JPAC Joint United Kingdom (UK) Blood Transfusion and Tissue Transplantation Services Professional Advisory Committee

Anaemia

Includes

Iron deficiency, iron treatment, folate deficiency and pernicious anaemia.

Obligatory

Must not donate if:
a) Fails the haemoglobin screen test.

b) Under investigation or on treatment for anaemia.

Discretionary

History of anaemia:
This must be assessed regarding its cause, current status and what treatment has been received.

1. Iron deficiency:
a) If not under investigation and the underlying cause is not a reason to exclude, accept.

b) If following treatment to cure anaemia, the donor is taking medication to prevent recurrence, accept.

2. Other types:
a) Medication to prevent recurrence, as opposed to treat anaemia (e.g. B12 for treated pernicious anaemia or folic acid for treated folate deficiency), accept.

b) 'See if Relevant' conditions below.

c) In other cases:
Refer to a 'Designated Clinical Support Officer'.

See if Relevant

Haemoglobin Disorders
Haemoglobin Estimation
Haemolytic Anaemia
Kidney and Bladder Disease
Malignancy

If treated with blood components or blood products or by plasma exchange or filtration:
Transfusion

Additional Information

Donating blood will lower the haemoglobin concentration. People with a history of anaemia may not be able to make up this loss as easily as others.

Information

Part of this entry is a requirement of the Blood Safety and Quality Regulations 2005.

Reason for change

Additional links have been added together with specific mention of pernicious anaemia and folate deficiency. There have been other minor changes to improve clarity.

Donor Information

If you wish to obtain more information regarding a personal medical issue please contact your National Help Line.

Please do not contact this web site for personal medical queries, as we are not in a position to provide individual answers.

Update Information

This entry was last updated in:
DSG-WB Edition 203, Release 22