Can You Donate Blood If You Have Diabetes

What Makes A Good Blood Donor

In order to donate blood, a person usually must be in good general health, be at least 16 years old , and weigh at least 110 pounds . This is not because of any concerns about the blood but more out of concern for the donor.;

A person who is not well might be further compromised by giving blood. When people with chronic illnesses such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are experiencing symptoms, losing blood is not desirable and may even make things worse. People with IBD may also be anemic, and anemia is one of the conditions that will make a potential donor ineligible.

In some cases, potential donors are ineligible based upon the medications they are receiving. Blood donation centers may give specific or general examples of the medications that make a person ineligible to be a donor. In most cases, it’s the current use of the medication that is the problem, and a person could become eligible again several months after stopping the drug.

There are several other guidelines that vary from country to country and from donation center to donation center. Travel to certain countries may disallow a person from becoming a donor. Having a fever or infection or an active contagious disease such as tuberculosis or certain sexually transmitted diseases will also mean a person isn’t eligible to donate.

What Can I Claim For

If you have either type 1 or type 2 diabetes, you will be eligible for certain benefits, depending on the extent to which your condition affects your life. For example, everyone in the UK with diabetes is entitled to free eye checks from the age of 12 once yearly screening for diabetic retinopathy. And if youre on any medication for your diabetes, youll receive free prescriptions.

There are additional benefits available to those with diabetes related to disability and long-term health, such as if you need help or if youre unable to work. Whether or not youre eligible depends on factors like additional health issues and how much diabetes affects your day-to-day activities.

Those most likely to be eligible are the young or elderly, people with mental health issues such as depression, those with learning disabilities, or serious complications. Parents can also claim on behalf of children with diabetes.

What Is Convalescent Plasma

Convalescent refers to anyone recovering from a disease. Plasma is the yellow, liquid part of blood that contains antibodies. Antibodies are proteins made by the body in response to infections. Convalescent plasma from patients who have already recovered from coronavirus disease 2019 may contain antibodies against COVID-19. Giving this convalescent plasma to hospitalized people currently fighting COVID-19 may help them recover. FDA has issued an emergency use authorization for convalescent plasma to be used in hospitalized COVID-19 patients and is being investigated for the treatment of COVID-19. Based on scientific evidence available, the FDA concluded this product may be effective in treating COVID-19 and that the known and potential benefits of the product outweigh the known and potential risks of the product in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

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How Can I Prepare For Donating Blood

Before you decide to donate blood, there are a few ways you can prepare to make sure your donation is successful. You should:

• Drink plenty of water leading up to the donation. You should increase your water intake a few days before your scheduled donation.
• Eat iron-rich foods or take an iron supplement one to two weeks before the donation.
• Sleep well the night before your donation. Plan on getting eight or more hours of sleep.
• Eat balanced meals leading up to your donation and afterward. This is especially important when you have diabetes. Maintaining a healthy diet that keeps your blood glucose levels low is key to having control of your condition.
• Limit caffeine on donation day.
• Bring a list of the medications you are currently taking.
• Carry identification with you, such as your drivers license or two other forms of identification.

After the donation, you should monitor your blood sugar level and continue to eat a healthy diet. Consider adding iron-rich foods or a supplement to your diet for 24 weeks following your donation.

In general, you should:

• Take acetaminophen if your arm feels sore.
• Keep your bandage on for at least four hours to avoid bruising.
• Rest if you feel lightheaded.
• Avoid strenuous activity for 24 hours after the donation. This includes exercise as well as other tasks.
• Increase your fluid intake for a few days following your donation.

If you feel sick or are concerned about your health after the blood donation, contact your doctor immediately.

What If You Get Turned Down For Some Reason To Donate Blood With Diabetes

If you are unable to give blood when you have diabetes, whether due to unmanaged blood sugars, or complications of diabetes, you can still help by donating money to the Red Cross. Your donation will help the Red Cross with providing supplies for blood donation banks, providing support to families in crisis who are in need, and helping to educate people on lifesaving techniques. There are many things that the Red Cross does to help others. Your donation will help them fulfill their mission. 4

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Preparing For Blood Donation If You Have Diabetes

Before donating blood, you should try your best to:

• Strive to keep blood sugars in a normal range the day before/of donating
• Hydrate well by drinking plenty of water
• Get plenty of sleep the night before
• Do not perform intense exercise that same day, before or after donating
• Be sure to have eaten a normal snack or meal;
• Be sure not to consume too much caffeine
• Be prepared to disclose any medications you are currently on
• Do not smoke or drink alcohol the day before/of donating

• Check your blood sugar frequently
• Take insulin as directed
• Avoid intense exercise for at least 24 hours
• Rest immediately if youre feeling dizzy
• Rest if feeling lightheaded
• Eat your normal snacks and meals

What Cancer Patients May Donate Blood And When

Cancer survivors may sometimes be able to donate blood if they are more than a year out from therapy. Yet there are situations, such as with leukemias and lymphomas and more, where donating at any time after treatment isn’t considered safe for those who would receive the blood.

