Can I give blood

Are you eligible to give blood?

The questions we ask donors change regularly, so even if you’re a regular donor it’s worth checking.

Question 1 of 17

Are you aged between 17 and 65?

Unfortunately, you can only become a new blood donor between your 17th and 66th birthdays.

If you're aged 16, we'd love to take your details. If you're a regular donor aged 66 or over, please keep giving. Please look at the 'Age and weight' section for more detail.

Find out more Aged 16? Sign up to give blood Update your blood donor record

Question 2 of 17

Do you weigh 7st 12lb (50 kg) or more?

Unfortunately, you're not eligible to give blood if you weigh less than 7st 12lb (50 kg)

Additional height and weight criteria apply to girls aged 17-19. Please read our age and weight criteria for more information.

Age and weight criteria Contact us Update your blood donor record

Question 3 of 17

Have you had the Covid-19 vaccine within the last 48 hours?

If you've had the vaccine as part of the UK vaccination programme, you'll need to wait 48hrs until you can give blood.

You must also be recovered from any reaction to the vaccine.

Find out more Read Covid-19: Advice for donors

Question 4 of 17

Are you waiting for medical test results?

Unfortunately, you won't be eligible to give blood until you've received your test results.

If you think your results could affect your eligibility to give blood, please get in touch.

Find out more Get in touch Update your blood donor record

Question 5 of 17

Have you visited a malarial area in the last year?

Unfortunately, you'll have to wait 12 months before you can give blood.

Find out more Sign up to give blood Update your blood donor record

Question 6 of 17

Have you had cancer, heart disease or a stroke?

Unfortunately, you're not eligible to give blood.

Many thanks for your support. If you'd like more information, please get in touch.

Find out more Get in touch Update your blood donor record

Question 7 of 17

Have you been pregnant in the last six months, or are you currently pregnant?

You are not able to donate right now. Find out more about when you will be eligible again below.

Many thanks for your support. If you'd like more information, please get in touch.

Find out more Sign up to give blood Update your blood donor record

Question 8 of 17

Had a tattoo or piercing in the last four months?

You'll need to wait four months after a tattoo or piercing before you can give blood.

Find out more Sign up to give blood Update your blood donor record

Question 9 of 17

Have you had an endoscopy or colonoscopy in the last four months?

You'll need to wait four months after your investigation before you can give blood.

Find out more Sign up to give blood Update your blood donor record

Question 10 of 17

Have you received a blood transfusion since 1st January 1980?

Unfortunately, you're not eligible to give blood if you have received (or think you might have received) a blood transfusion since 1980.

Find out more Get in touch Update your blood donor record

Question 11 of 17

Have you ever injected (or been injected with) non-prescription drugs?

Unfortunately, you're not eligible to give blood.

Many thanks for your support. If you'd like more information, please get in touch.

Injections Contact us Update your blood donor record

Question 12 of 17

Have you ever been diagnosed with or treated for Syphilis, HIV, HTLV, Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C?

Unfortunately, you're not eligible to give blood.

Many thanks for your support. If you'd like more information, please get in touch.

Sexual relations Contact us Update your blood donor record

Question 13 of 17

Have you been diagnosed with and/or treated for any other sexually transmitted diseases within the last three months?

Unfortunately, you're not eligible to give blood at this time.

You should be able to give blood in three months, after you've been treated and have fully recovered.

Sexual relations Contact us Update your blood donor record

Question 14 of 17

Have you taken PEP or PrEP to reduce your risk of contracting HIV over the last three months?

You'll need to wait three months after taking PEP or PrEP before you can give blood.

Sexual relations Contact us Update your blood donor record

Question 15 of 17

Have you had chemsex over the last three months?

You'll need to wait three months after having chemsex before you can give blood.

Sexual relations Contact us Update your blood donor record

Question 16 of 17

Have you started (or restarted) a new sexual relationship, or had more than one sexual partner in the last three months?

Good news! It doesn't look like any of our new eligibility criteria will affect your ability to give blood.

Sign up as a blood donor below - or, if you're aleady registered, make an appointment by logging into your online donor account.

Question 17 of 17

Have you had anal sex with your new partner, with or without a condom?

