Adrenal Failure

Addison's Disease

Must not donate.

Adrenal failure is due to the adrenal glands producing insufficient steroid hormones to maintain health. There are many causes, including autoimmune disease, infection, and congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Affected individuals take replacement steroid hormones. The dose of these must be increased during times of stress.

BM donors are deferred, because of the increased risk of a general anaesthetic.

PBSC donation could pose a risk to a donor, as the stress of donation could cause an increase in their cortisol requirements and fluid shifts during apheresis may not be well tolerated.

There is also a possibility of transmission of autoimmune adrenal failure to the recipient.

Changed PBSC donation from discretionary to obligatory ‘must not donate,’ as with bone marrow donors. ‘Additional information’ added.