Donating blood once or on a regular basis saves lives. Just one session of blood donation can impact many lives — but as a person with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, you may wonder: do they want my blood, too?
Does the American Red Cross want blood from a person with diabetes if their blood sugars aren’t perfect? If you have diabetes-related complications? If you have other conditions, like a thyroid disorder, Celiac disease, or high cholesterol?
Let’s take a closer look at the rules and guidelines of blood donation for people with diabetes.
Regardless of diabetes, you absolutely cannot donate blood if…
- You are sick with a cold, flu, infection, etc.
- You are pregnant
- You have low iron levels
- You’ve gotten a tattoo within the past year
- You weigh less than 110 pounds
- You are under 17 years old (16-year-olds need parental permission)
- You have ever used recreational intravenous drugs or steroids
- You’ve received a new piercing on your body within the past year
- You have cancer
- You have been in cancer remission for less than one year
- You have Babesiosis
- You’ve given birth within the last 6 weeks
- You’re being treated for postpartum medical issues
- You’ve received a blood transfusion within 1 year
- You’ve undergone surgery recently (many details vary here)
- You have HIV/Aids
- You have heart disease
- You have lung disease
- You are being treated for Lyme’s disease
Eligibility requirements for people with diabetes
In general, people with diabetes can donate blood, but your blood sugar levels, in particular, do matter.
When you first arrive at the donation center, you’ll be taken through a screening process where honesty counts! There is no reason to lie during your screening process. Telling the truth about your blood sugar levels ensures that your blood has the potential to save lives.
If you live in the United Kingdom or Canada
Both Canada and the United Kingdom do not allow people taking insulin to donate blood.
This means anyone with type 1 diabetes cannot donate, but those with type 2 diabetes can as long as they do not require insulin for blood sugar management.
Your A1c and general blood sugar management
The American Red Cross does not list a specific A1c or blood sugar level requirement for those with diabetes to be eligible.
That being said, blood with higher levels of glucose simply doesn’t maintain its quality during the storage period compared to blood with a normal glucose level.
This doesn’t mean you need perfect blood sugar levels to donate, but if you’ve been struggling with diabetes management and your A1c is well above 9 percent, or your blood sugar is over 200 mg/dL at the time of donating, you may want to wait until you’ve been able to bring your blood sugars down into a healthier range.
You will not have to prove your A1c or even your current blood sugar level at the time of donating, so it’s really up to you to be honest, and let the American Red Cross professionals determine if you qualify during the screening process.
If you’ve ever taken “bovine” insulin
While today’s modern insulins are all acceptable, a specific type of older insulin will automatically exclude you.
“Donors with diabetes who since 1980, ever used bovine (beef) insulin made from cattle from the United Kingdom are not eligible to donate,” explains the American Red Cross.
The concern with bovine insulin is about a “CJD variant” and “mad cow” disease.
Other diabetes medications
At this time, the only medication prescribed for diabetes management that prevents you from donating blood is Warfarin, a blood thinner that can interact with some diabetes drugs (sulfonylureas) to intensify their effectiveness and cause low blood sugar levels for some patients.
During your screening process, be sure to list all the medications you take!
Diabetes complications
Diabetes complications on their own may not automatically exclude you, but it’s critical to discuss these complications during the screening process.
The largest concern here is whether or not donating blood may actually worsen or exacerbate your own health, so it’s important to disclose any and all complications regarding your eyes, extremities (fingers, toes, feet, etc.), kidneys, skin, and so on.
For example, if you are struggling with retinopathy, the stress and changes in blood pressure that may occur during and after the blood donation process could affect the safety and health of your eyes.
Discuss any and all health concerns with your healthcare team or American Red Cross professionals before donating.
Different types of blood donation & basic eligibility
Regardless of diabetes, there are several different types of blood donation, and each type comes with different eligibility requirements, explained in detail by the American Red Cross:
Whole blood donation
A “whole blood” donation is just as it sounds: donating whole blood rather than donating specific aspects of blood (like platelets, etc.). Your donation will include the red cells, white cells, platelets, and plasma.
