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Several years ago I went to donate blood for the first time. I filled in the form etc went to the seat ready for the nurse to take the blood. As she was getting the needle she asked if I took any prescription drugs. So I replied just insulin for my diabetes. She was shocked and quickly explained that there was no way someone dependent on insulin injections could donate blood as "they would need to pump it straight back in".
I went away and checked the NHS guidelines and it does say I cannot donate blood (although I am sure the form I filled in made no mention of it).
I know other countries such as the US are quite happy for insulin dependent diabetics to donate blood and have seen many comments from T1 diabetics saying they regularly donate.
So my question is does anyone in the UK with T1 donate blood and just not mention you have diabetes?
I personally think the UK's policy on blood donation is seriously out of date (I am also a gay man, but that's a whole other discussion). I have also read that there is a small but real chance of "giving" someone T1 from stem cell donation but there is no risk from blood donation.
I went away and checked the NHS guidelines and it does say I cannot donate blood (although I am sure the form I filled in made no mention of it).
I know other countries such as the US are quite happy for insulin dependent diabetics to donate blood and have seen many comments from T1 diabetics saying they regularly donate.
So my question is does anyone in the UK with T1 donate blood and just not mention you have diabetes?
I personally think the UK's policy on blood donation is seriously out of date (I am also a gay man, but that's a whole other discussion). I have also read that there is a small but real chance of "giving" someone T1 from stem cell donation but there is no risk from blood donation.