Not rare, but still sought after: Plasma was donated a total of 3,164,939 times in Germany last year. This was reported by the Paul Ehrlich Institute, the German Federal Institute for Vaccines and Biomedicines. But what sounds like a lot is far from enough to meet the constantly increasing demand. Germany is still dependent on plasma imports from abroad. Thousands of patients are waiting for life-saving plasma products every day.
What is plasma?
Our blood consists of around 55 percent plasma, a clear liquid with numerous components. The remaining 45 percent of our blood is blood cells. A large proportion of these, an estimated 44 percent, are red blood cells. They also give the blood its red color. About one percent remains and these are the white blood cells and blood platelets. Their most important job is to fight off pathogens and foreign structures. Blood platelets, on the other hand, play a crucial role in blood clotting.
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But back to blood plasma: The fluid itself consists of about 90 percent water. The rest is a variety of dissolved substances, including proteins, glucose, electrolytes, hormones, waste products of cell metabolism, as well as clotting factors and antibodies.
What is the purpose of plasma? It serves as a transport medium for vital substances such as nutrients, hormones and waste products. These substances are transported through the plasma to the cells where they are needed or removed from the body. Plasma also plays a crucial role in maintaining blood pressure, blood clotting and the immune system.
What color is plasma?
In contrast to red blood, plasma is not initially visible. Only after it has been separated from the solid part of the blood can the plasma be seen as a usually yellowish clear liquid and is therefore sometimes referred to as “yellow blood”. The color of the plasma changes depending on the amount of fluid consumed, diet and hormone levels – but also due to the protein content and other factors. These factors can cause a spectrum of different shades of yellow, orange and green.
In contrast to red blood, plasma is usually a yellowish-clear liquid. Photo: Adobe Stock
If the plasma is whitish and very cloudy, it is considered fatty and will not be released for further processing. This can happen, for example, if the donor has eaten a very fatty meal immediately before the donation. It is therefore important to eat a low-fat diet before the donation.
The blood plasma is also not used if it has a reddish color, as this occurs when red blood cells have burst and decomposed.
But not every discoloration is necessarily bad. Plasma can also change color due to medication or nutritional supplements. For example, women who take additional hormones such as the contraceptive pill often have greenish plasma.
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Why do we need plasma donations?
Blood, and therefore blood plasma, can only be produced by the human body itself and cannot be produced artificially. This is why plasma donation is so important. The blood plasma obtained can be used to produce numerous, often life-saving medicines. Of the more than 120 proteins contained in plasma, more than a quarter can be used directly to treat diseases.
The best-known drugs that are extracted from blood plasma are coagulation factor preparations. The coagulation factors are components of the plasma and ensure that the blood clots. This can, for example, close small wounds.
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In addition to clotting factors, immunoglobulins, another important group of drugs, are also produced from blood plasma. Immunoglobulins are antibodies that support the immune system and are used in patients with immune deficiencies or autoimmune diseases.
Another important plasma preparation is albumin, a protein used in medicine to stabilize blood volume and is used in patients with severe burns, liver disease or shock. Albumin helps maintain osmotic pressure in the blood and prevent fluid loss.
Who can donate plasma?
Before each plasma donation, a careful check is carried out to ensure that all the necessary conditions are met. This is crucial to ensure that the donor tolerates the plasma collection well. This check is also essential to ensure the safety of the blood products.
In principle, anyone who is healthy and fit and does not have an increased risk of certain infectious diseases can donate plasma. In addition, the donor must be of legal age. With the amendment to the Transfusion Act in 2023, there is no longer an upper age limit for plasma donation. Whether a donation is possible is now assessed individually by doctors.
In order for the body to cope well with the loss of plasma, the donor must weigh at least 50 kilograms. However, the body mass index (BMI) should not exceed 40.
Assess body weight
The body mass index (BMI) is the most commonly used method for assessing body weight. It is calculated by dividing body weight in kilograms by the square of height in meters. Based on the calculated value, body weight can be divided into the following categories: critical underweight, underweight, normal weight, slightly overweight and overweight (obesity). Age and gender play no role in assessing BMI.
How often can you donate?
Since the solid blood components are returned directly to the bloodstream when donating plasma, the interval between donations can be relatively short. Up to 60 plasma donations per year are generally possible, with at least two days between two donations. However, an interval of at least seven days is generally recommended. How often plasma donations are possible also depends on individual factors. For example, women often have to wait longer between two donations due to fluctuating iron levels.
What is the difference to blood donation?
When donating whole blood, the blood is taken from the donor with all its components. In contrast, when donating plasma, the blood is separated into its individual components so that only the plasma is taken. The remaining components of the blood are immediately returned to the donor. This in turn leads to another difference: plasma can be donated up to 60 times per twelve months, which is much more often than blood. Women can donate blood four times a year and men a maximum of six times.
The time required also varies: donating blood alone only takes between ten and 15 minutes. Donating plasma, on the other hand, can take between 30 and 45 minutes, depending on the amount donated. In addition, both types of donation require preparation and possible follow-up time. This includes registering, answering a questionnaire and checking vital signs (measuring temperature, blood pressure, pulse and iron levels).
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How does a plasma donation work?
Before plasma can be donated, every donor must undergo an initial examination. At this first appointment, the donor’s personal data is recorded. An identity card or passport and proof of registration are required for this. The donor must then fill out a health questionnaire.
Once all questions have been answered, vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, body temperature and weight) are checked. A doctor then carries out a thorough examination and has a detailed information session with the donor. This health check determines whether the person is currently suitable as a plasma donor. Finally, a small amount of blood is taken from the donor for laboratory samples.
A small needle is placed in the crook of the donor’s arm. Photo: Julie Vandegaar
The results should be available after a week. If the blood or laboratory values and the health status are OK, an initial donation appointment can be arranged. Before the actual plasma donation, you should drink and eat enough, preferably light and low in fat.
At the donation center, donors should register at the reception desk about ten minutes before their agreed donation appointment. Before the donation can begin, vital signs are checked again and the donor must fill out another questionnaire. If everything is OK, the process continues in the donation room. There, the donor sits on a couch. A small needle is then placed in the crook of the arm.
First, whole blood is taken and fed through a tube into a special device, the plasmapheresis device. There, solid and liquid blood components are separated. The liquid part is the plasma, which is usually yellowish-clear in color. While the plasma is collected in a special container, the remaining blood components are returned to the body during the donation. Depending on body weight, between 650 and 850 ml of plasma are taken.
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After the donation, a rest period of 15 to 30 minutes is recommended, but not mandatory. However, sporting activities should be avoided for the next few hours. The body needs a rest period to regenerate.
What are the benefits of donating plasma?
Those who donate plasma are, first and foremost, lifesavers and committed to the community. But plasma donation offers numerous advantages for donors. For example, with each donation, you receive a small health check, as your health is checked before each plasma collection. This can help to identify health problems at an early stage. In addition, regular plasma donations promote physical self-awareness and sensitize the donor to their own health.
In many donation institutions, donors receive an expense allowance as a sign of appreciation. This can be a certain amount of money, a voucher or a small gift. The expense allowance varies from institution to institution and usually depends on whether it is active as a company or organization or association.
