Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhy IBD Is a ConcernWhy Anemia Is a ConcernEligibility in the U.S.In Other Countries
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Why IBD Is a Concern
Why Anemia Is a Concern
Eligibility in the U.S.
In Other Countries
In some cases, a person with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) should not donate blood. The fact that you have IBD—which includesCrohn’s diseaseandulcerative colitis—does not exclude you from donating. However, when your bloodhemoglobin levelsare low, you would not be permitted to undergoblood donation.
Verywell / Michela Buttignol
Why IBD Is a Concern With Blood Donation
Hemoglobin (Hb) is the iron-rich protein in red blood cells that are tasked with carrying oxygen to tissues. For the purpose of blood donation, Hb also serves as the marker as to whether you have anemia.
Prior to any blood donation, a drop of blood will be taken from your finger to test your Hb levels. If Hb levels are too low, you would be asked to defer a donation until Hb values are normal.
Even after remission is achieved, anemia can sometimes persist due to the reduced absorption of iron in damaged intestinal tissues. In such cases,iron supplementsare prescribed to increase and normalize Hb levels.
When your healthcare provider confirms that IBD remission is sustained and that RBC and Hb levels are normalized, you may be able to safely donate blood.
Hemoglobin Values for Blood DonationAccording to the American Red Cross, the normal hemoglobin range for adult males is 13.5 to 17.5 g/dL, while the normal range for adult females is 12.0 to 15.5 g/dL.
Hemoglobin Values for Blood Donation
According to the American Red Cross, the normal hemoglobin range for adult males is 13.5 to 17.5 g/dL, while the normal range for adult females is 12.0 to 15.5 g/dL.
In the end, there is no way for the center to tell if a person’s anemia is transient or due to a chronic medical condition. Left untreated,anemia associated with a chronic illnesscan lead to potentially serious long-term complications like:
With IBD, persistent anemia is associated with worse outcomes. Not only are anemic people with IBD more vulnerable to complications—ranging from intestinalabscessesandfistulastoprimary sclerosing cholangitis(PSC)andpyoderma gangrenosum(PG)—but they are also at higher risk of hospitalization, prolonged hospitalization, and death.
Eligibility for Blood Donation
To determine if there are any other health factors that restrict you from donating, contact your healthcare provider or call the American Red Cross at (800) 733-2767.
Blood Donations in Other Countries
Guidelines for blood donation among people with IBD differ from country to country with some countries placing stricter restrictions than what is seen in the United States.
Australia
Canada
The Canadian Blood Services will not accept people who have Crohn’s disease as blood donors. Ulcerative colitis isn’t specifically listed as being an illness that prevents a person from giving blood. For more information, contact the Canadian Blood Services at 1-888-2-DONATE (1-888-236-6283).
New Zealand
People with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis will not be able to donate blood with the New Zealand Blood Service. To learn more, contact the New Zealand Blood Service at 0800-448-325 or email them at info@nzblood.co.nz.
United Kingdom
Restrictions for blood donations are stricter in the United Kingdom. Currently, people with ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are not eligible to give blood anywhere in the U.K. Contact the Donor Helpline at 0300-123-2323 for answers to specific questions.
Summary
People with inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, would be barred from donating blood if they have anemia. Anemia would be detected prior to donation when a hemoglobin (Hb) blood test is performed.
Having IBD does not disqualify you from donating blood, but you should be in good health and in a state of long-term remission before considering a donation.
10 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.
World Health Organization (WHO).5. donor medical history 1: non-communicable diseases. In:Blood Donor Selection: Guidelines on Assessing Donor Suitability for Blood Donation. Geneva (Switzerland): WHO; 2024.
Hsiao PY, Weng MT, Chang CH, et al.Anemia in inflammatory bowel disease course is associated with patients' worse outcome.J Formosan Med Assoc.2023;122(7):549-556. doi:10.1016/j.jfma.2022.11.004
American Red Cross.What donors should know about iron and blood donation.
Mahadea D, Adamczewska E, Ratajczak AE, et al.Iron deficiency anemia in inflammatory bowel diseases—a narrative review.Nutrients.2021 Nov 10;13(11):4008, doi:10.3390/nu13114008
MedlinePlus.Anemia of chronic disease.
Australian Red Cross Lifeblood.Frequently asked questions.
Canadian Blood Services.ABCs of eligibility for donating blood, platelets and plasma.
New Zealand Blood Service.Detailed eligibility criteria.
NHS Blood and Transplant.Eligibility.
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