Giving Blood

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Permalink Reply by Josephine on May 11, 2009 at 3:44am

I would answer no because Insulin is a hormone, everyone has it and we're just replacing it. I have often wondered about giving bl. as well, I suppose it'll be ok if the person in question is well controlled. I often wonder about organ donation as well. I will now have a look at the questionaire.

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Permalink Reply by Jonathan on May 11, 2009 at 4:46am

I've tried to give twice in the US and both times been turned down -- I asked why once and they said there was a concern that my BG might be way out of the range of what is "normal" and my high or low sugar might trigger a bad reaction in the recipient. Love that word "normal". I know so many non-Ds who are so abnormal it is disgusting. I'm the most normal person I know (and that should scare everyone). In any event, the American Red Cross apparently has a policy of not taking blood from diabetics.

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Permalink Reply by Hefin Land on May 11, 2009 at 4:58am

Interesting, I thought it may be something to do with dirty needles, rather than your BG on the day, and if it was slightly high or low the doner of the blood should be able to correct it.

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Permalink Reply by Linzie Wohletz on May 11, 2009 at 9:26am

Really? I just read at redcross.org that diabetics who are in control and heatly, taking insulin or oral medication can donate blood.

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Permalink Reply by Kristin on May 11, 2009 at 5:28am

I know some type 1's who give blood. Many of them said that they experience higher blood sugars for some time after giving blood (maybe even weeks?).

I have not given blood since being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, though I used to.

My personal decision to not give blood is based on the fact that we do not know many of the details of what causes type 1 diabetes. I don't know if antibodies can be transfered with blood, but I would not want to give any blood that could cause problems for the recipient. Perhaps this isn't logical, but I decided not to give blood.

But if there were a desperate need to blood donors (more than the usual), I would reconsider. My blood is better than no blood.

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Permalink Reply by Hefin Land on May 11, 2009 at 5:51am

Sounds logical to me. As you write, we don't know what causes it, and maybe best to keep it to ourselves.

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Permalink Reply by Dan W. on May 11, 2009 at 6:09am

I was a regular double-red donater until my diagnoses with type 1 a little over a year ago (the double-red is every 12 weeks, when they hook you up to a big machine and take red blood cells only, replacing the missing fluid w/ plasma, so you do not leave as "drained" - i think...). I still get calls from the blood center, and they are ready to have me as soon as I am comfortable with it, and feeling in control. I'm not ready yet, but will keep the options open - although had not thought about the possibility of tainting the supply because of the unknown cause - hmm... Either way, I would not forsee going back to donating until I was way way under control, and had been for some time.

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Permalink Reply by Hefin Land on May 11, 2009 at 6:42am

I emailed the blood service here in the UK, asking if Type 1's can give blood, the response was.....

"Thank you very much for your enquiry. We hope the following answers your concerns.

I am sorry but this will prevent you from donating blood. If anything changes in the future please contact us back.

If there is anything we can help with or that you would like to discuss further, please do not hesitate to contact us again. We would be pleased to help if we can."

So that's the stand in the UK

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Permalink Reply by Robyn on May 11, 2009 at 7:13am

I was told I could not give blood because of being Type1.........have not given blood since high school days........30 yrs! yikes

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Permalink Reply by Linzie Wohletz on May 11, 2009 at 8:02am

I have given blood twice, both times in high school during our annual blood drive, they never told me I couldnt.

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Permalink Reply by Robyn on May 11, 2009 at 8:06am

I wonder........I will have to check into this...If I could I would for sure!

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Permalink Reply by Linzie Wohletz on May 11, 2009 at 8:37am

I found this, yes we can donate blood.

http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.d8aaecf214c576bf971...

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