Blood donor eligibility

[Doctor Q]

Yesterday the FDA changed the U.S. eligibility rules, as many had hoped they would:

This policy eliminates time-based deferrals and screening questions specific to men who have sex with men (MSM) and women who have sex with MSM. Under the final guidance issued today, all prospective blood donors will answer a series of individual, risk-based questions to determine eligibility.​

The policy of determining eligibility by classes of people, rather than by individual risks, has ended.

From the Center for Biologics Evaluation & Research director:

"The implementation of these recommendations will represent a significant milestone for the agency and the LGBTQI+ community."​

 

[pshufd]

Spending time in certain countries during certain time periods could have exposed you to infectious diseases that might, just might, increase the risk of a problem with your blood that wouldn't show up during normal blood screening.

I'd think that each of those dangers (like Mad Cow Disease, which peaked around 1992 in the U.K.) would fall off the cautionary list after a while, but I think the overly risk-averse nature of the blood donor screening rules keep them around much longer than necessary.

I've never been asked about eating cheese. That one's a surprise to me!

I was in England for a few weeks around 1984 and that's one of the exclusion questions. I had chemo a few years ago and that may also be an issue.

 

[Doctor Q]

FDA Donor Eligibility Recommendations

May 2023 guidelines

Under these FDA recommendations, people are permanently deferred (unable to donate) if:

• They have ever had a positive test result for HIV infection.
  
• They have ever taken any medication to treat an HIV infection.

Under these FDA recommendations, people are temporarily deferred for 2 years (unable to donate) when:

• They have taken injected medication to prevent HIV infection in the last 2 years.

Under these FDA recommendations, people are temporarily deferred for 3 months (unable to donate) when any of these apply within the last 3 months:

• They have taken oral medication to prevent HIV infection.
  
• They have had a new sexual partner AND have had anal sex.
  
• They have had more than one sexual partner AND have had anal sex.
  
• They have exchanged sex for money, drugs or other payment.
  
• They have injected non-prescription drugs.
  
• They have had sex with a person who has ever had a positive test for HIV infection.
  
• They have had sex with a person who has exchanged sex for money, drugs or other payment.
  
• They have had sex with an individual who has injected non-prescription drugs.
  
• They have received a whole blood transfusion.
  
• They have been in contact with someone else's blood such as through a needle stick or wound.
  
• They have gotten a tattoo or piercing that was not done by a state-regulated entity with single-use equipment, sterile needles, and non-reused ink.
  
• They have had syphilis or gonorrhea or been treated for either.

How this affects MSM

Although anal sex has been found to be a statistically significant risk factor, what's notable is that:

• Eligibility screenings are based on individual risk factors, not group assignments.
• Monogamous donors with an established partner are no longer asked if they have had anal sex.
• Only donors with a new sexual partner or multiple sexual partners are asked about anal sex.
• If any of the conditions above are true, but only over 3 months ago, then it does not result in a deferral.

Under these recommendations, most gay men and women are eligible blood donors and will have no trouble passing the screening test.

 

[M4th]

I used to donate as often as I was allowed (starting in the late 1980's), and never had an issue until maybe ten years or so ago. Up until then they were always happy to see me since my blood type is O negative and is also CMV negative.

Then for about five or six times in a row, I was kept being denied because my iron level was just below their approved amount.

I tried changing my diet with foods high in iron (although never did take a supplement in pill form) but it didn't help. So, I just gave up on the whole thing. I probably should give it one last chance, although pretty sure what the result will be.

 

[Doctor Q]

One estimate says that 1 out of 5 potential donors doesn't qualify, and a low iron level is one of the common reasons. So you have plenty of company.

That doesn't necessary mean that you are anemic, just that you don't have a high enough iron level to avoid stressing your body by donating blood. They are protecting you from that possibility.

Sometimes iron-rich food like eggs, spinach and chard, beans and peas, dates and raisins and apricots, iron-fortified cereal/bread/pasta, and shrimp and red meat provide enough iron to get you back in blood donation range. When they don't, donor centers say to consult your physician before considering taking iron supplements. Rather than doing that simply so you can donate blood, it's more likely that a physician will recommend supplements if your ferritin level is significantly low or you're exhibiting symptoms of low iron.