From the Guidelines
Patients with hemochromatosis can donate blood, as long as there is no medical contraindication and the patient has given consent, according to the EASL clinical practice guidelines for HFE hemochromatosis 1. The use of blood taken from patients with HFE-HC at phlebotomy for national blood transfusion services is recommended for the public good. Many patients with HFE-HC will have clinical features that exclude them from being accepted as donors, such as elevated liver function tests, diabetes, or medications. However, in the absence of these conditions, there appears to be no medical reason why the blood taken may not be used. Some key points to consider include:
- The blood is being taken for therapeutic reasons, which should not be a hindrance to its utilization in Europe, as stated in the guidelines 1.
- Patients should ensure their hemochromatosis is under medical supervision and they meet general blood donation criteria, such as adequate hemoglobin levels and no infections.
- The blood is generally considered safe for transfusion, as hemochromatosis is not transmissible through blood.
- Policies regarding blood donation from hemochromatosis patients may vary by location, so patients should inform the blood bank about their condition before donating.
From the Research
Eligibility of Hemochromatosis Patients as Blood Donors
- Patients with hemochromatosis can donate blood, as there is no convincing evidence to exclude this population from serving as blood donors 2.
- A study found that blood from hemochromatosis patients is safe and should be allowed into the donor pool, as the theoretical increase in infectious risk is not supported by clinical data 2.
- Some blood centers have inconsistent positions regarding the acceptance of blood donations from hemochromatosis patients, but many allow them to donate 3.
Safety Concerns and Precautions
- The main concerns regarding blood donations from hemochromatosis patients are the theoretical increase in infectious risk, particularly by siderophilic organisms, and the potential for nonvoluntary donors to harbor additional risk 2.
- However, clinical experience from centers allowing hemochromatosis donors has demonstrated that blood from these patients is safe 2.
- Regular monitoring of hemoglobin levels and serum ferritin is necessary to prevent sustained iron deficiency in hemochromatosis patients 4.
Facilitation of Blood Donation
- A pilot study found that facilitating the process of blood donation amongst uncomplicated hemochromatosis patients can increase the number of regular donors 5.
- The study established a dedicated clinic where patients with uncomplicated hemochromatosis could become blood donors, and 29 regular donors were recruited, including 23 new donors 5.
- Worldwide policies on hemochromatosis and blood donation vary, but many blood services accept individuals with genetic susceptibility for hemochromatosis and/or patients with hemochromatosis as blood donors 3.