Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFactos to ConsiderDonating Blood With DiabetesCan It Lowe Blood Sugar?Frequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Factos to Consider
Donating Blood With Diabetes
Can It Lowe Blood Sugar?
Frequently Asked Questions
People withdiabetescan donate blood if they meet certain eligibility requirements. In general, people with well-managed or controlled diabetes can donate blood. This includespeople with diabetes who take insulinor oral medications for diabetes management.This is true whether you have type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes.In this article, you’ll learn the factors contributing to whether or not someone with diabetes can donate blood. You’ll also learn more about how to prepare to donate blood when you have diabetes and what to expect after donating blood.Vladimir Vladimirov / Getty ImagesTypes of Diabetes MellitusDiabetes: Influencing Factors in Who Can Donate BloodDiabetes must be under control before donating blood. This means you’re able to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. This requires dailydiabetes management with lifestyle habitsthat include a range of nutritious foods, exercise, and stress management. For some people, it may also require taking certain diabetes medications.If you have questions about other medications, you may be taking for diabetes management or other health conditions and how these impact your eligibility to donate blood, you can ask your healthcare provider or the staff at the blood donation clinic. Many medications are acceptable.Gestational Diabetes and Donating BloodPeople with gestational diabetes cannot donate blood due to pregnancy. The American Red Cross recommends waiting six weeks after giving birth before donating blood.What Is Gestational Diabetes?Other factors that can influence eligibility for donating blood include:Current health status: People with flu or contagious illness should wait until 24 hours after their symptoms stop before donating blood. The definition of “current health status” may vary depending on the blood center.Minimum weight and age: You must be at least 110 pounds and 16 years or older to donate blood (age requirements are state-specific).Iron levels: Blood iron levels must be within a healthy range. This means people with iron-deficiency anemia cannot donate blood until their iron levels meet a healthy range again.Time between last blood donation: You’ll need to wait 56 days between each blood donation. Your healthcare provider may recommend waiting longer (i.e., four months) due to diabetes.Travel history: People who have traveled to a malaria-risk country in the past three months can’t donate blood, and people who have lived in a malaria-risk country disqualifies someone from donating blood for three years.What Are The Health Benefits of Iron Supplements?Donating Blood With DiabetesThere are things to keep in mind when donating blood if you have diabetes. You must consider how to prepare and recover.BeforeBefore donating blood when you have diabetes, there are a few ways to prepare to ensure a successful donation. Bear in mind you’ll need to share with the blood donation center that you have diabetes and whether or not you’re currently taking medication for diabetes. In addition, you may be asked a few additional questions about your health history.Here are the steps to take before donating blood when you have diabetes:Load up on iron-rich foods, including red meat, fish, poultry, beans, spinach, iron-fortified cereals, or raisins in the days (or weeks) leading up to your appointment.Continue maintaining a diabetes-friendly diet to help with blood sugar levels (i.e., limit fried foods, desserts, and soft drinks)Before your appointment, consume an extra 16 ounces of water or other non-alcoholic and non-caffeinated drink.Sleep well the night before(i.e., aim for eight hours).Make sure you have a list of medications and two pieces of personal identification, like a driver’s license.How to Improve Your Sleep HabitsAfterIt’s important toregularly check your blood sugarafter donating blood. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you feel unwell after donating blood or have difficulty managing blood sugar.Some tips for after-care include:Have a diabetes-friendly snack after donating blood.Keep the bandage on for a few hours to reduce the bruising risk.Avoid alcohol for the next 24 hours.Avoid heavy lifting or intense and strenuous exercise for the next 24 hours.Increase water intake for the next few days.How to Raise Blood Sugar QuicklyCan Donating Blood Lower Your A1C?Yes, whole blood donations can lower your A1C (blood sugar) levels for several weeks after donating blood. One 2017 study published suggested donating blood lowers A1C levels inpeople with type 2 diabetesand people living without diabetes.The researchers concluded that after donating blood, people with type 2 diabetes might be at risk of falsely lowered levels of HbA1c (A1c). This may lead to inaccurate interpretations of blood sugar control from their healthcare provider or diabetes specialist.To prevent misreadings or to ensure your healthcare provider has all the necessary context to understand your readings, be sure to mention to your healthcare providers when you plan to and if you’ve recently donated blood (i.e., within the last few months).What Is the A1C Test?SummaryPeople with type 1 or type 2 diabetes can donate blood as long as their diabetes is under control. Taking diabetes medications doesn’t usually interfere with a person’s blood donation eligibility. Donating blood when you have diabetes requires continuing to take good care of yourself and following general requirements for preparing before and after donating blood. Remember that donating blood has been shown to lower A1c levels, so always let your healthcare provider know the last time you donated blood.A Word From VerywellIf you’ve been having difficulty managing your diabetes, you’ll need to focus on this first. So while it’s admirable to want to give back to the community today, you may want to use the goal of donating blood to help you assess what’s missing from your current diabetes care plan. Speaking with your healthcare provider about the next steps is a great place to start.Frequently Asked QuestionsIf your diabetes is well-managed, but you have recently given blood, you may not want to give blood until your A1c levels are more accurate. This may take two to four months, according to one observational study.Learn MoreManaging and Preventing Complications of DiabetesYes, it’s safe for people with diabetes to get tattoos. However, this is only true if the diabetes is well-managed or controlled. Otherwise, above-average blood sugar levels can complicate your tattoo healing process and even increase the risk of infection.Learn MoreDiabetes and Tattoo SafetyAccording to one study, blood donation may temporarily benefit people with diabetes.After donating blood, improved insulin production and blood sugar tolerance was observed. Improvement was particularly noticeable three weeks after donating blood. However, more research is needed to determine how blood donation can benefit people with diabetes.Learn MoreHow to Prevent Blood Sugar Spikes
People withdiabetescan donate blood if they meet certain eligibility requirements. In general, people with well-managed or controlled diabetes can donate blood. This includespeople with diabetes who take insulinor oral medications for diabetes management.This is true whether you have type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes.
