Can I donate blood: Hello. I'm new on this site... - Thyroid UK

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Can I donate blood

Po2017 profile image
10 Replies

Hello. I'm new on this site. Just a question for people with hypothyroidism. Is it OK to donate blood.? Kindest regards Po.

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Po2017 profile image
Po2017
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10 Replies
radd profile image
radd

Po,

As I understand it, hypothyroid people can donate blood if they have been stable on their thyroid hormone replacement meds for at least three months.

I have Hashi and give loads of blood as also have hemochromotosis (iron overload). Unfortunately, they won't use it and although I have questioned this, they claim to only have guide lines for thyroid issues ! ! ! ....

Po2017 profile image
Po2017 in reply to radd

Thanks so much for your quick reply. And yes I have been stable on my tablets for ova a yr now. I am going to make appointment to give it a go. Kindest regards Po

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

Po2017 If you are stable and not being investigated for anything there shouldn't be a problem, unless they've changed the criteria.

I used to donate blood, then because I was referred to an endo and awaiting the appointment, they didn't want me.

Other problems prevent me donating now.

Po2017 profile image
Po2017 in reply to SeasideSusie

Thanks so much for replying so quickly. Yes I have been stable on my tablets for ova a yr now. I have made some enquiries about this but haven't seen it thru. So yes I will go give it ago. They can only say yes or no ay.. Kindest regards Po.

NatChap profile image
NatChap

i think it is more of an issue if you have hashis. Also, when I last gave blood (over 2 years ago, just prior to my diagnosis) it completely wiped me out for 48 hours. Obviously at the time I couldn't understand why as I thought I was fit and well but I presume it could have been down to low ferritin levels or something??

Kalicocat profile image
Kalicocat

I didn't think that you could donate blood if you have any autoimmune antibodies. Here's one reference I found:

hsa.gov.sg/pub/faq/faq/faqc...

DawnD profile image
DawnD

As the others have said, you can still donate blood if you have hypothyroidism as long as you are stable and are not awaiting a blood test or blood test results. For some reason I do not seem to absorb iron/ferratin very well, so often get told I am anaemic and to have iron tablets for a while. The last time I went, the iron levels were so low that I was 'banned' for a year - I am finally giving blood on Easter Sunday!

Po2017 profile image
Po2017 in reply to DawnD

Hello there. Yes. I had the same happen to me beginning of last year. My iron level was super low. This yr all my blood count have cum bk fine. I am gunna tell the nurses at blood donation place before I do it. I was just worried I would pass my hypothyroidism onto someone else. Thank you for your reply and good luck with your blood donation. Po..

I gave blood for 25 years plus before I knew anything about my family history.

Personally I would never have done this had I known about my immune system.

It's up to you whether you think it is reasonable knowing what you know regarding yourself.

I have O positive blood which they always need. If you have this common one or another rare blood group it might be OK?

JanePound profile image
JanePound

I give blood regularly and have donated 19 times in the last 15 years. I declared the fact that I take T3 and they looked it up before approving my donation. They now just ask me if there have been any changes.

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