Can a diabetic donate blood?

Question

I am 38 year old male. I recently turned diabetic. Doctor has not yet put me on any medicine but advised me vigorous walking or excercises for 45 minutes to control blood sugar level. . Is it safe for me to donate blood? Will it in any way affect the recipient of my blood?

Answer 1

Red Cross guidelines:
"To give blood for transfusion to another person, you must be healthy, be at least 17 years old or 16 years old if allowed by state law, weigh at least 110 pounds, and not have donated blood in the last 8 weeks (56 days). "Healthy" means that you feel well and can perform normal activities. If you have a chronic condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure, "healthy" also means that you are being treated and the condition is under control."

As someone mentioned before:

"Those who since 1980, received an injection of bovine (beef) insulin made from cattle from the United Kingdom are not eligible to donate. This requirement is related to concerns about variant CJD, or 'mad cow' disease. Learn more about variant CJD and blood donation."

With diabetes alone, there really isn't any chance of transmitting something harmful. I think the main concern is that the blood is of optimal condition for best results in the recipient. Being loaded with floating glucose is not likely to meet that requirement.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

2

Answer 4

The chance for infection, ability to recover or mend even a simple wound, and the substantial results that can occur if infection happens, would make me the diabetic not wanna donate. Not sure if it's true but if I was receiving blood, I don't want any of that diabetic blood.....too many questions, possible problems, don't feel guilty about not being able to donate.

Answer 5

No. I've had Diabetes II for over 20 years and used to donate blood before then. When the blood drive came around I told them and even though my blood sugars were normal and were under control, they said no. And not even plasma, because I asked about that too.

Answer 6

Depending on the state you are in, you should be able to donate blood. I just checked the red cross website a few weeks ago for the same info and it said that for chronic diseases that are not transmissible through blood (like diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.) blood donation is fine as long as it is controlled. Check with your local red cross chapter to be sure. (Or just go to a donation and see what happens)

Answer 7

When I was diagnosed with Diabetes Type II, I thought I'd never be able to donate blood again but when the blood bank called to ask me to donate and I told them I was now taking Glucophage and Amaryl, they said they could still take my blood!

Later, when I got on medication for high blood pressure, again I thought it would discqualify me but they still were happy to take my blood.

You can't donate if you've been on antibiotics within the last 3 days and there's some medications that disqualify you as long as you're on them but check with your local blood bank. I think they'd be glad to let you donate. God knows they need all the donors that they can get!

After 9/11, people were lining up to donate but now, 5 years later, people don't donate anymore!

Answer 8

Yes, you can. Only certain out of control diabetics can't donate. If you diligently continue to do as you're doing, you should be okay. It won't hurt for you to know this:

For type I and type II diabetics (and those who are overweight and could potentially become diabetic). Copy and bookmark the webpages I‘ve listed below… they are invaluable for those with diabetes and/or weight problems...

I've found a wonderful book that will help you control your diabetes and minimize or even eliminate the complications. Some folks who became diabetic due to poor diet and obesity are effectively cured by following the advice in this book. I'm a type II (inherited), but it helps all types, especially those who became diabetic due to poor eating habits. It's by an author who has really done his homework, Patrick Quillin, Phd. It's called, "The Diabetes Improvement Program". I have tried his suggestions and found them to be very helpful. I have no complications whatsoever and my blood sugar levels are quite stable. Yes, I still have to take Metformin (Glucophage) daily, but it's the minimum dosage (500mg) and I only have to take it twice a day. I have been off Metformin for as much as a week, but this was with vigorous exercise. Many, what I call, non-hereditary type IIs (those that don't have a close relative who had it) have gotten off medication completely, just with diet, exercise, and supplements. So, in some instances, it most certainly can be 'effectively' cured. Read more about it here:
http://www.diabetesimprovement.com/

The book explains what's going on in our system and what to do about it. It's really easy and inexpensive. It's basically diet, supplements, and exercise. For example, did you know that cinnamon helps blood sugar absorption? It also controls cholesterol and triglycerides. This is according to the USDA:
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/np/fnrb/fnrb0104.htm#pinch

For men: Are you suffering from erectile dysfunction? I was. Yes, WAS. Now that everything's under control, I'm able to have nearly normal sex again. I've also put together a little webpage highlighting some of the things I've learned here:
http://www.geocities.com/seabulls69/Type_II_Diabetes.html

Remarkable supplement improves circulation and can help prevent neuropathy and macular degeneration:
http://www.quantumhealth.com/news/pycnogenol_about.html

Great calorie enlightenment:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/changingshape5.htm

Lots of information on diabetes:
http://www.endocrineweb.com/index.html

Type 1 diabetes info:
http://www.sciencenews.org/pages/sn_arc99/6_26_99/fob2.htm
http://articles.animalconcerns.org/ar-voices/archive/milk_problems.html
http://www.nealhendrickson.com/mcdougall/020700puthepancreas.htm

Recommended reading for anyone trying to control weight, especially diabetics:
http://rheumatic.org/insulin.htm

Some psychology behind overeating:
http://www.geocities.com/seabulls69/weightloss.html

Insulin and the brain:
http://www.boston.com/yourlife/health/diseases/articles/2006/01/30/insulin_in_the_brain/

Why the British are healthier than Americans:
http://www.geocities.com/seabulls69/UKvsUSAdocs.html

Some great health sites with all kinds of general health information:
http://www.chetday.com
http://www.drmcdougall.com
http://phifoundation.org

Answer 9

Off Course

Answer 10

make sure of the diagnosis, they told me that and for two weeks I thought I was diabetic, daily testing showed between 70-110 "NORMAL".... I HAD TO FIGURE THIS OUT ?????? another guy I know was told he was Diabetic for almost two years, turned out "Normal". They (A.D.A) just dropped the level to below 110 for normal, it used to be 125 or so, this has caused a lot of false diagnosis, on the other hand, the food industry pushes so much sugar at us, that it is actually causing Adult Onset type 2 diabetes, in many American's, why are we not sky writing this info. across America, It's something we should be aware of, it is at "Pandemic" level !