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Can Diabetics Donate Blood?

Diabetic Exchange USA

Are you a diabetic looking to donate blood and make a difference in the world?

Can diabetics even donate blood? What does the blood donation process even look like? Let’s find out:

But first…

What is a blood transfusion?

A blood transfusion is the routine medical procedure of adding blood to those with injuries or illnesses (usually through a tube inserted into your vein). The blood is acquired through blood donations can be life-saving for those who need it.

What are some of the requirements for donating blood?

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, some of the requirements are:

  • You must be in good health

  • Male donors must be at least 17 years old, 5’1” in height, and weigh at least 130 pounds

  • Female donors must be at least 19 years old, at least 5’5” in height, and weigh at least 150 pounds

  • You cannot have organ disease, bleeding tendencies, lung disease, or heart disease

  • You cannot donate blood within 56 days of each donation

  • You can not have cold or flu-like symptoms

  • You must have a valid driver’s license, state ID, or other forms of identification

Note: Not all requirements are listed above, check with your local blood donation center to learn more (there might be depending on which state you live in).

Eligible to donate blood so far? Excellent. Keep reading to learn more about donating blood as a diabetic, we want you to be fully equipped.

Why would somebody need blood donated to them in the first place?

Well, I’m glad you asked. Blood donations are essential for many people and for many reasons. Let’s take a look at a few and break down why each patient might need blood donated to them according to the National Institutes of Health:

  • Undergone surgery: If somebody has recently undergone surgery, they may need blood donated to them due to blood loss

  • Anemia: Those with Anemia do not have enough oxygen-rich blood, causing fatigue or weakness. In severe cases, red blood cell transfusions may be necessary.

  • Cancer: A blood transfusion can help fight certain types of cancers and often helps counter the negative side effects of common cancer treatments.

  • Sickle cell: Sickle cell is a disease where people have abnormal proteins within their blood. It is most common among people of African ancestry. The only way to cure sickle cell is through a bone marrow and blood transplant.

  • Burn victim: Severe burn victims can experience major blood loss and lack of red cell production. Therefore, a blood transfusion can be life-saving and promote recovery.

Fun fact: 90% of people who are eligible to donate blood don’t.

Still interested in donating blood? Perfect. Now…

Can diabetics donate blood?

The question has risen from the fact that diabetics generally have trouble controlling their blood sugar levels.

To answer the question: Yes, diabetics can donate blood, though, they should be on the lookout for some things in particular.

If you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, you are eligible to give blood donations, however, you must be in good health and have your condition under control before doing so.

Diabetics should bring any blood monitoring equipment they need to keep track of their blood sugar levels during the blood donation process.

If you have diabetes, share that with the person in charge of your screening. They may ask you what medications you take as well as check a few other things beforehand (such as blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and a sample of blood) according to Healthline.

Figuring out your blood type

The eight most common blood types are (A+, A-,  B+, B-,  O+, O-,  AB+, AB-). If you don’t know your blood type, you can easily figure it out by using a blood typing kit.

Also, blood types are inherited, so you can ask your biological parents what blood type they are and see if they know.

Universal blood donors: Universal blood donors are those with O- blood. O- blood can be used in any blood transfusion, regardless of the other person’s blood type, this makes it in very high demand (only 7% of the population has O- blood).

Fun fact: Every 2 seconds a person is in need of a blood transfusion in the United States.

What does the blood donation process look like?

The process of donating blood is relatively simple, however, you should be prepared beforehand and make sure you are eligible to donate blood in the first place.

The step-by-step process of donating blood:

  • Find out where you would like to donate blood. You can find the locations of many blood drives on Google or Apple Maps and even fill out a pre-screening form online.

  • In the weeks before your appointment, you will want to make sure that you are getting plenty of iron from the foods you eat. Foods that are high in iron include, but are not limited to: beans, cashews, spinach lean red meat, chicken, fish, and dried apricots.

  • According to Community Blood Center, on the day of your donation, you should drink lots of water to stay hydrated, wear comfortable clothing which exposes your arms (or that can be rolled up), bring a list of your current medications, and also have your state ID or drivers license on hand.

  • Once you arrive at your blood drive facility, you will need to sign in and you will be asked pre-screening questions (questions may include those about your health and recent travel, medicines you have taken or are taking, and your risk of infections. They may also take your temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and blood sample).

  • Now comes the needle, they will clean your arm with an antiseptic if you aren’t allergic and use a sterile needle to extract your blood.

Terrified of needles? You aren’t alone. According to Jamaicahospital.org, roughly 20 percent of the world population have a fear of needles to some degree and 10 percent suffer from what’s known as Trypanophobia (the irrational and disabling fear of needles).

If you would like further information on how to overcome this common fear, AdventHealth has an excellent article on the topic. Some of the tips include:

  • Facing your fears

  • Considering therapy

  • Get your doctor involved

  • Get the shot and overcome it

What happens next and when can I donate again?

So you made it through the process of donating blood. Congrats! Now what’s next?

  • Your blood will be tested to make sure you don’t have any sexually transmitted diseases. If you do, your blood will be disposed of.

  • Your arm may be bruised due to the puncture created by the needle but it should go away in a few days.

  • You should eat and drink healthy foods afterward.

If your blood is accepted, it will be used when it is needed most. You should be happy that you donated blood! Not only do you get paid for doing so, but you also help those in need.

As you can see, the process for donating blood is not too different for those with and without diabetes. You can donate red blood cells every 56 days (8 weeks), or Power Red every 112 days (16 weeks) according to the American Red Cross.

In conclusion, whether you are a diabetic or not, you should highly consider donating blood! You never know who you might save.

Sources:

All content within this blog post is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

Diabetic Exchange USA

Diabetic Exchange USA is the leading buyer of diabetic supplies. If you’ve made it this far, you may want to consider selling your extra diabetic test strips, lancets, or CGMs. Similar to donating blood, some people are in need of diabetic supplies.

Instead of throwing your diabetic supplies in the trash, sell them to us and get paid! We provide pharmaceutical products to those who can’t afford the over-inflated retail prices.