Depending on your diagnosis, you may donate blood if you have an acute or chronic condition. However, some medications and conditions like blood cancers, HIV, and hepatitis B and C mean it may not be possible.
Medically reviewed by Cynthia Taylor Chavoustie, MPAS, PA-C
Blood donation is a simple way to help save lives. Many organizations heavily rely on donors to maintain enough blood supply for anyone who needs it.
While many people with chronic conditions are welcome to donate blood, there are some exceptions to ensure the safety of both donors and recipients.
Chronic conditions and blood donation
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According to the American Red Cross, some chronic conditions may mean you are not able to donate blood. Some conditions have a waiting time of 3–6 months or longer. In some cases, it is not possible to donate blood at all when living with chronic conditions.
Bleeding conditions
If you have a condition where your blood does not clot as usual, like hemophilia, you may not be able to donate blood. Excessive bleeding at the site of the needle is one of the risks.
Even if you don’t have a clotting-related condition, it may not be possible to donate blood if you take blood-thinning medications like:
It is also important to tell the blood bank if you’re taking supplements or over-the-counter drugs that may interfere with your blood-clotting process. For example, turmeric or aspirin.
Too high or low pulse or blood pressure
You may be asked not to donate if your pulse or blood pressure is outside a set range during your appointment.
Specifically, you may not donate blood if your:
blood pressure is above 180/100 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg)
blood pressure is below 90/50 mm Hg
pulse is higher than 100 beats per minute (bpm)
pulse is lower than 50 bpm — unless this is regular and approved by a donor location health professional
Too low weight
You may not donate blood if you weigh less than 110 pounds. Low weight can sometimes be due to chronic conditions, such as anorexia nervosa, unmanaged diabetes, or metabolic disorders that may lead to unwanted symptoms after you donate.
The total blood volume in your body depends on your weight, so if your weight is light, your blood volume is low. And, if your blood volume is low, a standard blood donation could affect your health, for example, by causing a drop in blood pressure.
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You are not eligible to donate blood if you have or ever had cancers of the blood, such as:
leukemia
lymphoma
Hodgkin’s disease
If you had successful treatment for another type of cancer more than 12 months ago, you may be able to donate. The wait period may be shorter after treatment of cancers like some skin cancers.
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD)
CJD is a rare but serious brain disease that might be transmittable through blood transfusions.
ever received a dura mater (brain covering) transplant
Hemoglobin irregularities
Hemoglobin helps red blood cells transport oxygen around your body.
If you have too little hemoglobin, donating blood could affect your health. There is a link between low hemoglobin and chronic conditions like iron deficiency anemia and kidney disease.
You will have your hemoglobin levels checked at your appointment. Specifically, you cannot donate blood if you:
are male and have less than 12.5 grams per deciliter (g/dL) hemoglobin
are female and have less than 13 g/dL hemoglobin
have more than 20 g/dL of hemoglobin
Hepatitis
Hepatitis has many causes, including obesity, gallstones, certain medications, and viruses.
Even if you have never experienced symptoms, you may not donate blood if you were ever diagnosed with hepatitis B or C. These conditions are due to viruses that may be transmitted, including through blood transfusions.
HIV or AIDS
HIV affects your immune system and may lead to AIDS. This may increase the risk of severe health conditions and infections.
Today, antiviral medications help people with HIV manage symptoms and transmissibility. Still, it is not possible to donate blood if you have HIV, even if you are living with no symptoms.
You also may not donate if you have AIDS or if you might have had exposure to HIV in the past 3 months.
Sickle cell disease
You may not donate blood if you have sickle cell disease, a common inheritable blood disorder that can cause issues like anemia, organ damage, and strokes.
Although it is not transmittable, people with sickle cell disease have an irregular type of hemoglobin in their blood that is not suitable for donations.
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It is not possible to donate blood if you are taking or have recently taken certain medications. For example:
benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) medications like finasteride (Proscar) or dutasteride (Avodart)
antiplatelet medications such as prasugrel (Effient) or ticagrelor (Brilinta)
hormone replacement therapy medications
etretinate (Tegison) — this is now discontinued, but you cannot donate blood if you have ever taken it
immunomodulatory agents like teriflunomide (Aubagio)
This is not an all-inclusive list. Let the blood donation center know if you have a chronic condition and have taken medication in the last few months. It is also important to list any medications you have taken over the previous 5 years.
If you need help covering the cost of medications, the free Optum Perks Discount Card could help you save up to 80% on prescription drugs. Follow the links on drug names for savings on that medication, or search for a specific drug here.
Locate and register with a blood drive or donation center.
The staff will ask questions about your health and complete simple tests to check eligibility.
You’ll be seated, and a healthcare professional will sterilize your arm and place the needle.
Lean back and relax. A whole blood donation typically takes 10 minutes or less. You can browse your phone, read a book, or simply take a rest.
Afterward, the staff will offer you snacks and drinks. You’re free to leave about 10–15 minutes later.
Before and after donating, getting plenty of sleep, hydration, and iron-rich foods is a good idea to help your body prepare for and recover from the donation. It is also best to avoid alcohol for a day or two before and after giving blood.
Vaccinations: There is a set amount of time to wait — generally 2–8 weeks — after certain vaccinations before you can donate.
Viral infections: You must be symptom-free from infections like the common cold or COVID-19 for at least 10 days before donating.
Medical procedures: People cannot donate blood 3 months after receiving a blood transfusion or organ transplant. You also need to wait 3 days after oral surgery.
Pregnancy: Donating blood while pregnant or within 6 weeks after giving birth is not possible.
Certain activities: You must wait 3 months after getting a tattoo from certain locations or using needles to inject drugs unless prescribed by your healthcare professional.
Some sexually transmitted diseases: There is a 3-month exclusion period after having treatment for syphilis or gonorrhea.
Summary
While many people with chronic conditions can donate blood, certain health conditions and medications may affect eligibility.
Contact the donation center team if you’re not sure whether you can donate. They can give tailored answers to your queries and help ensure a safe and successful blood donation experience.
Laron Z. (2018). The era of cadaveric pituitary extracted human growth hormone (1958–1985): Biological and clinical aspects. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30378778/