In this article, you’ll learn the factors contributing to whether or not someone with diabetes can donate blood. You’ll also learn more about how to prepare to donate blood when you have diabetes and what to expect after donating blood.
Vladimir Vladimirov / Getty Images
Types of Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes: Influencing Factors in Who Can Donate Blood
Diabetes must be under control before donating blood. This means you’re able to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. This requires dailydiabetes management with lifestyle habitsthat include a range of nutritious foods, exercise, and stress management. For some people, it may also require taking certain diabetes medications.
If you have questions about other medications, you may be taking for diabetes management or other health conditions and how these impact your eligibility to donate blood, you can ask your healthcare provider or the staff at the blood donation clinic. Many medications are acceptable.
Gestational Diabetes and Donating BloodPeople with gestational diabetes cannot donate blood due to pregnancy. The American Red Cross recommends waiting six weeks after giving birth before donating blood.
Gestational Diabetes and Donating Blood
People with gestational diabetes cannot donate blood due to pregnancy. The American Red Cross recommends waiting six weeks after giving birth before donating blood.
What Is Gestational Diabetes?
Other factors that can influence eligibility for donating blood include:
What Are The Health Benefits of Iron Supplements?
There are things to keep in mind when donating blood if you have diabetes. You must consider how to prepare and recover.
Before
Before donating blood when you have diabetes, there are a few ways to prepare to ensure a successful donation. Bear in mind you’ll need to share with the blood donation center that you have diabetes and whether or not you’re currently taking medication for diabetes. In addition, you may be asked a few additional questions about your health history.
Here are the steps to take before donating blood when you have diabetes:
How to Improve Your Sleep Habits
After
It’s important toregularly check your blood sugarafter donating blood. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you feel unwell after donating blood or have difficulty managing blood sugar.
Some tips for after-care include:
How to Raise Blood Sugar Quickly
Can Donating Blood Lower Your A1C?
Yes, whole blood donations can lower your A1C (blood sugar) levels for several weeks after donating blood. One 2017 study published suggested donating blood lowers A1C levels inpeople with type 2 diabetesand people living without diabetes.
The researchers concluded that after donating blood, people with type 2 diabetes might be at risk of falsely lowered levels of HbA1c (A1c). This may lead to inaccurate interpretations of blood sugar control from their healthcare provider or diabetes specialist.
To prevent misreadings or to ensure your healthcare provider has all the necessary context to understand your readings, be sure to mention to your healthcare providers when you plan to and if you’ve recently donated blood (i.e., within the last few months).
What Is the A1C Test?
Summary
People with type 1 or type 2 diabetes can donate blood as long as their diabetes is under control. Taking diabetes medications doesn’t usually interfere with a person’s blood donation eligibility. Donating blood when you have diabetes requires continuing to take good care of yourself and following general requirements for preparing before and after donating blood. Remember that donating blood has been shown to lower A1c levels, so always let your healthcare provider know the last time you donated blood.
A Word From Verywell
If you’ve been having difficulty managing your diabetes, you’ll need to focus on this first. So while it’s admirable to want to give back to the community today, you may want to use the goal of donating blood to help you assess what’s missing from your current diabetes care plan. Speaking with your healthcare provider about the next steps is a great place to start.
