Can people who SI for B12D still give blood?

[Mashie44]

I always used to donate blood. I stopped after being diagnosed with B12D. It took several years to get my MCV down but it is now in the normal range - just - and has been for 2 years. I inject every 7-10 days and feel pretty ill some of the time. I have neuropathy. I also take folate, vitD and vit K. I also have osteoporosis.

I always assumed I couldn't give blood but the government website says people with PA can if they have had the loading dose.

My husband would say I'm being really silly to even consider it, but there are people who might need my blood more than me -- what do people think?

[helvella]

There was a discussion a while ago about blood donating in general with PA:

BLOOD DONORS with PA

healthunlocked.com/pasoc/po...

[Mashie44 in reply to helvella]

thank you, I should have thought to check this! Apologies

[Rexz]

It depends. Most places will let you give blood. Ask the clinic, or office where you plan to give blood beforehand. So long as megaloblastic anemia is gone your blood is good. However, on a personal note it also depends. If you've only got B12 def due to diet as being vegan then you should consider yourself fine to give after megaloblastic anemia is remedied. BUT a strong consideration for those that have B12 malabsorption is that the only stores of B12 you have are in your blood serum. So you're giving away some of your elixir of life (B12) as I like to call it. You can also remedy this by giving yourself an injection of B12 just after donating blood.

Some of us who have advanced stage AIG/PA also have iron malabsorption which requires periodic iron infusions. A few ways in which your precious iron stores can be reduced is bleeding through injury, heavy menstruation, and donating blood.

Just some things to consider. Your blood is perfectly good blood to donate.

Rexz

[Kayelsworth]

Absolutely - Ive been SI for 15 years and am on iron tablets.....still give blood. As you say, someone may need it. My daughter had cancer as a child and received gallons of blood so I feel I need to give something back. As long as you feel well on donation day I really cannot see the problem

[Ghound in reply to Kayelsworth]

That's great you can still donate ! 😃👍

I was urging caution for others,though, as when I used to donate, I felt well, and my haemoglobin was normal .

However, I didn'trealise my ferritin was depleting along with my B12 and eventually had serious iron deficiency.

I really wish I could donate, but even with iron supplements my ferritin runs low.

Well done & Best wishes xx

[GalDriver]

If you can then do it, I say. I had to give up donating when diagnosed with MS. I'd been a donor for over 30 years, I was very disappointed

[Ghound]

Hi, I think it's great to donate blood, but I would be a little cautious with your own health.

I used to donate, and when my haemoglobin was checked at the donation centre beforehand, it was normal.

However, I unknowingly had the beginnings of B12 deficiency, and I didn't realise my ferritin was seriously depleting.

To this day I tend to be iron deficient and feel its a big enough battle to stay well without giving away my blood.

I think it really depends on how you're feeling about your own health.

Best wishes xx