Donating blood

Patients taking medication for pituitary conditions, either for hormone replacement or for treatment of a disorder, may or may not be able to donate blood dependant on what medication they are taking.

NHS Blood and Transplant (UK) have advised us of guidelines for donating blood for pituitary patients and the replacements or medication they may take.

Medication or hormone	Donating blood allowed?	Comments
Hydrocortisone	NO	NHS blood guidelines
Prednisolone	NO
DDAVP Desmopressin	NO
Growth hormone	Possible	Depending on reason for treatment
Thyroxine	YES	Taking Thyroxine or Levothyroxine does not prevent you from donating, provided you have been on a steady dose for at least three months
Cabergoline	Possible	If you are asymptomatic you may be able to donate
Bromocriptine	Possible	If you are asymptomatic you may be able to donate
Octreotide	NO	NHS blood guidelines
Lanreotide	NO	NHS blood guidelines
Testosterone	Possible	Depending on reason for treatment
Oestrogen/progesterone	Possible	Depending on reason for treatment

If you wish to find out more or confirm if you are eligible to donate blood for the ‘possible’ section if this refers to you, please contact: NHSBT enquiries

Tel: 0300 123 23 23

Or visit http://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/

Also, learn more: www.blood.co.uk

Whilst NHS Blood and Transplant operates in England and North Wales, South Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland all have their own Blood services.

Wales - www.welsh-blood.org.uk
Scotland - www.scotblood.co.uk
Northern Ireland - www.nibts.org

If you would like to access the full Donor Selection Guidelines they are available via www.transfusionguidelines.org.uk