Donating Blood

[BlueMundo]

I have booked an appointment in a local clinic to donate blood and just received a questionnaire about medication etc I take.

I take Thyroid S so wonder if this will be a problem? Obviously I want my donation to be safe but if I’m going to be rejected as my tablets are from Thailand I will cancel my appointment.

Does anyone else take Thyroid S and donate blood?

Thank you.

[Marymary7]

When I tried give donate blood in the uk many years ago I was turned away after a few questions because of my Hypothyroidism. I think that's for our own health not because of the thyroid medication in our blood. 😎

[BlueMundo in reply to Marymary7]

Thank you Marymary7. Thankfully I feel well on Thyroid S. I hope you are keeping well.

[Hidden]

my.blood.co.uk/knowledgebas...

This is the page from the Give Blood website. It's not specific about Thyroid S but taking thyroid medication seems to be ok.

[BlueMundo in reply to Hidden]

Thank you geworgie3008 I’ll take a look. My concern is that it’s from Thailand and animal derivative. Hope you keep well and thank you.

[DawnD]

I'm not sure about Thryoid S, but you can donate blood if you have hypothyroidism, as long as you are stable on your medication - i.e. your doctor has not changed your dose in recent months. A lot of GPs don't seem to know this though!

[BlueMundo in reply to DawnD]

Thanks DawnD. I haven’t been near my GP for about 4 years since I started taking Thyroid S. I guess I will go down to the clinic and go through the checking process and hopefully be able to do my bit and donate. Hope you keep well.

[Ruby1]

I gave blood for years when on Levothyroxine. It’s not a problem as long as your health is good and you are stable. Please be absolutely honest with them about your medication. Otherwise it’s not fair to the recipients.

In fact giving blood is how I discovered I was anaemic and subsequently discovered I had a thyroid problem.

I gave up eventually as I had a couple of fainting bouts. I think I was borderline for weight and to be honest just couldn’t spare it! I felt bad about it though as I’m O negative, so a universal donor, and we are in the minority.

[BlueMundo in reply to Ruby1]

Thanks Ruby1. Yes I don’t want to give blood unless I meet the criteria hence asking the question about donation whilst taking Thyroid S. I hope you are keeping well.

[Ruby1 in reply to BlueMundo]

Thank you I am. I often think about donating again, but I am nervous even though I did quite happily for many years.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Last time I checked, there was no problem with stable thyroid medication.

However, there could be an issue due to it being an animal product, and in particular, one from a country with different veterinary/human health standards and conditions. (That is not meant to imply or suggest anything - different is literally just "not the same".)

I think that if you wish to donate, you are going to have to go through the processes and answer what they ask. The system has been in place for many years, and does get updated when circumstances change.

[BlueMundo in reply to helvella]

Hi helvella, yes it’s exactly because it’s from Thailand etc that I worried I would not be able to donate. Thyroid S has been a life changer for me but if I can’t donate then it’s ok but I would be happy to donate if I pass the criteria. Thanks and I hope you are keeping well.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to BlueMundo]

Sometimes they can collect (or use) only part of the blood. Like plasma. Which I think can be filtered so as to remove any possibility of infectious agents being passed on.

Glad you are well enough to think of donating blood!

[Cooper27]

They want you to have been on a steady dose of hormone replacement for at least 6 weeks prior to being tested. Taking blood while you're still establishing your dose can make you sicker.

[Ellie-Louise]

I was a blood donor. Last year I arrived at my 50th (golden) donation and decided to give up.

There is no problem being hypo and donating your blood.

The pages of things you have to tick off when you get there grow longer and longer, and the water you have to drink is a lot more than it used to be.

They are very careful and ask about everything as you would expect, some of the questions are invasive but you are able to discuss things privately if you wish to speak to a nurse.

As long as you are healthy they welcome your blood.

[fuchsia-pink]

I was kicked out of the blood test centre a few years ago (very embarrassing) because I'd had a teeny tiny increase in levo in the previous 3 months [a total increase of 50 mcg a week as I went from from 125 mcg x 4 days and 150 x 3 days to 125 x 2 days and 150 x 5 days] BUT they never asked what thyroid meds I was on, just whether there had been any change in dose ...

[tdcco]

I'm glad to hear that donating blood is acceptable. I was not allowed to give blood 20 years ago because I was on levthyroxine. No questions asked just a straight forward no. Couldn't understand it at the time. Hope all goes well for you. X

[BlueMundo in reply to tdcco]

Thank you tdcco. I used to donate regularly before Hashimotos but it never crossed my mind to do it until my daughter said she was doing it.

I’ll try to remember to post back after my appointment to let everyone know if Thyroid S is a no no or no problemo.

Keep well tdcco.