You'll need to wait three months after having anal sex with a new partner / sex with more than one partner including anal sex with at least one partner before you can give blood.

Sexual relations Contact us Update your blood donor record

Brilliant! It looks like you should be able to give blood.

Additional eligibility criteria apply

Book in to give blood

Find out more

We really want you to be able to give blood. Have a look at the information below to find out if you might be eligible.

General health
You should be in good health to give blood. However, there are a few things to consider.

Covid-19

Please see Covid-19 eligibility criteria, or our Covid-19: Advice for donors live article

Cold sores

You can give blood once the cold sore is dry and healing (scabbed over), as long as there are no wet areas and you don’t have any tingling.

Coughs, colds, sore throats

You can give blood once you're getting better and feeling well.

Hay fever and similar allergies

You can give blood provided you have no symptoms, even if you're taking antihistamines.

Infectious diseases: Mumps, measles, chickenpox, shingles or German measles

If you've had mumps, measles, chickenpox, shingles or German measles, you can give blood provided you've been fully recovered for two weeks or more.

If you have had slapped cheek syndrome (Human Parvovirus B19) you can give blood provided you've been fully recovered for four weeks or more.

If you have been in contact with someone with an infectious disease and have never had the disease yourself, you must wait four weeks before giving blood.

Other infections

If you've had some kind of infection, please wait two weeks from recovery and at least seven days from completing your course of antibiotics.

Sickness, diarrhoea

You can give blood provided you have been fully recovered for two weeks or more.

Broken bones

You can give blood once your plaster cast has been removed and any wounds have healed.

High blood pressure, high cholesterol

You can give blood while being treated for high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels.

If your blood pressure medication changes, you will have to wait at least four weeks before giving blood.

Currently a blood donor? Let us know if these criteria affect you
Travel
Destinations that DO NOT delay blood donation

Travel outside the UK can affect blood donation. This is because some infections may be caught abroad, usually through mosquito, or other insect, bites.

Malaria

You can usually give blood 12 months after visiting a malarial area. However, each malarial area has its own rules depending on when and where you visited, and for how long.

If you think your travel history could affect your ability to donate, we urge you to get in contact before your session, either online or by phoning us on 0345 90 90 999 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm)

If you have VISITED a malarial area:

You must be back in the UK from a malarial area for four months before you can have a MAT (Malaria Antigen Test).

You will not be able to give a donation that day - SNBTS staff will only take a sample of your blood to test.

If you don’t want to give a sample, you need to wait twelve months before giving blood.

If you have LIVED IN a malarial area for six months or more:

Different rules apply for different countries, due to changing patterns in the distribution of malaria over time

You will have to wait at least four months to donate after you were last in a malarial area.

You will not be able to give a donation that day - SNBTS staff will only take a sample of your blood to test.

If this test is clear you can come back to give blood as normal.

If you have had malaria:

Wait at least three years after treatment and recovery from malaria (and at least four months after being in a malarial area)

You will not be able to give a donation that day - SNBTS staff will only take a sample of your blood to test.

If this test is clear you can come back to give blood as normal.

If you travel again to a malarial area we will have to repeat the test. This is because you may have some immunity to malaria and may not show typical malaria symptoms if infected.

If you have ever had an undiagnosed illness during or after travel which could have been malaria:

Wait at least four months after you were last in a malarial area.

You will not be able to give a donation that day - SNBTS staff will only take a sample of your blood to test.

If this test is clear you can come back to give blood as normal.

If you travel again to a malarial area you can give blood after 12 months, without a repeat malaria test. If you want to donate sooner, you can give samples four months after your travel.

West Nile Virus (WNV)

You can give blood following travel to a WNV area (including North America and some parts of Europe). We decide when you come along if we need to do an extra test for WNV on your donation. So please make sure you tell us about any recent travel outside the UK, each time you give blood.

Tropical Viruses

Several viruses are spread by mosquitoes, including Dengue Fever, Chikungunya, Yellow Fever and Zika. As long as you have been well, you can give blood four weeks after travel to an affected area. If you have been ill during or shortly after your visit, we'll ask you to wait six months before giving blood.

