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Donating Blood

Rachox

Oracle
Retired Moderator
Messages
17,519
Location
Oxford
Type of diabetes
I reversed my Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
For the first time in my life I have signed up and booked my first appt. to give blood. I worked all my adult life in infectious diseases, so wasn’t allowed. There was an appeal on TV this evening asking for more donors as stocks are running low. I did wonder if my diabetes would prevent me, but I went through all the questions and it seems I can. First appt I could go to in my area isn’t til November. I’m hoping there’s not anything not covered in the screening that’ll stop me donating on the day. Has anyone else with type 2 donated?
 
In the Netherlands, diabetics are allowed to donate but not if they're on insulin.

Apparently it's for our safety, and they don't care if your endo is willing to supply a written statement saying it's safe for you to donate.
I suppose those nurses at the blood bank are more knowledgable about diabetes than my endo.
 
I am also in Canada,and there is no restriction on donating blood because of diabetes.

However, I was banned from donating blood because I am a mad cow - I lived for a few years in the eighties in the UK. I understand that this restriction has been lifted recently. However, I still cannot donate blood because I am borderline anemic.
 
In Response said:
I have previously looked at donating blood.
When I asked if i could give blood with Type 1 diabetes, I was told there is no problem provided my diabetes is not treated with insulin.
Click to expand...
Sorry, the only emoji I could see fit to use was the laughing face.
Not funny, though, eh?

It is something I am not allowed to do any more. Too old, and decrepit, but something I did many times in my younger, healthier days. Then there would be regular sessions for blood donations put on in lots of work places, community halls , etc. No appointment needed. It seemed to work well. Seems counter productive to have to make an appointment.

Giving blood, plasma, bone marrow where appropriate is giving a gift of life to people in great need. Loved ones have been recipients. We were grateful.
 
duh! Just checked further and I'm too old!!! (which hurt!)
And yes there are local centres but booking many months ahead. The appointment for urgent blood seems to be only in the large cities, at the moment.
 
Donated twice a year from teenage until my mid fortys.
Mainly because my factory invited the vamps in every six months. And it was half an hour off the line.
Unfortunately I had to stop.
But I would urge those that can, to donate.
 
Same, I can’t give blood here in Canada because I was living in the UK during mad cow else I would, which never became an epidemic they were all predicting. And I have a blood type they want too.
 
I’m allowed to but shouldn’t be. I am iron deficient (ferritin) but they don’t test that when you donate - just haemoglobin which is ok.

Low ferritin under 30 is classed as absolute iron deficiency by NICE (with or without anemia) even though lab ref is 11+ simply because unrecognised ID occurs in so many people. Lab ref simply means 95% of people are in that range, not that it is necessary great or optimal, just common.
 
Would love to but unfortunately was told due to complications kidney failure etc not able to I think what they meant was “ your having a laugh” hehehe
 
I have always been told as I give myself insulin I can’t donate blood which is really frustrating as I would love to give blood. There’s a lot of things you can’t give with diabetes so I just “settled” for being an organ donor.
 
This looks like the best page to determine if you can give blood or not: https://my.blood.co.uk/your-account/eligibility/health
The bit about diabetes is generic and not specific to type - I guess it is easier for them to just say no to insulin regardless of Type 1 or type 2 (or 3c).
Looking through the site, I see there are more donation centres available now. When my partner last looked, the only option was at an industrial park in another city inaccessible by public transport. Now there are two options within walking distance with appointments tomorrow.
I am not sure if I can convince him to go as he doesn't like needles. Whereas, I am used to them but I still cannot donate
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Maybe it-still relates to when I was diagnosed (1980) when there were only 2 types 1or2 I know when I was working, I worked for BP they use to have sessions at the work .
 
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