I have diabetes – can I still give blood?

Many of us want to help save lives by donating blood. However, if you have diabetes, you may be unsure whether you can or not.


The answer isn’t quite a simple yes or no. It all depends on how you manage your diabetes.

Guidelines for everybody

Blood donation clinics have a responsibility to assess how suitable prospective donors are. This is to protect the health of both the recipients of blood and blood donors themselves.


Countries around the globe have national guidelines on who can, and cannot, donate blood. To be eligible in the UK, for example, you must:
be in good health
be between 17 and 65 years (if it's your first time)
weigh at least 50kg (7st 12Ib)

Donating blood if you have diabetes

There are a variety of reasons why you might not be able to give blood, and having diabetes can potentially be one of them.


If you manage your diabetes with tablets or non-insulin injections and have no complications or other underlying medical conditions, you will be able to donate. But if you have to take insulin to manage your diabetes, the World Health Organization recommends that you don't donate blood.


The main reason why you might not be able to donate if you have diabetes is because it may be unsafe for you to do so. Donating blood could affect your blood glucose control, causing your blood sugar levels to fall too low (hypoglycaemia).

Variation in the rules

Although many countries follow this rule, there is still some variation.


The Australian Red Cross Blood Service, for example, advises you to call them for advice if you’re taking insulin to assess whether you’re eligible. You may still be able to donate if you manage your diabetes with insulin, but it must be well controlled. If you have no complications and are managing well with oral medicines and diet then you should be able to donate.

The American Red Cross have similar rules and state that if your diabetes is well controlled with insulin or oral medicines, then you will be eligible too.


Individual countries also have extra stipulations. For example, in the UK, you cannot donate blood if you:

• have changed your medicines to manage diabetes in the last four weeks 
• feel faint or have fainted 
• have another health condition, such as heart problems or kidney problems 
• have had surgery to unblock an artery 
• have had an organ transplant 

Check the national guidelines where you live for more information, or ask a doctor for advice.

Safety first

It could be that you can donate blood which is great. If you can’t, it can be very disappointing but it’s important to remember that the key priority is to protect your health

Source : http://www.bupa.co.uk/individuals/health-information/diabetes/I-have-diabetes-can-I-still-give-blood-2013