South American Trypanosomiasis (Chagas Disease)

Chagas disease is found in some areas of South and Central America. People who are at risk of Chagas can give blood in Scotland provided we’ve done an extra test to check they haven’t been exposed to this condition

If you or your mother were born in South or Central America, or if you have ever lived in this region for more than four weeks, please contact us on 0345 90 90 999 for advice about whether you can give blood in Scotland.

Outbreaks and new infections

New infections can emerge at any time, so our rules can change at short notice. Please check back each time you're preparing to give blood.
Currently a blood donor? Let us know if these criteria affect you
Destinations that DO NOT delay blood donation

Every time you come to give blood we will ask you: whether you were born abroad; whether you have lived or worked abroad for more than six months; and whether you have had any illnesses during or after travel abroad. It is very important you tell us about your recent travel, if you were ill while abroad, or shortly after you came back. Different rules may apply if you have lived in one of these countries for more than six months. Please get in touch before coming along to give blood. You should also check our additional eligibility criteria before giving blood. Talk to one of our advisers before coming along to give blood, on 0345 90 90 999.

A

Alaska

Albania

Andorra

Antarctica

Armenia

Ashmore and Cartier Islands

Australia (except north of Alice Springs)

Austria

Azores

B

Bahrain

Baker Island

Balearic Islands

Belarus

Belgium

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Bouvet Island

Bulgaria

C

Canada

Canary Islands

Christmas Islands

Clipperton Island

Cocos (Keeling Islands)

Corfu

Corsica

Crete

Croatia

Cyprus

Czech Republic

D

Denmark

Diego Garcia

E

Estonia

F

Falkland Islands

Faroe Islands

Finland

French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Fuerteventura

G

Gaza Strip

Germany

Gibraltar

Glorioso Islands

Golan Heights

Gran Canaria

Greece and the Greek Islands

Greenland

Guam

Guernsey

H

Heard and McDonald Islands

Holland

Hong Kong

Howland Island

Hungary

I

Ibiza

Iceland

Ireland

Isle of Man

Israel

J

Jan Mayen

Japan

Jarvis Island

Jersey

Johnston Atoll

Jordan

K

Kazakhstan

Kingman Reef

Kosovo

Kuwait

L

Lanzarote

Latvia

Lebanon

Lesotho

Libya

Liechtenstein

Lithuania

Luxembourg

M

Macedonia (Greek)

Majorca

Malta

Midway Islands

Minorca

Moldova

Mongolia

Montenegro

Morocco

N

Navassa Island

Netherlands

New Zealand

Norfolk Island

North Macedonia

Norway

P

Palestine Occupied Territories

Palma

Palmyra Atoll

Paracel Islands

Pitcairn Island

Poland

Portugal

Q

Qatar

R

Rhodes

Romania

Russia

S

Saint Helena

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

San Marino

Serbia

Sicily

Slovakia

Slovenia

South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands

Spain

Spratly Island

Svalbard

Sweden

Switzerland

T

Tenerife

Tromelin Island

Tunisia

Turkmenistan

Tuvalu

U

Ukraine

United Kingdom

USA (mainland)

Uzbekistan

W

Wake Atoll

West Bank
Sexual relations
You must not donate if you think you need a test for HIV/AIDS, HTLV or Hepatitis.

You must not donate for at least three months after:

taking part in chemsex (Chemsex is a specific type of sexual activity where people take certain stimulant drugs to let them have sex for longer and with more people. Drugs associated with chemsex include methamphetamine, mephedrone and GHB)
receiving money or drugs for sex

having sex with a partner who is, or you think may be:

HIV or HTLV positive

a Hepatitis B carrier

a Hepatitis C carrier

taking Pre or Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP and PrEP/Truvada®) to prevent HIV infection. Different rules may apply depending on the reason you took this so please ask.
having sex with a partner who:

has ever received money or drugs for sex

has ever injected, or been injected with, drugs - even a long time ago or only once. This applies to any illicit injected drug, including body-building drugs, chemsex drugs and tanning agents.

If you answer 'yes' to any of these questions, you will not be eligible to give blood for up to three months.