Frequently Asked QuestionsIf your diabetes is well-managed, but you have recently given blood, you may not want to give blood until your A1c levels are more accurate. This may take two to four months, according to one observational study.Learn MoreManaging and Preventing Complications of DiabetesYes, it’s safe for people with diabetes to get tattoos. However, this is only true if the diabetes is well-managed or controlled. Otherwise, above-average blood sugar levels can complicate your tattoo healing process and even increase the risk of infection.Learn MoreDiabetes and Tattoo SafetyAccording to one study, blood donation may temporarily benefit people with diabetes.After donating blood, improved insulin production and blood sugar tolerance was observed. Improvement was particularly noticeable three weeks after donating blood. However, more research is needed to determine how blood donation can benefit people with diabetes.Learn MoreHow to Prevent Blood Sugar Spikes
If your diabetes is well-managed, but you have recently given blood, you may not want to give blood until your A1c levels are more accurate. This may take two to four months, according to one observational study.Learn MoreManaging and Preventing Complications of Diabetes
If your diabetes is well-managed, but you have recently given blood, you may not want to give blood until your A1c levels are more accurate. This may take two to four months, according to one observational study.
Learn MoreManaging and Preventing Complications of Diabetes
Yes, it’s safe for people with diabetes to get tattoos. However, this is only true if the diabetes is well-managed or controlled. Otherwise, above-average blood sugar levels can complicate your tattoo healing process and even increase the risk of infection.Learn MoreDiabetes and Tattoo Safety
Yes, it’s safe for people with diabetes to get tattoos. However, this is only true if the diabetes is well-managed or controlled. Otherwise, above-average blood sugar levels can complicate your tattoo healing process and even increase the risk of infection.
Learn MoreDiabetes and Tattoo Safety
According to one study, blood donation may temporarily benefit people with diabetes.After donating blood, improved insulin production and blood sugar tolerance was observed. Improvement was particularly noticeable three weeks after donating blood. However, more research is needed to determine how blood donation can benefit people with diabetes.Learn MoreHow to Prevent Blood Sugar Spikes
According to one study, blood donation may temporarily benefit people with diabetes.After donating blood, improved insulin production and blood sugar tolerance was observed. Improvement was particularly noticeable three weeks after donating blood. However, more research is needed to determine how blood donation can benefit people with diabetes.
Learn MoreHow to Prevent Blood Sugar Spikes
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Red Cross.Eligibility criteria: alphabetical.America’s Blood Centers.Blood donation FAQs.OneBlood.Can I donate blood?American Red Cross.What donors should know about iron and blood donation.Dijkstra A, Lenters-Westra E, de Kort W, et al.Whole blood donation affects the interpretation of hemoglobin A1c.PloS One. 2017;12(1):e0170802. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0170802American Red Cross.Tips for a successful donation.American Red Cross.What to do before, during, and after your donation.Diabetes.co.uk.Tattoos and diabetes.Borai A, Livingstone C, Farzal A, et al.Changes in metabolic indices in response to whole blood donation in male subjects with normal glucose tolerance.Clinical Biochemistry Journal.2016;49(1-2):51-56. doi:10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2015.08.023
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Red Cross.Eligibility criteria: alphabetical.America’s Blood Centers.Blood donation FAQs.OneBlood.Can I donate blood?American Red Cross.What donors should know about iron and blood donation.Dijkstra A, Lenters-Westra E, de Kort W, et al.Whole blood donation affects the interpretation of hemoglobin A1c.PloS One. 2017;12(1):e0170802. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0170802American Red Cross.Tips for a successful donation.American Red Cross.What to do before, during, and after your donation.Diabetes.co.uk.Tattoos and diabetes.Borai A, Livingstone C, Farzal A, et al.Changes in metabolic indices in response to whole blood donation in male subjects with normal glucose tolerance.Clinical Biochemistry Journal.2016;49(1-2):51-56. doi:10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2015.08.023
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Red Cross.Eligibility criteria: alphabetical.America’s Blood Centers.Blood donation FAQs.OneBlood.Can I donate blood?American Red Cross.What donors should know about iron and blood donation.Dijkstra A, Lenters-Westra E, de Kort W, et al.Whole blood donation affects the interpretation of hemoglobin A1c.PloS One. 2017;12(1):e0170802. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0170802American Red Cross.Tips for a successful donation.American Red Cross.What to do before, during, and after your donation.Diabetes.co.uk.Tattoos and diabetes.Borai A, Livingstone C, Farzal A, et al.Changes in metabolic indices in response to whole blood donation in male subjects with normal glucose tolerance.Clinical Biochemistry Journal.2016;49(1-2):51-56. doi:10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2015.08.023
American Red Cross.Eligibility criteria: alphabetical.
America’s Blood Centers.Blood donation FAQs.
OneBlood.Can I donate blood?
American Red Cross.What donors should know about iron and blood donation.
Dijkstra A, Lenters-Westra E, de Kort W, et al.Whole blood donation affects the interpretation of hemoglobin A1c.PloS One. 2017;12(1):e0170802. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0170802
American Red Cross.Tips for a successful donation.
American Red Cross.What to do before, during, and after your donation.
Diabetes.co.uk.Tattoos and diabetes.
Borai A, Livingstone C, Farzal A, et al.Changes in metabolic indices in response to whole blood donation in male subjects with normal glucose tolerance.Clinical Biochemistry Journal.2016;49(1-2):51-56. doi:10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2015.08.023
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