Can individuals with diabetes (diabetes mellitus) donate blood?

Blood Donation Eligibility for Individuals with Diabetes

Individuals with diabetes mellitus, particularly type 1 diabetes, should not donate blood due to the absolute contraindication established in blood donation guidelines. 1

Diabetes Status and Blood Donation Eligibility

Type 1 Diabetes

• Absolute contraindication to blood donation 1
• Individuals with type 1 diabetes are not eligible to donate blood under any circumstances

Type 2 Diabetes

• Generally considered a contraindication to blood donation 1
• The American Journal of Kidney Diseases guidelines clearly state that "known diabetes mellitus" is an absolute contraindication to donation 1
• While some guidelines may consider well-controlled type 2 diabetes for kidney donation in specific circumstances, this does not extend to blood donation 1

Diagnostic Criteria That Disqualify Blood Donation

Blood donation is contraindicated in individuals with:

• Known diabetes mellitus (both type 1 and type 2) 1
• Fasting plasma glucose ≥126 mg/dL (7.0 mmol/L) on 2 or more occasions 1
• Plasma glucose ≥200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) 2 hours after 75-g oral glucose challenge on 2 or more occasions 1

Prediabetes and Blood Donation

Individuals with prediabetes may also face restrictions:

• Those with impaired fasting glucose (110-125 mg/dL) have relative contraindications 1
• Those with impaired glucose tolerance (2-hour plasma glucose values between 140-199 mg/dL) have relative contraindications 1
• Donation is not recommended for individuals with:
  • Mild/borderline impaired glucose tolerance with additional risk factors (family history of type 2 diabetes, obesity, history of gestational diabetes, dyslipidemia) 1
  • Blood glucose levels in the high range of impaired fasting glucose (110-125 mg/dL) due to greater tendency for deterioration 1

Rationale for Restrictions

The restrictions on blood donation for diabetics are based on several factors:

• Protection of donor health: The stress of blood donation could potentially worsen glycemic control
• Concern for recipient safety: Potential metabolic abnormalities in donated blood
• Risk of complications: Diabetics may have underlying vascular complications that make donation riskier
• Medication considerations: Some diabetes medications may affect blood quality or pose risks to recipients

Common Pitfalls in Assessment

• Failing to properly screen for undiagnosed diabetes before accepting blood donations
• Confusing kidney donation guidelines with blood donation guidelines (they have different risk profiles)
• Not recognizing that even well-controlled diabetes on medication is still considered a contraindication for blood donation
• Overlooking prediabetes, which may also restrict donation eligibility depending on severity and additional risk factors

While some blood collection centers may have slightly different policies, the medical consensus based on the most authoritative guidelines indicates that diabetes mellitus, particularly type 1 diabetes, is an absolute contraindication to blood donation.