Anaemia - Whole Blood and Components

Essential information

Includes

Iron deficiency, iron treatment, folate deficiency and pernicious anaemia.

Obligatory

Must not donate if:

1. Fails the haemoglobin screen test.
2. Under investigation or on treatment for anaemia.

Discretionary

History of anaemia:

This must be assessed regarding its cause, current status and what treatment has been received.

1. Iron deficiency:
   1. If not under investigation and the underlying cause is not a reason to exclude, accept.
   2. If following treatment to cure anaemia, the donor is taking medication to prevent recurrence, accept.
2. Other types:
   1. Medication to prevent recurrence, as opposed to treat anaemia (e.g. B12 for treated pernicious anaemia or folic acid for treated folate deficiency), accept.
   2. See if relevant conditions below.
   3. In other cases: refer to a Designated Clinical Support Officer.

Supporting information

See if relevant

• Haemoglobin disorders
• Haemoglobin estimation
• Haemolytic anaemia
• Kidney and bladder disease
• Malignancy

If treated with blood components or blood products or by plasma exchange or filtration:

• Transfusion

Additional information

Donating blood will lower the haemoglobin concentration. People with a history of anaemia may not be able to make up this loss as easily as others.

Reason for change:

Additional links have been added together with specific mention of pernicious anaemia and folate deficiency. There have been other minor changes to improve clarity.

Version details:

WB-DSG Edition 203 Release 22 (17 June 2014)