You will also be asked whether over the last three months you have:

had sex with someone new, or resumed a previous or infrequent sexual relationship

had sex with more than one person

If you answer 'yes' to either (or both) questions, you will then be asked if you had anal sex with any of your sexual partners

If you have, you will not be able to donate for up to three months

If you have not had anal sex, you will be able to donate (subject to all other eligibility criteria)

You must never give blood if:

you are HIV positive or receiving treatment for HIV

you are HTLV positive

you are a Hepatitis B carrier

you are a Hepatitis C carrier

you have ever been treated for Syphilis

you have ever injected, or been injected with, drugs; even a long time ago or only once. This applies to any illicit injected drug, including body-building drugs, chemsex drugs and tanning agents.

you have ever had sex with someone who has previously had a viral haemorrhagic fever (eg Ebola, Marburg, Lassa, or Crimean-Congo fever)

If you would like to discuss any of the above, do not hesitate to get in touch on 0345 90 90 999
For more information, read:

If these issues affect you, please visit the Our Partners section of our site for contact details of organisations that may be able to help.

For more information, read:

FAIR: New questions for donors

FAIR Report

FAIR Report (Executive summary)
Waiting for medical test results
Routine screening tests

You can give blood after a routine screening test (eg. cholesterol screening, smear, mammogram), even if you're still waiting for your results

Endoscopy, colonoscopy

You will have to wait four months after any test involving a flexible scope, even if your results are clear.

Other tests or investigations

You are unable to give blood until you have received your test results from your doctor or nurse.

This includes if you have been required to take a Covid-19 test and haven't had your result yet

If you think your test results could affect your eligibility to give blood, please get in touch on 0345 90 90 999
Currently a blood donor? Let us know if these criteria affect you
Frequency

You must wait at least 12 weeks between donations. If you’re not sure how long it's been since you last gave blood, call us during working hours on 0345 90 90 999, or fill in our online enquiry form and someone will get back to you.
Medications
Providing you're fit and well, you may be able to give blood while taking regular medication. However, there are some exceptions:

Antibiotics

Please wait two weeks from recovery and at least seven days after completing a course of antibiotics before giving blood.

If you are taking antibiotics for your skin, you may still be able to give blood.

Flu vaccine

You can give blood provided you are feeling well and have had no adverse side effects to the vaccination.

Shingles vaccine

Whether you can donate depends on the brand of vaccine you have had. If you have had Shingrix®, you can donate immediately. This may not be the case with other brands.

Please make sure you know the name of the vaccine before you come to session.

High blood pressure medication

You can give blood while taking high blood pressure medication.

If your blood pressure medication changes, you'll have to wait at least four weeks before giving blood.

Antihistamines

You can give blood provided you are symptom free on the day.

Contraceptives

You can give blood while using oral or other contraceptive measures.

Painkillers

You can usually give blood after taking painkillers.

Please make sure you tell us about them, as they may affect how we use your donation.

Iron supplements

You are unable to give blood if you have been advised to take iron supplements by your doctor or nurse.

Specific medications

You will be unable to give blood while taking the following medications, and for a variable length of time afterwards:

Finasteride (Proscar®, Propecia®)

Dutasteride (Avodart®, Acitretin®, Neotigason®)

Isotretinoin (Roaccutane®)

Valproate (Epilim®, Epival®, Episenta®, Convulex® or Depakote®)

Topiramate (Topamax®)

Anti-thyroid drugs (e.g. Carbimazole)

Modafinil (Provigil®)

Drugs which suppress the immune system (e.g. Prednisolone)

Pre and Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP and PrEP /Truvada®) for HIV prevention (see sexual relations for more information)

Currently a blood donor? Let us know if these criteria affect you
Tattoo / piercing
Tattoos, piercings

If you've had a tattoo or piercing, you'll have to wait for four months before giving blood.

This is because some blood-borne viruses, such as Hepatitis B, can be spread by unsterile needles.

Permanent and semi-permanent make-up

If you've had permanent or semi permanent make-up done, you'll have to wait for four months before giving blood.

Currently a blood donor? Let us know if these criteria affect you
Pregnancy
Pregnant

You are unable to give blood if you are pregnant.

