Blood donation and NAFLD

[jinnie64]

Hello, this is my first post, and I’m looking for some advice, please. I was recently diagnosed with Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and wondered if I can still give blood? I am on a stable level of Levothyroxine for UAT and no other medication. Many thanks 🙂

[butterflyEi]

Hi jinnie64

I no longer donate because of my autoimmune disease however you could contact the Blood Transfusion people via their face book page, so you might get an answer via the message system or look for a local office to you and telephone them.

There is a link here which I hope may help you

blood.co.uk/who-can-give-bl...

[jinnie64 in reply to butterflyEi]

Many thanks. I tried three times to get advice from them over the past few days but noone responded, so I thought I’d ask here 🙂

[AyrshireK]

NAFLD is probably not going to stop you donating blood, a vast number of people have NAFLD but don't know it and they probably donate on and off. As butterfly says the best people to contact are the blood transfusion service themselves.

[jinnie64 in reply to AyrshireK]

Many thanks! They still haven’t got back to me after three messages to them recently so I thought I might find information on here 🙂

[butterflyEi]

That is a nuisance jinnie64 especially as they must be pretty desperate because of this cold snowy snap. Hope you get a reply from them soon. I gave for over 25 years but am no longer able - I would if I could and I applaud you for doing so if you can. best wishes

[jinnie64]

Many thanks butterflyEi. I still haven’t heard so I think I will just mention it to the nurse on the day. X

[jinnie64]

Hello again, this is an update. I had a fibroscan today and have F3 fibrosis and am in the highest range for fatty liver. I asked the nurse if I would be able to donate blood and she said no: not because I could pass anything on, but because it might endanger my health. So, no donations, which does depress me. I am now very concerned about my future and am hoping trips to the gym plus dietary changes will preserve my liver.

[Abby14]

I know I can"t coz i have low iron, just had infustion! I would contact the blood doation people, as Nafd affects people differently

[jinnie64]

Many thanks 🙂

[Abby14 in reply to jinnie64]

You are welcome