Haemoglobin disorders - Whole Blood and Components

Essential information

Obligatory

Must not donate if:

1. Sickle cell syndrome.
2. Thalassaemia syndrome.
3. Has a high affinity haemoglobin.

Discretionary

1. Donors with symptomless traits for abnormal haemoglobin, accept. Note, there is special guidance for donors with sickle cell trait.
2. Donors with thalassaemia trait, accept but advise they may fail the haemoglobin screening test.

Supporting information

See if relevant

• Anaemia
• Polycythaemia and raised haemoglobin
• Sickle cell trait
• Transfusion

Additional information

People with traits for abnormal haemoglobin and thalassaemia may be able to donate if they pass the haemoglobin screening test at the session and have no other problems associated with the trait.

Some individuals with thalassaemia trait have levels of haemoglobin lower than that required to pass the screening test required by the Blood Services. Although this is normal for them, they may never be able to donate.

Individuals with certain 'high affinity' haemoglobins develop polycythaemia because of the reduced oxygen carrying capacity of their blood. This would be detrimental to a recipient of their blood and donation may be harmful to the donor. For these reasons they should not be accepted.

Reason for change:

The see if relevant section has been updated.

Version details:

WB-DSG Edition 203 Release 58 (22 June 2021)