Diabetes and giving blood.

[lexdfox]

Wasn't quite sure to post this but I guess here is general enough...

So before becoming diagnosed I would give blood as often as I could, because I have the universal donor blood type (O+). I asked the nurses at the red cross if it was alright to give now that I'm diabetic and they said it was ok, which is good but still I was wondering if there are any things I should be aware of before/after/during giving blood.

I keep my numbers within normal range and have been for a while, so I know to do that, but what about after giving? Should I take a bolus for the snacks they make us have? Is it not necessary with the loss of blood? Things like that..

So if anyone else out there gives blood and know of any more things I should be aware of it would be greatly appreciated.

[Evermont]

Donating blood is a good thing - same for organ donation.

However, this statement is not accurate:

...give blood as often as I could, because I have the universal donor blood type (O+)...

Blood type O NEGATIVE is the "universal donor" (link (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_type#Red_blood_cell_compatibility)) because people with negative Rhesus factor will have problems with Rhesus positive blood. Still, All negative types combined make up less than 10% of the population - so O+ is close to universal.

[sarahspins]

As long as you've never used animal insulins (unlikely for those of us DX'd in the last decade) and aren't taking any medications on the excluded list, you can donate.

I've never noticed any change in BG at all while donating. I've never been "made" to have a snack afterwards but I do drink a bottle of water before I leave.

I think there is some chance that your A1C can be slightly lower in the couple of weeks after donating... but I don't know how much, it's just what I've heard.

[poodlebone]

I always assumed that I couldn't donate after being diagnosed with Type 1 at age 19. It was years before I found out that I could donate. I'd always schedule my appointment after lunch and would test before going into the center. After donating I'd test again and depending on what my BG was I'd sometimes bolus for the snack.

I haven't been able to donate in close to two years because my iron is too low now even though I take supplements and try to eat high iron foods before an appointment. They call me at least once a month trying to get me to come in but it's a waste of time so I usually put them off. I did go in once this year but was deferred. I'm also O+.

[thisstinks]

I DONATE LOTS OF TIMES AT WORK..IT USUALLY ISN'T VOLUNTARY THOUGH:mad:

[Moonglo]

Do make sure and eat something before donating... I know that's not really D-specific advice, but I have never passed out in my life, and almost did last spring after giving blood because I did so late that morning without eating breakfast that morning. Very scary.

[Mystae]

I'm assuming you're male, and so this probably won't be too much of an issue for you, but be certain you're not anemic before donating blood. I have been unable to donate blood since being diagnosed with D because of low blood iron levels (most of that due to blood loss from heavy periods... TMI, I know, I know... ;O), and was eventually hospitalized because of sever anemia due to blood loss and had to have not fun stuff done to me to get it taken care of. Anyway. Apparently, Diabetics are prone to anemia, most especially of their sugars are out of wack (mine were for a number of years, and I still struggle with unexplained highs... *GRRRR*), but also just in general... Since you said your sugars are okay, then it should not be an issue. Basically, I would just have a periodic check done to make certain your iron levels are okay, and then go from there. Assuming everything is great, have at it! I think blood donors are awesome, especially considering the number of bags I've had pumped in me over the years. :O)

[Funnygrl]

I DONATE LOTS OF TIMES AT WORK..IT USUALLY ISN'T VOLUNTARY THOUGH:mad:
Huh? They can't force you to donate blood.

I love donating blood and do it as often as I can. My hgb tends to run low, and sometimes I can't because I traveled somewhere, but my diabetes has never been a problem.

[poodlebone]

I'm assuming you're male, and so this probably won't be too much of an issue for you, but be certain you're not anemic before donating blood. I have been unable to donate blood since being diagnosed with D because of low blood iron levels (most of that due to blood loss from heavy periods... TMI, I know, I know... ;O), and was eventually hospitalized because of sever anemia due to blood loss and had to have not fun stuff done to me to get it taken care of. Anyway. Apparently, Diabetics are prone to anemia, most especially of their sugars are out of wack (mine were for a number of years, and I still struggle with unexplained highs... *GRRRR*), but also just in general... Since you said your sugars are okay, then it should not be an issue. Basically, I would just have a periodic check done to make certain your iron levels are okay, and then go from there. Assuming everything is great, have at it! I think blood donors are awesome, especially considering the number of bags I've had pumped in me over the years. :O)

They check your iron levels before you donate, so they'll know if you're okay or not. I never had a problem until 2-3 years ago when I suddenly started "failing" that fingerstick test. I never had a problem before and I've had T1 for 22+ years now. I do not have heavy periods, nothing else had changed. My numbers are not crazy and I try to eat a balanced diet. I am not a fan of red meat but do like chicken & turkey. I even tried eating beef a couple of times before a donation appointment and it didn't help (along with spinach, broccoli, raisins and every other food they recommended). I also take an iron supplement + vitamin C.

My CDE told me that she was aware my iron was low but said it wasn't enough to worry about.

[Lovecraft007]

Wow. I have always been told that because I am diabetic, I can't donate blood. That's it, no chance. Maybe it's different since I'm in Canada?

[strack350]

I've had the big D for 26 years now, and donate all the time. No problems with BG, or passing out or anything like that. Most of the time I don't eat before going in and have noticed no adverse symptoms. Also I have never passed out or gotten close to passing out, so I say your good to go. I did talk my buddy into giving blood though and he got sick, and passed out. LOL we made fun of him for weeks after:D maybe my friends and I have problems:confused: good thing is though, he still donates after all of this, he just lays on the table for about 10min now

[poodlebone]

No problems with BG, or passing out or anything like that.

I felt weird only one time. I got extremely dizzy and felt like I was going to pass out, throw up or both. I forget what they did, but they raised either my head or my legs and the feeling passed and I was fine in a couple of minutes.

I have no problems looking at my arm, the tubing and the collection bag attached to me but if I glance over and see another donor's blood I feel really queasy, so I try not to look at anything!

[strack350]

for my friednd, they raised his legs with some pillows, it supplys more blood to your head and lessens the effect of losing blood. They also told him he may have been slightly dehydrated and that may have caused him to "have problems";)

[CaitE]

I've also been told that being on Insulin prevents TIs from being able to donate...

I'm wondering why the discrepencies here.

Also in Canada.

[fgummett]

Wow. I have always been told that because I am diabetic, I can't donate blood. That's it, no chance. Maybe it's different since I'm in Canada?Last time I contacted the Canadian Blood Service I was told it was a "no go" so long as I was Insulin

http://www.bloodservices.ca/centreapps/internet/uw_v502_mainengine.nsf/9749ca80b75a038585256aa20060d703/c8ed195dc27d2dde85256ab000563ecc?OpenDocument#05

[Gangrel]

Wow. I have always been told that because I am diabetic, I can't donate blood. That's it, no chance. Maybe it's different since I'm in Canada?

I have heard the same thing. My friend who's an RN told me it's because a high amount of sugar present in blood means it will not keep as well.

So, I suppose CBS decided rather then checking glucose of all donators and making a judgement, the easiest thing was to keep all diabetics from donating.........

[jlenegan]

I have heard the same thing. My friend who's an RN told me it's because a high amount of sugar present in blood means it will not keep as well.

So, I suppose CBS decided rather then checking glucose of all donators and making a judgement, the easiest thing was to keep all diabetics from donating.........

That's not true, they actually put glucose in the blood bag so the blood keeps longer. Their probably afraid of you getting low during the donation.