Blood Donor: Is it safe to donate blood if you have a blood condition?

@dianegrant I don't believe you should donate blood with MGUS or any blood related condition. Have you heard otherwise?

Althought this is a site based in the United Kingdom, my bet it is the same here in the United States: https://www.transfusionguidelines.org/dsg/wb/guidelines/ha001-haematological-disease#:~:text=Must%20not%20donate%20if%3A,of%20unknown%20significance%20(MGUS).
Ginger

Thanks, that was kind of what I thought.

Any info on donating blood if you have PV? Seems like a real shame watching my pint of fresh blood get tossed following a phlebotomy visit.

I have been diagnosed with chronic leukemia in my bone marrow. Just trying to put my arms around all this and what it really means. I'm 64 soon to be 65 and although my hematologist is so educated she doesn't break down all the medical terminology to where I know what all this bad news really means to me ...any advise, your experience and what happens is appreciated

Because PV is considered an abnormality, the blood they take from you is not allowed to be used as a donation.

Yes you can just donate blood. My hematologist said that’s what he tells his PV patients to do. Just go donate w/out mention of your PV. I was exposed to Hepatitis, and carry immunity but am not allowed to donate. I have to pay almost $400 a pop for each phlebotomy.

@nypara66
Most of the time persons with blood disorders such as polycythemia or hemochromatosis are disqualified as blood donors. Polycythemia Vera (PV) is considered a myeloproliferative neoplastic disease, a condition from a group of blood cancers in which the bone marrow produces too many blood cells, either Red, White or platelets. PV is one of the conditions not allowed for donations at Red Cross blood centers.

I’m really surprised that your hematologist would tell patients with a blood cancer to donate blood but be deceitful about it. The fact that your doctor even mentions ‘don’t tell anyone’ says it’s not the right nor ethical decision. Would you want to receive blood under these circumstances? This makes me cringe on several levels. And you trust this doctor with your life?

@nypara66, I have to agree with Lori. When donating blood, one should be honest about their health status and any health conditions they have.

@beebo, as someone who also abhors waste, it does seems a shame that blood removed during a phlebotomy visit must be discarded. Safety is paramount.

Most blood donation centers and organizations do not take blood from people with blood disorders. You can ask your hospital.

@nypara66 After my Systemic Lupus diagnosis in 1988, I was advised to not donate blood any longer. That was a sad time for me, as I also had just found out I was a match to be a bone marrow donor for someone in need. We decided it was in everyone's safety and best interest that my blood products not be considered. I would never want to knowingly donate an unsafe product, nor expose anyone to to less-than-perfect blood products!

In 2016 my husband received a deceased donor kidney. In the middle of 2017 his transplant team called him in a panic, as the other kidney recipient from the same donor had contracted Hepatitis C. Everyone was tested, and it was discovered the other kidney recipient had latent Hepatitis C. While they were relieved to find this out, the transplant team certainly had a scare, thinking their donor has passed something on to the recipients!
Ginger

I never even looked it up until now! I knew I could n’t donate due to my hepatitis exposure. I was told this at my first consultation before actually being diagnosed. Maybe he wanted me to have the phlebotomy immediately b/c my numbers were so high and didn’t want me to wait? I am aware that PV is considered a blood cancer because the production of extra cells. After any donation, the blood is examined and determined whether it can be donated. I’m definitely going discuss why I was told this.