| Obligatory | Must not donate if:
a) Sickle cell syndrome.
b) Thalassaemia syndrome.
c) Has a high affinity haemoglobin. |
| Discretionary | a) Donors with symptomless traits for abnormal haemoglobin, accept. Note, there is special guidance for donors with sickle trait.
b) Donors with thalassaemia trait, accept but advise they may fail the haemoglobin screening test. |
| See if Relevant | Anaemia
Polycythaemia and Raised Haemoglobin
Sickle Cell Trait
Transfusion |
| Additional Information | People with traits for abnormal haemoglobin and thalassaemia may be able to donate if they pass the haemoglobin screening test at the session and have no other problems associated with the trait.
Some individuals with thalassaemia trait have levels of haemoglobin lower than that required to pass the screening test required by the Blood Services. Although this is normal for them, they may never be able to donate.
Individuals with certain 'high affinity' haemoglobins develop polycythaemia because of the reduced oxygen carrying capacity of their blood. This would be detrimental to a recipient of their blood and donation may be harmful to the donor. For these reasons they should not be accepted. |
| Information | This is a requirement of the Blood Safety and Quality Regulations 2005. |
| Reason for change | The see if relevant section has been updated. |
| Donor Information | If you wish to obtain more information regarding a personal medical issue please contact your National Help Line.
Please do not contact this web site for personal medical queries, as we are not in a position to provide individual answers. |