It’s important to note that individual blood donation organizations, as well as different countries, have different requirements, and it can take a little research to know if you are eligible. When can people who have had cancer donate blood, when can they not, and what are the reasons behind this?

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Ferritin Status And Hba1c

A total of 17 blood donors didnt show a significant reduction in HbA1c after whole blood donation . A possible explanation could be a low ferritin concentration due to the frequency of donation, resulting in a less effective erythropoiesis and as a consequence a reduced effect on HbA1c. In the Netherlands, male blood donors are allowed to donate whole blood up to 5 times a year, female blood donors up to 3 times a year. Some of these blood donors develop in time a low ferritin concentration, because of the frequency of donation, and subsequently a low hemoglobin concentration and arent allowed to donate blood for at least 3 months. When analyzing ferritin concentrations predonation versus the maximum reduction in HbA1c in non-diabetic blood donors a correlation between both parameters was observed .

Effect of ferritin concentration on maximum HbA1c reduction .

A Quick Note On The Different Types Of Blood Donation

Today, there are several different types of blood donation. For example, The American Red Cross has four different donation categories that are split up depending on the blood components taken:

• Whole Blood: White blood cells, red blood cells, platelets, and plasma all donated
• Power Red: 2 units of red blood cells donated; platelets and plasma returned to your bloodstream;
• Platelet donation: Only platelets extracted donated; other blood components are returned to bloodstream
• Plasma donation: Only plasma extracted and donated; other blood components are returned to bloodstream

If you intend to take advantage of a blood donation type other than whole blood donation, keep in mind that these donations may be subject to additional restrictions and rules.;;

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How Can I Prepare Myself For Donating Blood

There are a couple of ways you can plan to ensure your donation is successful before you want to donate blood you Should:

• Drink plenty of water right up to the gift. A few days prior to your planned contribution, you can increase your water consumption.
• One or two weeks before the gift, eat iron-rich foods, or take an iron supplement.
• The night before your gift, sleep tight. Intend to get eight hours of sleep or more.
• Eat nutritious meals leading up to and after the gift. When you have diabetes, this is extremely important. It is essential to maintaining control over your condition to sustain a balanced diet that maintains your blood glucose levels down.
• Limit caffeine on the day of the gift.
• Bring a list of the drugs you are taking at the time.
• Bring documents, such as a drivers license or two other identification forms, with you.

Vaccines: Do Any Vaccinations Make Me Ineligible To Donate

Below are some rules for common vaccines and injections. With many, you will not be deferred from donating.

• The COVID-19 vaccine is not required to donate. Receiving the COVID-19 vaccine does not affect your eligibility to give blood. Youre encouraged to donate as soon as you are feeling well.
• If you received monoclonal antibodies , you are deferred for 3 months.
• There is no deferral period after receiving a dose of the Shingles vaccine.

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What Types Of Rewards Are Included In The Program

OPI Rewards+ is a tiered e-rewards program where members can access a combination of Express Passes, e-gift cards, and special sweepstakes promotions. Your OPI Rewards+ points add up to unlock higher levels of rewards throughout the year. Login to your OPI Rewards+;account and visit the Track Rewards page to view your next level of rewards.

OPI Rewards+ is an e-rewards program, so be sure to keep your email address updated in order to receive program updates, participate in special promotions, and access your e-rewards.

Conditions That Stop You From Donating Blood

There are a few conditions that can permanently defer a diabetic from donating blood. The following are the most common:

• Ulcers, diabetic neuropathy, or any numbness-related condition
• Hypoglycemia
• Diabetics who have had a pancreatic tissue transplant
• People with diabetes having kidney problems
• Diabetic retinopathy, a complication that damages the blood vessels in the tissue of the eyes
• Any heart complications

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You Traveled To The Wrong Place At The Wrong Time

Travel exposes us to different cultures, customs, and diseases. Unfortunately, some of these diseases can affect your ability to donate blood.;

Mad Cow Disease / Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease ;

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease is an infectious brain disease that occurs in humans and can be passed on via blood transfusion. Individuals with CJD are not allowed to donate blood. Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, more commonly known as Mad Cow Disease, is a variant of CJD that can be passed on to humans when they eat food products from cows sick with Bovine spongiform encephalopathy. Once infected, humans can then pass vCJD on to other humans via blood transfusions.;