Recent pregnancy

You can give blood six months after giving birth.

This gives you time to replace the iron normally lost during pregnancy.

Breastfeeding

You can give blood if you are breastfeeding.

Miscarriage or termination

If you have had a miscarriage or termination before 12 weeks you may be eligible to give blood. Please get in touch with us to discuss.

Currently a blood donor? Let us know if these criteria affect you
Dentistry
Please note the following regarding dentistry:

If you've had a scale and polish, and/or fillings, you can give blood after 24 hours.

If you've had root canal treatment, dental capping (crown), dental implants, tooth extraction, you can give blood after seven days, provided you have no pain or infection and all wounds are healed.

If you have had dental work abroad, you will need to wait three months from completion before you can give blood

For more complicated dental procedures, you may need to wait longer before giving blood.

You should not give blood if you have pain or toothache which could be caused by an infection or dental abscess.

Currently a blood donor? Let us know if these criteria affect you
Blood transfusion
If you have received, or think you may have received, a blood transfusion since 1st January 1980, you will not be able to give blood. This measure was introduced in 2004 by the UK Blood Transfusion Services.

This is just one of a range of measures designed to minimise the risk of passing variant Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease (vCJD) through the population.

The chance of any individual contracting vCJD from a blood transfusion is already very small. Experts hope that these additional safety measures will help eradicate vCJD from the UK population.

You can still give blood if you received a blood transfusion in the UK before 1980.

If you had a transfusion before 1996 and have not been tested for hepatitis C, speak to your GP about getting tested

If you received blood in another country before 1980 please contact us for advice.

You may be eligible if your own blood was given back to you (autologous transfusion).

If you would like to discuss any of the above, get in touch on 0345 90 90 999
Currently a blood donor? Let us know if these criteria affect you
Age and weight
Height and weight chart for female blood donors aged 17-19

Age

You can become a blood donor as soon as you reach your 17th birthday.

If you're a new donor, you can start giving blood anytime up to your 66th birthday.

If you have given blood before, even if it was some time ago, you can give blood up until your 70th birthday.

If you're over 70 and in good health, you can continue to give blood provided you have made a full donation in the last two years.

Weight

To give blood, you need to weigh over 7st 12lb (50 kg). If you're a woman aged 17-19, additional height and weight criteria apply. Have a look at the height and weight chart to find out if you can give blood at this time.

These guidelines are in place to stop you feeling faint or unwell after giving blood.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR WOMEN AGED 17-19

What has changed?

New donation guidelines have been introduced for female blood donors under 20 years of age, taking account of both height and weight.

If you're under 20 years old and over 5’ 6” (168cm) in height, or if you are under 20 years old and over 10st 3lb (65kg) in weight, the changes do not apply to you and you can give blood.

If, however, you are a female under 20 years of age, and you are either under 5’ 6” (168cm) in height or under 10st 3lb (65kg) in weight, your height and weight will need to be taken into consideration.

Those who DO NOT meet the new guidelines will be unable to give blood for the time being. Once you have reached your 20th birthday, or if your weight increases to meet our criteria before your 20th birthday, please come back to give blood.

Why is this changing?

New donation research and medical evidence has shown that, based on height and weight, young female donors of smaller build (as indicated in the chart) are at an increased risk of fainting following blood donation.
Complementary and beauty therapies
Complementary therapies which use needles or break the skin (including acupuncture)

You can give blood as long as:

1. the reason you had treatment doesn't stop you giving blood, and

2. your treatment was performed by an NHS professional or a qualified healthcare professional

If you were treated by someone who was not a registered health care professional, you'll have to wait four months before giving blood. Registered healthcare professionals include doctors, dentists, registered nurses, physiotherapists and others. Contact us if you're not sure.

Body building drugs and tanning injections

You must never give blood if you have ever injected (or been injected with) illegal or non-prescribed drugs, including body building drugs or tanning injections.

Platelet rich plasma facials ("Vampire" facials)

You have to wait four months after a platelet rich plasma facial to give blood.

Colonic irrigation or colonic hydrotherapy

You have to wait four months after colonic irrigation or hydrotherapy before giving blood.

