Diabetic and donating blood. Does is effect sugar levels?

Question

I read that a diabetic can donate blood as long as they are in control of the disease and never taken bovine insulin.
My question is does donating blood alter your sugar levels????

My question is out of curiosity, nothing more. I'm 25 and type one diabetic, and simply curious of how, why, and what can alter sugar readings apart from the obvious sugar consumption.

If anyone can explain medically how and what happens to a diabetic when they donate blood (or lose blood) I'd appreciate it. Thanks! :)

Answer 1

I am a type one and donated! I went a little low (not knowing if donating had to do with it) but i got weak like a lot of people do when they donate...they just want the iron in our blood!

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Answer 2

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Answer 3

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Answer 4

Yes a Type I diabetic can give blood. the only exclusion is that if you have ever used BEEF based insulin you can not donate. In the USA most BEEF insulin use ended around 1985. The Red Cross has guidelines for blood donation. I check a few minutes before I donate and I only donate if I am 90 - 110 so that I fall in a very normal range. Not too hard to do if you have good control, it is easier with a pump though.

I do notice that my insulin response is much different for about a week after giving blood though. I am more prone to wild swings. My blood sugar goes higher after the same number of carbs and my response to the insulin is also more intense. I guess it makes sense if you look at it as the ratio of insulin to blood volume.

Answer 5

As a diabetic, your eligibility is determined by your medication.

Diabetics who take oral anti-diabetic medications, like Glucophage, Avandia, Actos, Glipizide, Starlix, and Prandin can give blood to help Hawaii's patients. Diabetics taking Byetta, an injectable glucose-regulating prescription drug, can also donate. If you are dependent on insulin injections, you will not be able to donate.

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, a hormone in the body that helps convert sugar, starches, and other foods into energy. According to the American Diabetes Association, 20.8 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes and another 41 million Americans have pre-diabetes.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

I went to donate some blood myself a couple of years ago when my sister first decided to donate. When they discovered I was a type 1 diabetic, they instantly said I couldn't give blood. Their reason was that it was protocol, and no that my blood was bad or something.

So when I found myself in a lecture on blood transfusions and donations during my first year of nurse training, I queried it with my lecturer. His answer was simple - as it stands for protocol, people with diabetes cannot donate because we need the blood more than others.
I'm a little dubious as to whether it was a ligitimate answer, but perhaps it was just the standardised general answer given to all people with diabetes or other chronic conditions.

Answer 8

If your doctor is knowledgeable about diabetes (mine's not, he's a general practitioner and my insurance won't pay for me to see a specialist unless you-know-who makes the referral) then ask him.

I'm Type II diabetic, have been for years and I regularly donate blood. The local blood bank is happy to take it despite the fact that I take Glucophage and Amaryl. (The doctor just changed me to Avandaryl so I don't know if they can keep taking it.)

I always drink LOTS of water before dontating, so I don't feel dehydrated, and I take along a snack of nuts or something like that (healthier than the cookies and Koolaid that they give at the blood donation place) as a light snack after I donate and I'm fine.

Answer 9

Can Diabetics Give Blood

Answer 10

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I am very happy to tell you that I have been feeling better than I have felt in years and my doctor informed me that he will be taking me off my prescriptions if I keep this up.

I recommend you use the Type 2 Diabetes Destroyer to naturally reverse your diabetes.

Answer 11

I'm diabetic and was told I can't donate blood,even when sugar-levels are under control