On average a normal, healthy individual who donates or looses a unit of blood (about 450 ml or ¾ pint) will fully recuperate from the blood loss in four to six weeks.
The four to six-week period I indicated is the time necessary to replace ALL these factors, though our bodies actually replace some of the individual components faster than others.
For example, the fluid (mostly water) lost in a blood donation, is replaced in only a few hours, provided the person drinks a moderate amount of water or healthy, non-alcoholic liquids to replenish the loss.
The other components of the blood, such as platelets and red cells begin to replenish immediately but take a bit longer to complete; usually within a few days or weeks depending on how much blood is lost.
Generally speaking, after losing a unit of blood, the body replaces the fluid and white cells within 24 hours, and platelets and plasma proteins within 48-72 hours. The red blood cells are completely replaced in 4-6 weeks.
How fast the entire blood loss is replenished obviously depends on the amount of blood lost, the size of the individual (for every 12-15 pounds of body weight, a human being has about one pint of blood) and the health of the individual from whom the blood is removed.
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