BLOOD DONORS with PA

[Wwwdot]

Hi Guys

Is anyone able to donate blood with PA?

Does anyone? How long to recover?

Merry Christmas!

🤶🤶🤶

[helvella]

This has been a question which in a slightly different form pops up on the Thyroid UK forum from time to time.

I became aware that the blood people have different rules in different places. That is, I think the four nations can all be at least slightly different, possibly significantly. And I'm not sure if they are consistent across each nation.

But they do have online checkers which guide you through and, I think, eventually let you ask if they have not already given the required answer!

[Wwwdot in reply to helvella]

Hi Helvella

What a star you are!

I am changing this reply as the website on blood is so unclear!!

Although B12 and contraceptives are listed as medications which prevent blood donation - when reading the detail it’s ok after the loading doses and oral contraception is ok too!!

So I think the answer MAY be a “ Yes”🙌

🤶🤶🤶

[Rexz in reply to Wwwdot]

Yes, agree , 100% with you Wwwdot and Helvella

It's yes, no, maybe! Completely depends on which country you're in, and who drawing the blood even. Guidelines are all over the place. Even in UK it's yes and no. Also, if you're on a iron tablets prescribed then it can be a no.

My suggestion is maybe don't give blood if you've got PA that's under control. If you're to a point where you're low iron or deficient then clearly no. Personally I cringe when they take a bunch of blood for blood tests.I mean like 28 tubes at one draw! I was just looking at all my precious iron going going gone...thinking more iron infusions. So just something to consider.

I would just ask the place, organization, clinic, who's going to take your donation if it's OK.

Rexz

[pramela]

I used to give blood years ago but was stopped because my blood clots really easily and fast. It used to clot in the tube! But I wouldn't give blood with PA because I just wouldn't and also in case it wasn't able to be used and wasted.

[MoKayD]

I donated blood last year and felt really run down afterwards. I upped my B12 shots and that worked. Does donating blood decrease your B12?

[PAScomms]

The Pernicious Anaemia Society asked the NHS Blood Transfusion service to write the below article for our Winter 2023 newsletter pernicious-anaemia-society....

the article is called I have Pernicious Anaemia, Can I dontate blood and is on page 9 of the newsletter

[Morris1994]

In Wales, as long as you're on maintenance doses and not taking prescribed iron, you're good to donate. At least that was the case when I last donated.

[NLMMac]

Hi

I have had PA for almost 30 years, I was a blood doner for years before being diagnosed with PA. Once I was diagnosed with PA the blood doner society sent me a letter thanking me for my donations, however they said that they could no longer accept my blood as I needed it for myself.

[Gillsie54]

I tried giving blood years ago before diagnosis with PA. I used to feel so ill afterwards and it took ages for me to recover. Also my blood was a bit sticky they said. Now I wouldn’t dream of trying.

[Wwwdot]

Hi All

Thank you so much for your thoughts and contributions - I think it best I don’t as replacing the blood donated may set me back more than I can risk at the moment. Interestingly throughout my life I have been refused for blood donation for a range of different reasons.

Merry Christmas!

🤶 🤶🤶

[Mashie44 in reply to Wwwdot]

Yes - although I have given it, sometimes they refused it, sometimes would only take half a pint (on grounds of low iron iirc not PA) and I took longer and longer to recover.

[Wwwdot]

Hi Mashie

Thank you for that - good you managed to take some at least … but you have confirmed my fear of recovery time … sounds selfish but at the moment I can’t afford to share any!

🤗🤗🤗