This is the simplest and easiest approach to blood donation because it doesn’t require processing the blood to pull out specific details and then intravenously cycling the “leftovers” back into your arm.
Eligibility for “whole blood” donation:
- Frequency: no sooner than every 56 days
- In good health and feeling well
- At least 16 years old in most states
- Weigh at least 110 lbs
Power Red Donation
A “power red” donation is much like donating whole blood, but a special machine actually pulls more blood cells from your blood. Then the machine returns the extra plasma and platelets back to you intravenous.
Eligibility for “power red” donation:
- Frequency: no sooner than 112 days, up to 3 times/year or up to 2 times/year for men under age 18
- In good health and feeling well
- Male donors must be at least 17 years old in most states, at least 5’1″ tall and weigh at least 130 lbs
- Female donors must be at least 19 years old, at least 5’5″ tall and weigh at least 150 lbs
Platelet Donation
A “platelet” donation is more time-intensive than a “whole blood” donation, but it’s a powerful donation that changes lives for those who need extra platelets.
“Platelets are tiny cells in your blood that form clots and stop bleeding. For millions of Americans, they are essential to surviving and fighting cancer, chronic diseases, and traumatic injuries,” explains the American Red Cross.
“Every 15 seconds someone needs platelets. Platelets must be used within five days and new donors are needed every day.”
Eligibility for “platelet” donation:
- Frequency: no sooner than 7 days, up to 24 times/year
- In good health and feeling well
- At least 17 years old in most states
- Weigh at least 110 lbs
AB Elite Plasma Donation
An “AB elite plasma” donation is very specialized and requires AB blood types, which means a significant percentage of people simply wouldn’t qualify.
This type of donation wants just your plasma, which means your blood is drawn, processed through a machine to remove just the plasma, and the red cells and platelets are returned to you, with additional saline. Despite the details, it doesn’t take much longer than a “whole blood” donation.
Eligibility for “AB elite plasma” donation:
- Frequency: no sooner than every 28 days, up to 13 times/year
- Must have type AB blood
- Be in good health and feeling well
- At least 17 years old
- Weigh at least 110 lbs
Preparing for blood donation if you have diabetes
Before donating blood, you should try your best to:
- Strive to keep blood sugars in a “normal” range the day before/of donating
- Hydrate well by drinking plenty of water
- Get plenty of sleep the night before
- Do not perform intense exercise that same day, before or after donating
- Be sure to have eaten a normal snack or meal
- Be sure not to consume too much caffeine
- Be prepared to disclose any medications you are currently on
- Do not smoke or drink alcohol the day before/of donating
After you donate blood
- Check your blood sugar frequently
- Take insulin as directed
- Drink plenty of water
- Avoid intense exercise for at least 24 hours
- Rest immediately if you’re feeling dizzy
- Rest if feeling lightheaded
- Eat your normal snacks and meals
For patients with type 1 diabetes
Some patients with type 1 diabetes report higher blood sugar levels during the few days after donating blood. This could be related to hydration levels — since becoming dehydrated can easily raise your blood sugar.
This means it’s extra important that you drink plenty of water after donating blood as a person with diabetes.
For patients with type 2 diabetes
Interestingly, recent research has found that people with diabetes who donate blood regularly see short and longterm improvements in their health.
“Heart attack, stroke and type II diabetes have all been shown to be less common in individuals that regularly donate blood,” explains research from the King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC).
For short-term health, the same study found that just one donation session temporarily improved insulin production and glucose tolerance.
“The improvement was particularly evident three weeks after donation. By three months, most of the tested biomarkers returned to their pre-donation levels.”
On the other hand, patients who donate blood shortly before an A1c test may have lower than accurate results, according to other research. Does this mean you shouldn’t donate? No — but it is something to keep in mind as you assess and manage your overall diabetes care.
Don’t let diabetes stop you from donating blood if you are otherwise healthy and the country you live in welcomes donations from those with diabetes!
