C. (2013, January 2). Outcomes using lower vs higher hemoglobin thresholds for red blood cell transfusion [Abstract]. JAMA, 309(1), 83–84https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/1555108
Carson, J. L., Guyatt, G., Heddle, N. M., Grossman, B. J., Cohn, C. S., Fung, M. K., ... Tobian, A. A. (2016, November 15). Clinical practice guidelines from the AABB: Red blood cell transfusion thresholds and storage. JAMA, 316(19), 2025–2035https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27732721
Clinical transfusion protocols. (n.d.)http://www.who.int/bloodsafety/transfusion_services/ClinicalTransfusionPracticeGuidelinesforMedicalInternsBangladesh.pdf
Complications of massive transfusion. (2017, January 24)https://transfusion.com.au/adverse_transfusion_reactions/complications_massive_transfusion
Patil, V., & Shetmahajan, M. (2014, September–October). Massive transfusion and massive transfusion protocol. Indian Journal of Anaesthesia, 58(5), 590–595https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4260305/

Share this article

Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph.D., MSN — Written by MaryAnn De Pietro, CRT on January 20, 2018

Latest news

HIIT may help older adults lose fat while preserving muscle
What's the best approach for weight loss after menopause? Study sheds light
Is this sweetener really the 'holy grail' of sugar substitutes?
Two days of oatmeal may help reduce 'bad' cholesterol levels, study finds
Is sleep the missing piece in mental health?

Related Coverage

Blood transfusions: What to knowMedically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M.D., MPH
A blood transfusion is a safe procedure that can help treat several conditions. Read this article to learn about the different types of blood…
READ MORE
What to know about blood transfusions and sickle cell diseaseMedically reviewed by Sirisha Yellayi, DO
How do blood transfusions help treat a person with sickle cell disease? Read on to discover how blood transfusions help manage the condition.
READ MORE
Everything you need to know about blood transfusions and anemia
How can blood transfusions treat anemia? Read on to discover how they can help treat different types of anemia and what to expect during the…
READ MORE
How long does a blood transfusion take, and how long does it last?
When a person has lost blood or it is not functioning effectively, a transfusion can be lifesaving. How long does it take, and how long do the…
READ MORE
Is it possible to donate blood if a person has lupus?Medically reviewed by Shilpa Amin, M.D., CAQ, FAAFP
Is a person with lupus eligible to donate blood? Read on to learn more about donor eligibility criteria and if a person with lupus can donate blood.
READ MORE

Tag » When Blood Transfusions Stop Working

How Many Blood Transfusions Can A Person Have? What To Know

Health Conditions

Health Products

News

Original Series

Podcasts

General Health

Health Tools

Quizzes

About Medical News Today

Find Community

Follow Us

Blood transfusion basics

Rules for blood transfusions

Limits for blood transfusions

Complications

Alternatives to blood transfusions

Growth factors

Volume expanders

Takeaway

How we reviewed this article:

Latest news

Related Coverage

Use Of Blood Transfusion At The End Of Life: Does It Have Any Effects On ...

Palliative Care Issues For Transfusion-Dependent Patients

Withdrawing Medically Futile Treatment | JCO Oncology Practice

Blood Transfusions For People With Cancer

Do Blood Transfusions Make A Difference When You Are Dying?

Transfusions And Hospice: Advocating For Better End-of-Life Care

What Can Be Expected As Leukemia - Canadian Virtual Hospice

Blood Transfusion | Leukemia And Lymphoma Society

For Leukemia Patients, Transfusion Needs May Delay Hospice Care

Blood Cancer And Blood Transfusions

Blood Transfusions - Macmillan Cancer Support

Blood Transfusions In Leukemia A Deterrent To Hospice Care

Blood Transfusion - Mayo Clinic

Blood Transfusion: What To Know If You Get One - WebMD

Contact