Herbal and homeopathic medicines / nutritional supplements

You can usually give blood while taking these, provided you don’t have a medical condition that stops you.

Currently a blood donor? Let us know if these criteria affect you
Surgery
For most operations, you can give blood once you have fully recovered and all wounds are healed.

Keyhole or minor surgery

If you've had keyhole or minor surgery, you can give blood when you're fully recovered.

Endoscopy, colonoscopy

If you have had an investigation or procedure using a flexible scope, you'll have to wait four months before giving blood.

Major surgery

After major surgical procedures, you may have to wait at least six months before giving blood.

Blood transfusions

You will be unable to give blood if you have received a blood transfusion since 1980.

This does not apply if your own blood was given back to you (autologous transfusion). Please get in touch for more information on 0345 90 90 999.

Surgery overseas

If you have had surgery anywhere outwith the UK or Republic of Ireland, you'll have to wait at least three months before giving blood.

Waiting for surgery?

If you are waiting for an operation or another procedure, you may still be able to donate. Please contact us on on 0345 90 90 999 or via our online form before going along to a donor session.

We will let you know if you can donate before surgery or if you need to wait.

Currently a blood donor? Let us know if these criteria affect you
Serious illness
Some long term health problems and serious illnesses mean we can’t accept you as a donor.

Conditions that stop you giving blood include:

Heart disease

Cancer

Stroke

Inflammatory bowel disease

Chronic lung disease (except asthma)

Some neurological diseases and disorders, including myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) / chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and multiple sclerosis

Please get in touch so we can let you know if you are able to give blood.

High blood pressure, high cholesterol

You can give blood while being treated for high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels.

If your blood pressure medication changes you have to wait at least four weeks before giving blood.

Diabetes

You can give blood if you have diabetes but do not need insulin treatment.

Complications caused by diabetes may mean you will be unable to give blood.

Please make sure you tell your diabetic team if you give blood. This is because blood donation may affect the tests used to monitor diabetic control (HbA1c levels). If possible, it's best to avoid giving blood in the two months before a routine diabetic review, so your HbA1c levels have not been affected by donation.

Currently a blood donor? Let us know if these criteria affect you
Injections
You must never give blood if:

You have ever injected or been injected with drugs; even a long time ago or only once.

This includes any illicit injected drug, including body-building drugs, chemsex drugs and tanning agents.

You may be able to give blood if a doctor prescribed these drugs. Please ask.

Currently a blood donor? Let us know if this criteria affects you.
Covid-19
Currently, you must not donate if you fall into one of the following categories:

You have Covid-19 confirmed by a positive test (PCR or LFT)

You have suspected Covid-19 and are waiting for the results of a PCR test arranged by your doctor or other health care provider

You have Post-Covid Syndrome, also known as Long Covid

If you have symptoms but haven’t been tested for Covid-19 or have had a negative test result for Covid-19 then whether you can donate will depend on your symptoms.

Long Covid

Long Covid is diagnosed if someone experiences symptoms relating to Covid-19 infection for more than four weeks. If symptoms last 12 weeks or more, this may also be known as Post-Covid-19 Syndrome.

SNBTS do not accept donors with Long Covid until at least six months have passed without symptoms (including fatigue). This is based on the JPAC guidance. It means we do not accept donors until they have been better for at least six months.

SNBTS ask donors to declare, on their donor health check (which must be completed prior to every donation), any changes to their heath, or any infections. Blood donation works on the principles of kindness and mutual trust, and we ask all donors to adhere to the blood donor selection process by providing completely honest answers to all the questions asked. This is to protect their own health and that of the patients who receive their donation. Compliance with all donor selection criteria is crucial, in order to ensure the continued safety of the blood supply.

If you have any questions about our donor selection criteria our medical team will be happy to help. Please give us a call on 0345 90 90 999.

When will I be eligible to donate?

If you have tested positive for Covid-19 you must wait at least seven days after recovery from your symptoms

If you have tested positive but haven’t had symptoms, you must wait at least seven days after your last positive test

If you have had Long Covid, you won’t be able to donate until you have been fully recovered for six months

Recovery from Covid-19

If you have had Covid-19 you must be fully recovered before giving blood.