In the 80s and 90s, the UK saw a widespread outbreak of Bovine spongiform encephalopathy in cows. Symptoms from vCJD can take years to show. Currently, there is no sufficient test that can be used to screen all blood donors for vCJD before donation, which is why certain restrictions are placed on potential donors who traveled to, lived in, received blood transfusions in and around the UK during those times.;

In particular, you will not be allowed to donate blood due concerns over vCJD if you:

• Traveled/lived 3 months or more in the UK from Jan. 1st, 1980 Dec. 31st, 1996;
• Traveled/lived 5 years or more in France or Ireland from Jan. 1st 1990 Dec. 31st,1996;
• Received a blood transfusion in France, Ireland, or the UK from Jan. 1st, 1980 present;

Malaria;

Appropriate wait times for blood donation if exposed to malaria:;

Strengths And Weaknesses In Relation To Other Studies

Changes in HbA1c after whole blood donation have been studied previously. In 1985 Starkman et al. showed a decrease in HbA1c with a maximal reduction after 4 weeks following blood loss in a small group of non-diabetic volunteers . More recently, a large group of non-diabetic blood donors, who didnt donate blood for at least 6 months, showed no significant reduction in HbA1c after whole blood donation. However, the time points used for HbA1c measurement were few and mostly short after whole blood donation . One study assessed the effect of blood-letting on HbA1c in patients with type 2 diabetes. Blood-letting consisted of three phlebotomies at a 2-week interval with measurement of HbA1c at 4 and 12 months after the blood-letting sequence. After 4 months a mean decrease of HbA1c of approximately 10% or 15% was observed . The strength of our study compared to the ones mentioned above is the inclusion of both non-diabetic blood donors and blood donors with type 2 diabetes. In addition we analyzed HbA1c each week for 8 weeks post donation, a time interval after which blood donors are eligible to donate again.

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Diabetes And Blood Donation: Can You Donate Blood If You Have Diabetes

It depends, just like most things in diabetes. There isnt a clear answer between diabetes and blood donation since it relies on many factors. In short, its all about sugar levels and the type of insulins you have been using. It does not matter which type of diabetes you have as the eligibility criteria depend on your diabetes management and your medications.

Can People With Ibd Donate Blood

Many people with inflammatory bowel disease are active in their community, and donating blood is a way to give back. It’s not uncommon for people with IBD to be on the receiving end of blood transfusions. When feeling better, this can often lead to a natural desire to contribute to a blood bank. However, it can be confusing, because in many cases there is not a direct answer as to whether people who have IBD are acceptable donors.

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You Shouldnt Overdo It

While you can donate blood every 56 days, get permission from your doctor to donate blood on a regular basis before scheduling another appointment. If you have a cold or other minor illness on the day of donation, reschedule your appointment for a day you feel well.

Diabetic patients in general are more prone to illnesses due to poorer circulation and compromised immune systems, and donating blood when you are not well puts stress on your body and slows recovery rates. Talk to your doctor if you have a yeast infection or other common infection prone to diabetics prior to donating blood.

Donating blood for medical research helps promote medical advancements, and your donation could save lives. While you can donate blood when you have diabetes, take certain precautions before donating. Our specialists at Key Biologics , make your experience comfortable and informed. Talk to us about your blood donation options and the different ways we utilize donated blood, marrow, and cord blood for medical advancements today.

Dr. Scott is the Chief Medical Officer at Cellero. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Hematology and Transfusion Medicine and has deep experience leading blood centers and biological services organizations. Dr. Scott grew Key Biologics into a leading supplier of biological products used by the cell and gene therapy industry worldwide. Learn more about Dr. Scott.

Can People With Diabetes Donate Blood

Donating blood once or on a regular basis saves lives. Just one session of blood donation can impact many lives but as a person with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, you may wonder: do they want my blood, too?

Does the American Red Cross want blood from a person with diabetes if their blood sugars arent perfect? If you have diabetes-related complications? If you have other conditions, like a thyroid disorder or Celiac disease or high cholesterol?

Lets take a closer look at the rules and guidelines of blood donation for people with diabetes.

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You Were Recently Vaccinated

If you have recently received a vaccination or immunization, you may be required to wait for a period of time before being eligible to donate blood. The major exceptions are the Smallpox vaccination andliving in close proximity of someone who receives the Smallpox vaccination. It is requested that you wait 8 weeks after receiving a Smallpox vaccine or after living in close proximity to someone who received the Smallpox vaccine before donating blood. This waiting period should be extended if you experience complications.

COVID-19 vaccination restrictions are, at the time of writing, still subject to change. However, at the present moment, the ACR states that blood donations are Acceptable if you were vaccinated with an Inactivated or RNA based COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by Moderna or Pfizer providing you are symptom-free and fever-free. If you received a different type of COVID-19; vaccine or are unsure what type of vaccine you received, you may be subject to a waiting period before you are eligible to donate blood.;