Will they let you donate blood if you have anemia or an automimmune disease?!
Question:
Will they let you donate blood if you have anemia or an automimmune disease?
I'm have borderline anemia
Answers:
The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) regulates the donation and administration of blood and blood products. Blood is considered a drug. Each state must following FDA guidelines.
1. Your hematocrit (the percentage of red blood cells found in whole blood) must be 38 in order to donate blood. Normal Hct for women is 35-45; normal Hct for men is 45-55. This is an FDA requirement. Low hematocrit may indicate anemia. Anemia could be a symptom of another disease that might make your blood unsafe for others; or losing the pint of blood during donation, if you are anemic, may endanger your own health.
2. Autoimmune disease? This depends on which disease! People who have had cancer may even be eligible to donate blood after a certain time period has passed.
3. There are many other factors which might prevent you from donating blood. Tattooing and body piercing may make you ineligible, as may certain medications and respiratory/cardiac conditions.
If you are interested in donating, contact your local blood donation center and ask them these questions. If you are eligible, I encourage you to save a life by giving blood!