Can you donate blood if you have low haemoglobin or low blood count?

Dr Vishwas Madhav Thakur answers this query.

A haemoglobin and hematocrit reading, which is lower than the required level does not indicate that the donor has any serious health issues. Also, some donors naturally have lower levels, which causes them no harm. However, it may prevent them from being eligible blood donors. According to Dr Vishwas Madhav Thakur, General Physician on Lybrate, those donors who are slightly anaemic due to iron deficiency can increase their iron intake and thereby boost their haemoglobin and hematocrit level. Men whose haemoglobin levels are below 12.5 g/dL and women who have levels below 12g/dL are not allowed to donate blood.

Seriously or abnormally low hemoglobin, also called anemia, can develop when a person faces inability to develop enough amount of red blood cells or loses blood from the body. The most common cause of low haemoglobin, especially in women, is low levels of iron because iron is needed to make hemoglobin. Blood donation further leads to removal of iron from the body, which may cause or contribute to low iron levels and possibly anemia. For someone who has haemoglobin or blood count problem, it is important to take a multivitamin with iron or an iron-only supplement to replace the iron lost through blood and platelet donations after consultation with your doctor or practitioner. Read more about 10 things to keep in mind before and after blood donation

Even though anyone with low haemoglobin is not allowed to donate blood, in rare cases if they do, they may experience symptoms like weakness, tiredness, and fatigue due to the low blood count. Patients are often encouraged to eat a well-balanced diet that is high in Vitamin C and iron rich. If a low haemoglobin patient is not allowed to donate blood today, it does not mean that the patient can never donate blood.

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