Today I was able to donate blood for the first time ever in my life. I have tried before, but my hematocrit was too low. Having Celiac Disease can prevent your body from properly absorbing nutrients, so I wasn’t surprised when I was turned away a couple of years back. Now that I have been on the gluten-free diet for just over 4 years, I decided to give it a try again. I make sure that my diet is well rounded, concentrating on foods that are higher in iron, like dark leafy greens & lean ground beef. I also take supplements that include iron. When they screened me today, my hemoglobin, while in the normal range, was too low to donate at 12.1. They had another tech come back to get another sample & I passed, but just barely. My hemoglobin was 12.6 and it has to be 12.5 to donate. Phew!
The whole process, registering and all, took less than 1 hour. The actual time I was hooked up was 15 minutes or less. I was really surprised how quick it was. When I was done donating, I was shown to an area with tables & snacks. Of course the snacks were mostly cookies & crackers, but once I mentioned that I had to follow a gluten-free diet, the gentleman that was working opened up a drawer filled with gluten-free options! I had never expected that they would have food set aside that was specifically gluten-free. They had Fritos, Lay’s Potato Chips & peanuts. I liked that all 3 were also dairy-free. I am not sure if all Red Cross locations have gluten-free snacks available, so you may want to carry your own, just in case. I usually have a Lara bar or Pure bar in my purse at all times.
I was asked today on Twitter if there are there any special requirements for those with Celiac Disease wanting to give blood? The answer to that question is “no”. The requirements for donating blood if you have Celiac Disease are the same as they are for those without Celiac Disease. You can view more about the requirements here. What happens if you are not eligible for some reason? Most deferrals are temporary – you can read more about them here.
There is always a need for blood. So if you have been thinking about it, just get out there & do it. The donor centers have flexible hours that can work with most schedules. You could even go on your lunch hour. You can make appointments online at the Red Cross or by calling 1-800-GIVE-LIFE. 1 pint of blood can save up to 3 lives!
You’re absolutely right that those who are celiac/gluten intolerant can give blood BUT please check with your doctor. I am 6 years gluten free, but am still not cleared by my doctor to give blood.
Shirley
I’ve been a blood donor 2 years already and it really makes me feel proud because I know someone lives are save. As we all know, blood banks shortages kills tons of people and every 2 seconds someone in the United states needs blood.
This is will be time to make a difference and help each other. You can visit http://bloodbanker.com/ they have all the information on how to be a blood donor and a directory of all the Blood Bank in the United States.
Yes, Shirley, you are right. My doctor cleared me as long as the numbers are there.
Ashley, good for you. 🙂
Kim
When I tried to give blood I was informed that as a Celiac I could not. I mentioned off hand that I was a Celiac when I was told about the cookies and snacks available after I had been refused because of some traveling I had done. The interviewer treated my like a leaper and proceeded to yell at me in public over it. She acted like I had purposely withheld information. I had not. I had answered all the questions truthfully. Celiac disease was never asked. The only questions they asked that could even be remotely related to Celiac disease were if I was feeling healthy (I was) and if I had been in the care of a doctor in the last six months (I had not). It was one of the most horrible experiences of my life
There is no physical reason why I could not have given blood. I am in excellent health and my iron level was high. But, according to their rules, I can not donate unless I have been 100% symptom free for 12 months.
This was in Canada so I’m not sure if the rules there are different
I donated blood today. The screening did not ask about celiac disease at all (I’m in the USA) and my hemoglobin clocked in at 14.1 (yay me!), so I was able to donate this time. I’ve been GF for just over 2 years. I’m really surprised they turned you away in Canada. I wonder if she thought you had some other blood borne disease?
Jamie,
I am in the US, not Canada.
Kim