Giving blood?

[bekind2021]

Between some other health issues I had, then being diagnosed with hypothyroid/Hashimoto's, I haven't donated blood in a couple of years. I'd like to start again, but is this a good idea? Any advice/experiences much appreciated. Thanks.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

First, check your blood service to find out their rules. (There could be variations across the four nations, even within them.)

It is quite possible that your blood would be of use even if not acceptable for whole blood transfusion.

And check your own iron status before turning up. They do, as you know, run a quick check at the time - and further testing before it is used. But you really need to be sure before you give a whole unit.

[bekind2021 in reply to helvella]

Thank you. How would I check my own iron levels?

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to bekind2021]

I'm hoping you have had at least a Full Blood Count in the fairly recent past? If so, ask your surgery to print out the results or access them online (whatever is available to you).

If you are keen enough, you could get one of the private tests that are available - though I'd certainly understand not being happy to pay in order to donate! Or wait until your next GP test and ask them to make sure at least FBC is included.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

A) blood service may not want your blood now.

B) important you have optimal thyroid and vitamin levels before considering donating

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested.

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s

Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis. Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.

In U.K. medics never call it Hashimoto’s, just autoimmune thyroid disease (and they usually ignore the autoimmune aspect)

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

If on T3 or NDT - day before test split daily dose into 3 smaller doses, spread through the day at approx 8 hour intervals, taking last dose 8-12 hours before test

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via

vitamindtest.org.uk

If TPO or TG thyroid antibodies are high this is usually due to Hashimoto’s (commonly known in UK as autoimmune thyroid disease). Ord’s is autoimmune without goitre.

About 90% of all primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto’s. Low vitamin levels are particularly common with Hashimoto’s.

If not already on strictly gluten free diet

Gluten intolerance is often a hidden issue too. Request coeliac blood test BEFORE considering trial on strictly gluten free diet

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org/if-you-are-un...

[fuchsia-pink]

I tried to give blood a few years ago. They weren't at all fussed about me taking thyroid meds (just levo in those days) BUT I'd changed my dose [by a teeny tiny amount - was on 150 x 4 days and 125 x 3 and had moved to 150 x 2 and 125 x 5] AND this was within 6 weeks of the appointment ... so I was unceremoniously ejected from the waiting area, paper cup of water still in hand!

[radd in reply to fuchsia-pink]

FP,

So are you saying because you are altered your Levo dose from 975mcg to 925mcg within 6 weeks of the appointment they wouldn't allow you to give blood?

[tattybogle in reply to radd]

i had same a few yrs ago ... "guidelines say it's ok as long as you're stable ", which they vaguely interpret as "no change in dose for 6mths" .. but i think they may have recently changed their guidelines and relaxed the '6 month' bit.

[radd in reply to tattybogle]

tats,

And I guess if we're self medicating we can say what we want? Or do they liasise with our GP's?

(Just realised I have no idea how blood donation banks work).

[tattybogle in reply to radd]

yep ,,, go get rid of some iron, and get a free cuppa and a custard cream .. what's not to like ?

[tattybogle in reply to radd]

havin said that ... will they want your blood if it's too full of iron ?

[radd in reply to tattybogle]

Haha, second thoughts ... might weigh someone down!

[tattybogle in reply to radd]

with a bit of joined up thinking they could give yours to someone who's aneamic .... and give hyper's blood to hypo's ...

[RedApple Administrator in reply to tattybogle]

The eligibility info for hypothyroidism is at the bottom of this list my.blood.co.uk/knowledgebas...

'Taking THYROXINE or LEVOTHYROXINE does not prevent you from donating provided it is more than 8 weeks since commencing thyroid replacement therapy and/or you have been on a steady dose of the medication for at least 4 weeks.'

[fuchsia-pink in reply to radd]

Yes! Very embarrassed!!

They didn't seem to care what you were taking - or what your blood results were - just that the dose was stable. Makes no sense, but then again when did anything thyroid-related?

[it comes to light on the tick-box form where there is a tick-box asking if you have started or changed any medication in the past 6 weeks, and they then looked up thyroid in a little book and said that any change in thyroid meds was a no-no - even my tiny 5% change over a week]

[radd]

I'm thinking of using a blood bank since my therapeutic venesections for hemochromotosis have been denied me re busy covid period again. Restless legs are driving me mad!

I'm filling up again! .... and this all from a girl who use to faint at the sight of blood! 🤣

However, if you go for it BEKIND it is worth ensuring adrenals are up to it because Hashi can really take it out of us. Ensure all nutrients & iron are optimal and thyroid hormones are stabilised.

[bekind2021]

Thanks everyone for your advice/comments. I appreciate it. I do need to touch base with my GP over my last lot of bloods, but of course that's easier said than done right now...