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Can You Donate Plasma With Diabetes


Can People With Diabetes Donate Blood

Myths Of Diabetes – Diabetics Cannot Donate Blood – Dr.Rajiv Kovil

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.

When Should You Not Consider Donating Plasma

You should not donate plasma if:


  • You are pregnant
  • You are below 18 or above 65 years of age
  • Your body weight is below 50 kgs
  • You had a tattoo done in the past 6 months
  • You had undergone major surgery in the past 6 months
  • You are suffering from long-term health issues such as kidney failure or diabetes

Diabetes: Can People With Diabetes Donate Blood

Dr. Anand S Deshpande says, “Many believe that people with diabetes cannot donate blood. There is a myth that by donating blood, blood sugar levels fluctuate. But this doesn’t happen.”

“People with diabetes can undoubtedly donate blood. The blood sugar levels need to be within the normal levels. Those who are taking insulin are deferred from donations. If the patient is on an oral hypoglycemic, they can undoubtedly donate blood,” he adds.

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People With Type 2 Diabetes Or At Risk Of Type 2 Diabetes Who Are Generally Fit And Healthy Can Give Blood Safely But You Cant Give Blood If You Use Insulin To Treat Your Diabetes That Means You Cant Give Blood If You Have Type 1 Diabetes Or If You Use Insulin And Have Type 2 Diabetes Or Another Type Of Diabetes

You also can’t give blood during pregnancy or if you have diabetes complications. This includes kidney problems, nerve damage or amputation. And you cant give blood if youve had heart failure or an organ transplant.


Blood donation may affect insulin levels so the rules are there to keep people safe.

Your Diabetes Should Be Under Controlled Before You Donate Blood

Why Can T Diabetics Donate Blood

To donate blood with diabetes, your blood sugar needs to be in your target range. Your A1C should be less than 7%, as recommended by the American Diabetes Association. If your blood sugars and diabetes are not well controlled, you shouldnt donate blood.

Its up to you to let the Red Cross know. If you are unsure about the condition of your diabetes, discuss your concerns with your healthcare provider. They will be able to help you decide if giving blood is a good idea, or if you should wait until your diabetes is better managed.

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During Your Blood Donation

When you go to the blood bank, dress appropriately. Make sure that your shirt has sleeves that are loose enough to be pushed above your elbow. If possible, help out the Red Cross volunteer and show them your best veins. Most people with diabetes know where their best veins are located.


Take something to read, or a music player with head phones so that you can relax during the donation process. Its helpful to look away, and to think about something else, like a nice day at the beach, rather than watching the nurse insert the needle. A little distraction goes a long way to trick your brain into barely feeling the needle going in.

After you donate, get a drink and a snack so that you dont get lightheaded. Giving blood can take a lot from you! Its a great thing to do, but some people will feel faint, and may even pass out.

I know this to be true, as in high school when I gave blood, I fainted and was weak the rest of the day in the nurses office. As an adult, weighing a bit more, and knowing how to prepare, I can give blood with no problems.

Covid 1: How Often Can You Donate Plasma

With the number of people affected by COVID-19 infection during the second wave only increasing by the day, the demand for the plasma of recovered patients has also gone up tremendously. However, many people still have some inhibitions about donating plasma thinking it might make them more susceptible to the infection once again. But thats a myth and donating plasma can save lives, stress experts.

The antibodies, which are present in your body, can help someone fight the infection and emerge victorious. If your COVID symptoms have been absent for more than 14 days, kindly consider donating as a service to humanity. Just like during any regular blood donation session, plasma will be drawn from your arm, said Dr Shuchin Bajaj, founder and director, Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals.


What is plasma?

Plasma is the clear liquid portion in the blood that remains after red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and other cellular components are removed. It is the single largest component of human blood, comprising about 55 percent, and contains water, salts, enzymes, antibodies and other proteins. Plasma carries out a variety of functions in the body, including helping in removing clotting blood, fighting diseases, and other critical functions.

Who can donate plasma?

One shouldnt donate plasma if you are:

*Below 18 years and above 65


*Below 50 kgs of weight.

*Ever been pregnant in your life.

*You have a tattoo or major surgery in the past six months

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How Do I Earn Opi Rewards+ Points

You earn OPI Rewards+ points for every successful plasma donation made at your local Octapharma Plasma donation center. OPI Rewards+ is an annual program, so it adds up your donations made from January 1 to December 31 in a calendar year. One donation = one point. Your points show up in your account within 2 to 3 days after every successful plasma donation. Login to your OPI Rewards+ account and visit the Track Rewards page to view your progress.


You can also earn extra OPI Rewards+ points by participating in our referral program and other special promotions or surveys featured throughout the year. You will be notified of these opportunities through the OPI Rewards+ program, so check back frequently.

Why Should You Donate Plasma

Donating blood & plasma after recovering from COVID

The key rule is plasma donation can save lives. The antibodies from the plasma that you donate may help another person fight covid infection and help the person emerge as a survivor. Healthcare professionals have been asking all recovered people to kindly consider plasma donation as a service to mankind during this brutal pandemic.

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Diabetes Medication And Donating Blood

In this case, if you are under the same medication for the last four weeks, you are eligible for blood donation. But if your type of medication or dosage has changed recently, it means that your BGL is not stable. So, here refraining yourself from donating blood will be the best decision for the sake of your own health.

But, one medicine that can prevent you from donating blood is warfarin. This generally works for maintaining the cholesterol level but in some patients, it improves the BGL too. So, you must notify all your medicines, during the screening process.


You see maintaining a healthy life is the most important factor for donating blood. So, if you consider diabetes as a problem, then preserving good health is the solution.

