Owing to the the unfortunate violence going on nowadays in Egypt, I want to donate blood. They're bringing a blood donation clinic tomorrow at a University. I've done some reading, and got some mixed conclusions. Some websites like this one say that "if your diabetes is treated with insulin, you are ineligible to donate blood". Others give reasons like possible problems to do with the white blood cells in the recipient, possibly deadly if the patient is weak. Also, I remember Austria not allowing it since they had suspicions regarding the presence of some underlying condition besides type 1 diabetes in patients (and the UK too? I'm not sure on that one).
On the other hand, I've read that some US states and the American Red Cross allow blood donation from us, so long as our condition is under control, and so long as we've never used any insulin from cattle or pigs.
Also, I've read some opinions regarding the after-effects of donating blood. Does our blood glucose decrease temporarily?
The only thing im really concerned with is what might happen to the recipient. If in a critical condition, would the condition ever possibly worsen (perhaps even if the blood glucose is slightly above or below the normal rate for non-diabetics)? I'm not at all concerned about the actual process. I would donate a million liters if I could. :)
I tried looking for the national policies online but unfortunately couldnt quite find any details. So far I've only found that they test the blood for HIV and other conditions.
I found another thread on the site discussing this topic but its from three years ago, and didn't quite reach any conclusion (though perhaps this question might take 10 more years of research to properly answer : / ). Also I asked regarding Type 1 diabetes here because some sites say type 2s can donate but type 1s can't.
I can say as a type 1 who is a frequent blood donor (I'm B Neg, the American Red Cross seems to have me on speed dial) I can say it's safe, but as you have found in your research different organizations in different parts of the world have different criteria as to whom they will accept blood from.
Interesting! Med says it's safe, but I was told many years ago that I could not donate blood, that there would be a risk to the recipient. I stress this was many years ago, possibly as many as 25 years ago. I never pursued it after initially being told no. I would be very interested to hear what others have to say about this subject as well.
Interesting indeed...I never thought I could give blood because I thought it had to be in the best possible condition. My mother gives blood all the time and I always wanted to do so also...
I had the Red Cross tell me as a diabetic as long as I was well controlled it wasn't a problem. Even having received blood myself after so many years, they said if I was interested it wouldnt be a problem. Think as far as having received blood they just want to give it a significant amount of time in the event there WAS any problems.
Just hope they're right! They unfortunately don't show information to back-up that claim, which I think is required if half the world or more says we can't donate : /
Hmmm... I don't think I agree that information is required. This is one of the very rare instances where I am okay with anecdotal evidence. The Canadian website you linked to states their reason for not allowing insulin users to donate has nothing to do with the viability of the collected blood but rather with the chance of a hypoglycemic episode following the procedure. Frankly if I didn't do anything that carried a risk of hypoglycemia I wouldn't do much! I run, I cycle, I scuba, I play soccer, and I donate blood.
Perhaps the CDA could post the research outlining the research on hypoglycemic episodes and blood donation? ;)
Mind you proper precautions should be taken as with any situation in which a hypo is a risk.
I take similar precautions to what I would do for other events that could cause a hypo. Namely I try to be around 150-160 before they take the blood, I make sure I take my time after they take the blood and test often, and if possible I try not to be in a position where I need to drive for at least a couple hours afterward, just in case.
I was diagnosed with Type 1 in 2008. I just donated blood last month at a Red Cross blood drive (US). One of the questions asked was if I had ever used bovine insulin. I have only used the synthetic insulins, so I was told I was considered safe. My blood sugar readings were actually a bit higher than usual for about the next day or two. I countered this by setting my pump basals at 150-175%. I also waited a couple of days to resume my usual exercise, but I did the same when donating blood before my diagnosis. On the other hand, someone called about a year ago to ask if I would like to remain on the national bone marrow donor registry. They told me that anyone who uses insulin is removed from the list of potential donors.
blood is stored with dextrose as a preservative; the sugar in your blood is a comparatively minor issue
there is a teeny risk of getting certain diseases through animal insulin; therefore some places bar blood donation from people who have received animal derived injected medications
the only documented cases of transfer of type 1 diabetes occurred through bone marrow donation, not blood transfusion.
blood donation carries some risk to the donor. if you are sick, related to diabetes or not, donation may not be a good idea
In the US, you can generally donate unless you used bovine insulin (I think there may be a year bracket around that limitation) -- has to do with mad cow disease. There is also some kind of restriction when you first start on insulin or recently significantly changed insulin. But I think that likely has to do with a recent change in insulin use making you more prone to lows.
I’m an O neg, type I and I donate all the time! I haven’t had any diabetes related side-effects from doing so (ie low blood sugar, etc), although you’ll want to be well hydrated before donating - made the mistake of not drinking enough water before a donation and almost passed out afterwards. So hydrate before and then immediately after make sure you drink a good amount of water and you’ll be fine! Good luck and have fun - it’s awesome!!!
This is a real eye opener for me. I've ALWAYS presumed I wasn't able to donate. I grew up in England and they seem to have a different criteria.
If I can really be of help I'd love to. It's funny, but It always made me feel somewhat inferior to have presumed myself to not be eligible for donation...It's really cheered me up.
Sure enough. I'm allowed to donate in Washington. :)
Wow its great that we've gotten around this. Unfortunately however I went today and they told me I couldn't for the same reason (now I know the policies in Egypt too), even when I tried to insist that I've got all possible side effects under control. But at least now I know that I really am able to donate without any harm on either side except the possible hypoglycemia.
Of course do let the clinic know though, just in case you get an extreme hypo and they don't get what's wrong.
