[Anonymous]

#1128106

Evening all!

This is by no means the way things are but while I was at college I was most defeinetly hyper and was on the usual duet of drugs… ATD and Beta Blockers. I went to give blood and was turned away. If this was because they simply cant use it (which to me seems logical) or if they were simply erring on the side of caution who knows but thats by experience with blood donation and GD

Take care my friends

Andy

[Anonymous]

#1128107

We’ve had this question before, and I believe the answer was “it depends”. It depends upon what drugs, if any, you are taking. Antithyroid drugs, beta blockers, prednisone, etc., would eliminate you from being able to donate blood. If you are on the synthetic thyroid hormone drugs, however, I believe that you CAN donate blood. I checked with my local Red Cross, and they did not have the thyroid hormone replacement drugs on any list of proscribed drugs. That is probably because the replacement hormones are chemically identical to our own, natural hormones, that are a normal part of the blood. Antibody typing is not part of blood donation, so I don’t think they factor into the decision, either. But levels of certain drugs that might adversely affect a sick or injured person (the one receiving the blood) will prevent you from being a donor.

Bobbi — NGDF Asst. Online Facilitator

[Anonymous]

#1039617

With those Graves’ antibodies running around in our blood, does anyone know if there’s any problem with donating blood or organs?

Just wondering,
Melinda

[Anonymous]

#1128108

I’ve been told that I can donate blood and organs without a problem. It’s not like a blood disease that can be transferred. However, before you donate blood let the red cross (or whoever you donate to) know what meds you are on. When I was on Enderal I was told that I couldn’t donate. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

#1128109

Hi –
When I was first put on Tap and propranolol, I called the Red Cross in my area (New England), and they said it was fine if I gave blood. After I had RAI, I asked again, and they said to wait eight weeks before donating. Perhaps there are different standards in different parts of the country. The main thing is that you are feeling well on the day of donation.

JillG

[Anonymous]

#1128110

Melinda,
Recently I received a phone call from our local Red Cross, they needed my blood, type O-negative told them I would be right over. When I got there and they were reviewing my history I told them about the Graves and the meds…they wouldn’t take my blood after that She said she didn’t know much about GD, but people with thyroid disorder couldn’t donate…she wasn’t sure why.
It could be different in different states so check where you are. I am in NY state and they have put up some stringent guidelines on what is now acceptable.
Jody

[Anonymous]

#1128111

People with GD, there’s nothing wrong with their blood. It’s the medication that they are taking. Donating blood is a sensitive issue. There are severe laws to protect us.

[Anonymous]

#1128112

I am a Certified Tissue Bank Specialist, and although many diseases of unknown origin preclude donation, since Graves is not “life threatening” and considered to be treatable, most donation programs accept Graves patients. I work in a skin bank, and it is not considered a problem for us. Honestly, I might argue that it is not worth risking Graves for any reason, (I haven’t found it to be easily treatable!) but there has never been a documented case of anyone contracting it from donated tissue. Then again, I don’t think anyone has ever looked at that. As others have mentioned, each program has its own standards, but Graves is not a universally accepted preclusion.

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