Lets look into the checklist now:

  • Sugar level should be in control
  • HbA1c levels must remain between 42-47 mmol/mol
  • Blood pressure below 180/100.

Some factors other than the above ones are

  • Having a healthy heart.

Rules For Donating Plasma

This author has been verfied for credibility and expertise

Like other forms of blood donation, a plasma donation can prove lifesaving to others 18. Plasma is the liquid portion of your blood. It contains many important proteins that help fight infections and enable the blood to clot. But before heading to a local donation facility, there are some eligibility rules to consider. Age, weight and general health requirements must be met for your safety. You will also be asked about your medical conditions, medications, recent activities and the date of your last donation to determine your eligibility.


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Truth: A Healthy Diet Is Encouraged But You Dont Have To Stick To A Strict One

Years ago the American Diabetes Association recommended that those with diabetes eat specific amounts of fat, protein, and carbohydrates. This has changed and now the association does recommend specific amounts anymore.

Its suggested that those with diabetes get their carbohydrates from vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes. They should avoid foods high in sodium, sugar, and fats. This may seem like a strict way to eat, but the reality is everyone should be eating like this.

If you need help creating a meal plan, reach out to your doctor. The two of you can come up with a diet or eating habits that fit your health and lifestyle.

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Truth: Eating Sugar Doesnt Cause Diabetes But Cutting Back Isnt A Bad Idea

Can Diabetics Donate Plasma Biolife

The truth is that all the food you eat is converted into glucose in your system. Glucose is blood sugar and is energy for your body.

If you have diabetes this means that not enough insulin is being produced to move the blood sugar from cell to cell for energy. If you dont have diabetes then you are producing enough insulin to provide food to your cells.

If you dont have diabetes the main problem with eating foods with added sugar is that it can add to your body weight. It does not raise your blood sugar.

The only reason diabetics have raised sugar levels is due to their body not carrying fuel around, so it sits in their blood. Its not due to the added sugar they ate.

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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

Can Type 2 Diabetics Donate Plasma

Being a diabetes patient doesnt put you at any risk of donating to a type one diabetic or a person with type two diabetes. You can give out blood as far as your diabetes condition is properly regulated and managed.

However, any person on insulin will not be allowed to donate blood, excluding both types of diabetes patients who depend on insulin. People who depend on insulin are usually not allowed to donate blood, be it an insulin pump or insulin injections.

Diabetes is not a barrier in donating blood as far as you are healthy, and your diabetes is properly managed.

Diabetes patients are often screened thoroughly before they are allowed to donate, and you are asked about the medications you are taking currently to control your diabetes.


This wont prevent you from giving out blood. However, there are few requirements to meet before you are allowed to donate, whether you are a diabetes patient or not. They are

  • Be between 16years to 80years of age
  • Your weight should be at least 110 pounds
  • You should be in good health before and on that day

If you want to donate plasma, here are some tips to follow to have a successful donation

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Can Diabetic People Donate Blood

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration does not have any regulatory restrictions against diabetics donating blood other than if the individual has received bovine source insulin since 1980. The concern here is not the diabetes but rather the bovine spongiform encephalopathy. As bovine source insulins were not widely available in the US, the diabetic would have had to specifically import it from Europe. Donors may mistake this deferral as being due to their having diabetes. Here is the FDA guidance (Each blood collection center in the US can have criteria more stringent that either the FDA and AABB so there is some variability among blood centers. At the collection center where I work, we allow donors with diabetes, whether controlled with diet, oral hypoglycemics, or insulin, to donate. The only instance where I can think where diabetes would have a negative affect on blood product and therefore an adverse effect on the patient would be in the rare instances where we collect granulocytes. If the donor had poor glucose control, this could impair neutrophil function. Since granulocyte donors are usually stimulated with corticosteroids, which would worsen glucose control, diabetics are deferred from granulocyte donation at my institution so this is not an issue.Continue reading > >

Donating Blood With Type 1 Diabetes

VERIFY: You can donate blood, but not convalescent plasma, after getting COVID-19 vaccine

Editors Note: Get continuous updates about the coronavirus pandemic here.


According to the American Red Cross, every two seconds someone needs blood. We all know that donating blood is a worthy thing to do. But the donation of blood assumes a cooperative body and a donation system that will accept the blood running through your veins.

So what does that mean for those with T1D? Many are under the assumption that a diagnosis means they cant donate. Wrong. For the most part, giving blood is an option, but it does depend on the following:

  • Where you live
  • What type of insulin you are taking

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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.

Frequency And Other Considerations

According to FDA regulations, you can donate plasma up to twice per week but not 2 days in a row. The American Red Cross has different stipulations, stating you can donate plasma every 28 days, up to 13 times per year 15. Check with your donation center regarding its requirements about frequency of plasma donation 1. Plasma donations can occur more frequently than donations of whole blood because your body is able to replace plasma more quickly than blood cells.

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Can You Donate Blood If You Take Metformin

Some medications can prevent you from giving blood, like anticoagulants, but no diabetes medications should prevent you from donating blood. The one exception to this is that you cannot give blood if you have taken insulin made from cows since 1980. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are concerned about this.

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What Is Convalescent Plasma

Can Diabetics Donate Plasma Biolife

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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What Is Plasma Used For

Your protein-rich plasma is used to create a number of life-saving medicines that treat patients with rare, chronic, and inherited diseases. These plasma-based medicines are used in emergency medicine or trauma, for bleeding disorders like hemophilia, and to treat patients whose bodies have trouble fighting infections because of immune diseases.

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