This means you must:

have returned to normal activities

not have ongoing Covid-19 symptoms including fatigue

not be undergoing tests or follow up.

The only exception to this is changes to taste and smell which can go on for an extended period of time after recovery from Covid-19.

I've had my Covid-19 vaccination/booster. Can I donate

If you've had a Covid-19 vaccine (or booster vaccine) you can book in to give blood immediately provided you don't have any side effects from the vaccination

If you've got a blood donation appointment booked before your vaccination appointment, you can still come to donate.

Covid-19: Advice for donors
Haemochromatosis

Genetic haemochromatosis is a condition where someone may need to be treated by having blood taken ('venesection') to prevent their body from storing too much iron. Patients with genetic haemochromatosis can become blood donors as long as their iron levels are at an acceptable level. They must also meet the same blood donation rules as any other donor.

If you have genetic haemochromatosis and would like to give blood, the first thing to do is talk to your doctor or the hospital clinic that looks after you. If they think you would be suitable, they can refer you to the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service as a potential donor. Our clinical staff will look at this referral and decide whether you meet our guidelines for people with genetic haemochromatosis. We will get in touch with you and your clinic to let you know the outcome.

If you have been diagnosed with genetic haemochromatosis through family screening but don’t need venesection, you may be able to donate straight away. Please get in touch with us to find out more.

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Can I give blood

Are you eligible to give blood?

Are you aged between 17 and 65?

Unfortunately, you can only become a new blood donor between your 17th and 66th birthdays.

Do you weigh 7st 12lb (50 kg) or more?

Unfortunately, you're not eligible to give blood if you weigh less than 7st 12lb (50 kg)

Have you had the Covid-19 vaccine within the last 48 hours?

If you've had the vaccine as part of the UK vaccination programme, you'll need to wait 48hrs until you can give blood.

Are you waiting for medical test results?

Unfortunately, you won't be eligible to give blood until you've received your test results.

Have you visited a malarial area in the last year?

Unfortunately, you'll have to wait 12 months before you can give blood.

Have you had cancer, heart disease or a stroke?

Unfortunately, you're not eligible to give blood.

Have you been pregnant in the last six months, or are you currently pregnant?

You are not able to donate right now. Find out more about when you will be eligible again below.

Had a tattoo or piercing in the last four months?

You'll need to wait four months after a tattoo or piercing before you can give blood.

Have you had an endoscopy or colonoscopy in the last four months?

You'll need to wait four months after your investigation before you can give blood.

Have you received a blood transfusion since 1st January 1980?

Unfortunately, you're not eligible to give blood if you have received (or think you might have received) a blood transfusion since 1980.

Have you ever injected (or been injected with) non-prescription drugs?

Unfortunately, you're not eligible to give blood.

Have you ever been diagnosed with or treated for Syphilis, HIV, HTLV, Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C?

Unfortunately, you're not eligible to give blood.

Have you been diagnosed with and/or treated for any other sexually transmitted diseases within the last three months?

Unfortunately, you're not eligible to give blood at this time.

Have you taken PEP or PrEP to reduce your risk of contracting HIV over the last three months?

You'll need to wait three months after taking PEP or PrEP before you can give blood.

Have you had chemsex over the last three months?

You'll need to wait three months after having chemsex before you can give blood.

Have you started (or restarted) a new sexual relationship, or had more than one sexual partner in the last three months?

Good news! It doesn't look like any of our new eligibility criteria will affect your ability to give blood.

Have you had anal sex with your new partner, with or without a condom?

You'll need to wait three months after having anal sex with a new partner / sex with more than one partner including anal sex with at least one partner before you can give blood.

Brilliant! It looks like you should be able to give blood.

Find out more

General health

Travel

Sexual relations

Waiting for medical test results

Frequency

Medications

Tattoo / piercing

Pregnancy

Dentistry

Blood transfusion

Age and weight

Complementary and beauty therapies

Surgery

Serious illness

Injections

Covid-19

Haemochromatosis

What you can do before giving blood

Sign up to give blood

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Current blood stock levels across Scotland Saturday 21 December