Can You Donate Blood With Arthritis?

You are able to donate blood if you have arthritis, as long as your disease is well controlled, you can get in and out of the donation chair without help, and your are otherwise healthy. This applies whether you have rheumatoid arthritis (or another autoimmune disease, like psoriatic arthritis) or osteoarthritis, also called wear-and-tear arthritis.

Exceptions come in if a particular blood bank has their own rules against this or if certain conditions are not met. For example, you may be ineligible to donate blood due to an active arthritis flare or the use of certain medications.

This article discusses blood donation when you have arthritis, why it's safe for both you and the recipient, and what circumstances might disqualify you from donating.

Arthritis Doesn't Disqualify You From Donation

In the past, people with autoimmune types of arthritis and other autoimmune diseases were banned from donating blood. This was due to concerns that circulating autoantibodies (immune proteins that mistakenly destroy healthy cells) could transfer from donor to recipient. However, this is now proven not to be the case.

A study published in the journal Annals of Rheumatic Diseases used data from 938,942 blood donors in a Danish–Swedish database (SCANDAT2) and found no evidence that rheumatoid arthritis can be transmitted through blood transfusion.

Today, arthritis itself no longer disqualifies you as a blood donor.

Blood Donation Safety

Donating blood is perfectly safe both for you and those who receive your blood.

Side effects and risks of blood donation are the same for people with arthritis as for other donors: You may feel lightheaded or dizzy after donating, and you may develop a bruise near the site of the blood draw.

A typical donation is equivalent to a pint of blood. Your body replenishes the lost fluid within 24 hours of a donation, and it takes another four to six weeks for red blood cells to regenerate. This has no effect on your arthritis symptoms or disease management.

When to Delay or Avoid Donating Blood

Blood donations are always in need, so having arthritis should not be something that gets in the way of giving. Know, however, that there are circumstances in which you can be either be temporarily or permanently prohibited from donating blood.

Some of these relate to arthritis specifically, such as having an active flare of your condition or taking certain arthritis medications. Others are disqualifying factors that may apply to any individual, such as heart disease or a history of drug use.

Active Arthritis Flare-Up

Blood donation is not recommended if you have a temperature above 99.5 degrees F or are otherwise ill. Some people experience a fever during an arthritis flare-up and, therefore, should avoid giving blood until their temperature is back to normal.

The joint pain, swelling, and other symptoms that tend to come with a flare aren't an issue when it comes to giving blood (aside from, perhaps, them making you too uncomfortable to do so). However, the medications you take may make you ineligible to donate.

Use of Certain Medications for Arthritis

Certain medications used in the treatment of rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis may make you ineligible to donate blood for a period of time. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), often used for all types of arthritis, don't pose this concern, though it is important to let the donation center know that you take these drugs.

Medications that may disqualify you from giving blood include: 

• Arava (leflunomide): You should wait two years after taking this immunosuppressive drug before donating blood.
• Aspirin: There is no waiting period for donating whole blood when taking aspirin, but you must wait two full days before donating platelets by apheresis (a way to donate specific components of blood).
• Feldene (piroxicam): There is no waiting period for donating whole blood, but you must wait two days before donating platelets by apheresis.
• Rinvoq (upadacitinib): You should wait one month after taking this biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD).
• Soriatane (acitretin): You should wait three years after taking this vitamin A derivative that treats psoriasis.
• Tegison (etretinate): You are ineligible to donate blood if you have ever taken this second-generation retinoid used to treat severe psoriasis.
  

Anemia

Anemia is a condition in which your body does not produce enough healthy red blood cells. People with arthritis and other autoimmune diseases are more prone to anemia of chronic disease and iron-deficiency anemia.

Prior to blood donation, a finger-stick blood test will be performed to check your levels of hemoglobin, an iron-rich protein that is responsible for carrying oxygen through the bloodstream. Iron helps your body make new red blood cells to replace those lost, such as through blood donation.

If your hemoglobin levels are too low, it may be dangerous for you to donate blood at this time. Minimum hemoglobin levels for safe blood donation are:

• Female: 12.5 grams per deciliter
• Male: 13 grams per deciliter

Note that taking certain DMARDs prescribed to treat anemia can also result in your blood donation needing to be delayed.

Other Disqualifying Factors

The requirements for blood donation can vary by individual blood banks.

Despite current guidelines suggesting it is safe for people with psoriatic arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis to donate blood, some blood banks still have a policy against accepting donations from people with any autoimmune disease.

Beyond this, and in most states, donors must be age 17 or older, although 16-year-olds may be able to donate with a signed parental consent form. Donors must also weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health.

The American Red Cross does not allow blood donations from people to which any of the following apply, whether they also have arthritis or not:

• Infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or are at risk of getting HIV (such as having had sexual contact with an HIV-positive person or having multiple sex partners)
• A previous or current history of substance use disorder (either oral or intravenous)
• Serious chronic illness, such as diseases of the heart or lung, although those with well-controlled asthma can still donate blood
• History of hepatitis B or hepatitis C
• A previous or current history of cancer (depending on the type of cancer and success of treatment)

In April 2020, the Department of Health and Human Services reversed a previous permanent ban on blood donation from men who have sex with men (MSM). The new guidelines recommend a three-month deferment from the last sexual contact. 

It is always a good idea to call ahead to confirm your eligibility.

Summary

You can donate blood if you have osteoarthritis or an autoimmune type of arthritis, as long as certain criteria are met. In most cases, your condition must be well managed and you should be able to get in and out of the donation chair without help.

Certain medications may prevent you from being able to donate blood. Make sure you tell the donation center about any medication you may be taking before you donate. You also may not be able to donate if you have anemia or certain other conditions like HIV or a chronic lung or heart condition.