JPAC Joint United Kingdom (UK) Blood Transfusion and Tissue Transplantation Services Professional Advisory Committee
  1. Home/
  2. Donor Selection Guidelines/
  3. Bone Marrow and Peripheral Blood Stem Cell/
  4. A-Z Search/
  5. Liver Disease/
  6. 1. Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

1. Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

Excludes

Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (AFLD)

Obligatory

Must not donate if diagnosed with:
•    Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
•    Cirrhosis

Discretionary

A diagnosis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease does not necessarily prevent donation. If the donor is otherwise well and managed with diet and lifestyle changes such as exercise, accept.

Additional Information

NAFLD is a common medical condition, caused mainly by lifestyle factors such as weight, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. There is no drug treatment for this condition. It is usually managed with diet and lifestyle changes along with treatment of any associated medical conditions. Regular monitoring of the condition, e.g. blood tests and liver scans, should not preclude donation.


NASH is an advanced form of NAFLD. It is caused by an excessive accumulation of fat in the liver. This can progress to chronic liver inflammation and can result in cirrhosis if untreated.