Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Can You Donate Blood With Cd?


Guest missyflanders

Recommended Posts

Guest missyflanders

My husband donates all the time. I have never been able to because of my iron level. If I get this under control and at the right level, am I able to donate blood? Just wondering.


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



celiac3270 Collaborator

I don't see why not....celiac disease isn't contagious....as long as you're in good health, I see no reason why you shouldn't be allowed to donate blood.

flagbabyds Collaborator

You should be able to, celiac disease is not contagious as Coutler said and cannot be passed through the blood stream, ask your local blood drive to make sure

gf4life Enthusiast

Here is a link to the Red Cross Blood Donation Eligibility Guidelines.

Open Original Shared Link

I have given blood twice since going gluten free in January. It is the first time in my life that I have not been turned away because my iron was low. My iron has been fine since being gluten-free and I feel fine after donating. The guidelines say that if you have a "chronic illness" you may still donate as long as your condition is under control and you feel well enough to donate.

One suggestion though. Bring your own snack! They want you to sit for a bit after donating and have a drink and a snack. The snacks at our local blood drive always seem to be gluten filled (Twinkies, Ho-ho's, danish, etc). I have suggested to them to have some gluten/wheat free alternatives (like dried fruit) and did find raisins the first time. I just figure I will always have to bring a snack in my purse.

Good luck getting your iron up. Using cast iron skillets seem to really help me a lot. Just make sure you get a new one, so that it isn't contaminated with gluten.

God bless,

Mariann :D

debmidge Rising Star

I'd be more afraid to get blood from a "normal" person who eats gluten.

sunflower Newbie
I'd be more afraid to get blood from a "normal" person who eats gluten.

I'm no specialist, but if my understanding of digesting process is correct, than I think that a non-celiac person would not have gluten as such in their blood. Gluten is a protein, so during normal digestive process it would be cut into aminoacids, which would be then carried by blood (that is what they taught me at school ;) ). I don't think aminoacids can hurt us, so I suppose it would not be a problem for us to get blood from a "normal" person.

BTW, I wonder what if the person who donated blood is a non-diagnosed celiac? Can undigested gluten permeate into your blood if you are celiac? Does anybody know?

lovegrov Collaborator

It's not a problem for us to get blood from a person who eats gluten, just as it isn't a problem to eat meat from an animal that ate gluten.

richard


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



Carriefaith Enthusiast

I can't see why not unless you're anemic or have some other nutrient absorption problems.

  • 2 weeks later...
RDV Newbie

Hi Missyflanders, The Canadian Blood Services in Charlottetown told me that I have to be symptom free for one year before I can go back to giving plasma. In my case I was giving once a week and had to stop when I started showing symptoms of anemia. Thats how I found out I had celiac disease.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      130,246
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Kathleen weber
    Newest Member
    Kathleen weber
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.3k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • knitty kitty
      @Zuma888, The antibodies produced in response to gluten are made in the intestines.  When the body is provoked sufficiently, the antibodies overflow out of the intestines and into the blood stream.  Once in the blood stream, the antibodies can be measured with tTg IgA tests.  Three grams of gluten per day for two weeks minimum is enough gluten to make you feel the symptoms of having been glutened, but the antibodies are not in sufficient quantity to be measured in the blood. Ten grams of gluten per day for a minimum of two weeks is required to get the anti gluten antibodies at a high enough level in the blood stream to be measured by tTg IgA tests. So, no, occasional cross contamination or (heaven forbid) intentional cheat days will not be sufficient for tTg IgA testing.  You will still be making antibodies which will still be causing inflammation and damage to the intestines and body.  Histamine is released as part of the immune response to gluten.  High histamine levels lead to food sensitivities, brain fog, and body aches.   The damage done to the gastrointestinal tract affects the absorption of essential vitamins and minerals.  Malabsorption of fats can cause changes in stools.  Insufficient absorption of vitamins and minerals can cause damage to other organs like the thyroid if it can't get enough Selenium, iodine, iron, zinc, and Thiamine.  Brain fog and fatigue can be caused by low Thiamine and other B Complex vitamins.  Vitamin D is needed to regulate the immune system.  One gene is all that's needed to develop Celiac disease.  I know a Celiac diagnosis is a change that can be difficult to get your head around.  Many people go through the five stages of grief.  One stage is "bargaining".  Sounds like you're stuck there.  Every little cheat counts to your detriment.  But sticking to a gluten free diet, makes every meal a success.   Read the comments below the article... Best wishes!  Keep us posted on your progress!
    • Scott Adams
      No, I would not say this at all. If you were diagnosed with celiac disease and were gluten-free for a while, you could have gone into remission. Everyone's body is different, and some celiacs may be able to get regular contamination and not end up with damaged villi and positive antibody tests, while others who ingest tiny amounts will relapse and have full blown symptoms and flattened villi.  Only a full gluten challenge would reveal where you are at this point. Here is more info about how to do a gluten challenge for a celiac disease blood panel, or for an endoscopy: and this recent study recommends 4-6 slices of wheat bread per day:    
    • Scott Adams
      The most common nutrient deficiencies associated with celiac disease that may lead to testing for the condition include iron, vitamin D, folate (vitamin B9), vitamin B12, calcium, zinc, and magnesium.  Unfortunately many doctors, including my own doctor at the time, don't do extensive follow up testing for a broad range of nutrient deficiencies, nor recommend that those just diagnosed with celiac disease take a broad spectrum vitamin/mineral supplement, which would greatly benefit most, if not all, newly diagnosed celiacs.      
    • Pablohoyasaxa
      Great  post. The skin issue can be intolerable. I have been taking niacinamide for the past month and have improved with respect to the blistering lesions. 
    • knitty kitty
      I've found taking Niacin Vitamin B 3 in the form that causes flushing (nicotinic acid) helps immensely to clear my skin.  The flushing is harmless and goes away the longer Niacin is taken.  The flushing (vasodilation in the skin) helps the body get rid of the tTg 3 IgA antibodies that cause the blisters.  TTg 2 IgA antibodies are found in the blood and are measured in diagnostic testing for Celiac.  People with Dermatitis Herpetiformis make tTg 3 as well as tTg 2 antibodies.  Niacin Vitamin B3 in the non flushing form niacinamide also works without the flushing, but takes a bit longer.   I also avoid foods containing high levels of iodine because iodine activates the tTg 3 IgA antibodies to become more active and make more blisters.  I avoid kelp (nori, seaweed) and crustaceans,  eggs, dairy products, and iodized table salt.   Niacinamide and Nicotinic acid are water soluble and harmless.  I'd much rather take Niacin than Dapsone with scary side effects.  
×
×
  • Create New...