Eligibility: hemoglobin and iron
When people donate blood, their body’s iron levels also decrease. Eventually, low iron levels may lead to low hemoglobin/blood count.
Most people have enough iron and hemoglobin levels to donate. You’ll find out what your exact levels are when you go to donate.
People with anemia, as well as those who do not meet the hemoglobin thresholds, are not eligible to donate.
Anemia
Anemia is a term used to describe a low level of hemoglobin (or healthy red blood cells). There are many causes of anemia.
These may include iron deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, altered function of vital organs, various types of cancers, etc.
As blood donation leads to removal of red cells, it can worsen anemia. As such, people with anemia, as well as those who do not meet the hemoglobin thresholds, are not able to donate.
Hemochromatosis
Hereditary hemochromatosis is a common genetic disorder causing the body to store too much iron. If you’re looking for more information about hemochromatosis, click here.
Individuals with hemochromatosis are eligible to donate blood provided they meet all other Canadian Blood Services donation criteria.
For those who are donating blood and also having blood removed (phlebotomy) at a medical facility, there must be a minimum of seven (7) days between the two procedures.
Hemoglobin
Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. Blood donation, which removes red blood cells, also removes hemoglobin. As a result, frequent blood donors can develop low hemoglobin levels or anemia.
To ensure donors have sufficient hemoglobin levels after donation a minimum hemoglobin level is required before each donation. Hemoglobin level is tested using a fingerpick test.
For whole blood, donors registered as male must have a hemoglobin level of at least 130 g/L and donors registered as females must have a hemoglobin level of at least 125 g/L.
For plasma and platelet donations, the hemoglobin level must be at least 125 g/L for both males and females.
Iron
When people donate blood, their body’s iron levels also decrease which may cause anemia. People with anemia, as well as those who do not meet the hemoglobin thresholds, are not able to donate.
Iron deficiency is common. Those who donate regularly or have heavier menstrual blood losses, recent pregnancy, or a meat-free diet are most likely to develop iron deficiency.
One laboratory test used to determine iron levels is called ferritin. A low ferritin result is a reliable indicator of iron deficiency.
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