Giving blood?

[jrobertson1]

Can people with PBC and taking URSO give blood?

[mumofthree]

Have not been able to find information on GB's PBC Foundation site but have found the following on american site PBCers.org

"PBCers are always asking the criteria for donating blood. The information below will answer most of your questions.

1. The American Red Cross and blood banks across the country want to make sure the blood is as safe as possible for those who need transfusions, so they screen carefully.

2. Patients with liver diseases cannot donate blood. One of the tests performed on the blood is Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) - a liver enzyme that, when increased, may indicate liver disease.

3. Patients with most autoimmune diseases cannot donate blood because of so many unknown factors of these diseases. There is no evidence for danger in transfusing blood, but there is no evidence or experience to support its safety. To be safe blood cannot be donated.

4. In many cases deferral from donating blood is to protect the donor from complications."

Hope this is of some help or you could ring the PBC Foundation in Edinburgh just in case the rules are different in GB.

[Hidden]

Hello jrobertson.

Apparently you aren't in England but if you check out the National Blood site online I expect it will give you some guidance if you were a blood donor pre-PBC.

From what I can gather as there was a posting on here notso long ago and can't recall who posted now so they may respond so you can check that out, I'd say it was a bit of a grey area reading the stiplifications of donating blood.

I know many years ago now I was refused as mine was showing I was a bit low in iron so I ended up at the GPs and had a mth's supply of iron tablets.

I know at the moment I have a one point below the normal range for the HB red blood count so I'm due another full blood count plus ferritin and b12 and folate so for me if I did fit the bill if possible to donate blood with having PBC now, at present I would be declined as it is at present the way of thinking I could possible be slightly anaemic again.

[jrobertson1]

Many thanks for the info. I do actualy live in GB but in Scotland where rules may be different. Will contact PBC Foundation as you suggested.

[mumofthree in reply to jrobertson1]

The spelling of place names in Scotland are as confusing as they are here in Wales. Please accept my apologies for my mistake.

[blubelle]

I received a letter this morning from Scottish Blood Transfusion Service confirming that I can no longer donate blood as there is not enough known about pbc.

[jrobertson1 in reply to blubelle]

Thanks, Blubelle. That's my answer, I suppose.