Ive been told by my doctor that my haemoglobin is low/I have anaemia. Am I eligible to donate?
Haemoglobin is a protein which contains iron. It is packaged in red blood cells and its function is to transport oxygen around the body. Iron deficiency is the most common cause of low haemoglobin. The Blood Service requires a finger prick test before every donation to ensure donors have an acceptable haemoglobin level. If you have been diagnosed with anaemia or low haemoglobin, you can’t donate until it has been fully investigated and appropriately treated. Recipes for meals high in iron can be found here.
