Donating blood can be a wonderful thing. However, can we give blood if we have hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s? And can we give blood if we’re on medication for this, such as Levothyroxine, Cytomel or NDT (e.g. Armour Thyroid)?
The short answer is: Yes
Most people with hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s can donate blood, as long as they meet the standard eligibility criteria and are stable on their thyroid medication (thyroid hormone replacement therapy).
This usually means that your levels have been optimal and stable on the same dose for at least a few months.
Optimal Thyroid Levels Are:
- TSH below 2.5
- Free T3 in the top quarter of the range
- Free T4 midrange or slightly higher
- Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies and Thyroglobulin Antibodies within normal ranges
Optimal levels are explained in more detail here.
If you are still stabilising and optimising your thyroid condition, planning to change type of medication soon, are waiting on further blood tests, scans or an appointment with the endocrinologist, then you are advised to wait until all of this is completed, before giving blood.
Keep In Mind…
It is worth keeping a couple of things in mind, however.
Firstly, many thyroid patients also have low levels of ferritin (stored iron), Vitamin D, B12 and more, which can further be exacerbated by donating blood, since a large quantity is typically donated in one session. If you regularly donate blood, it would be worth keeping a close eye on your key vitamin levels, and considering supplementing to maintain good levels.
I personally cannot give blood due to being so prone to anaemia (very low iron levels).
Secondly, regularly donating blood may lead to a drop in your thyroid hormone levels, which may require a small dosage adjustment, so it is recommended that we closely monitor thyroid hormone levels to ensure that donating blood isn’t impacting them, which can cause a return in thyroid symptoms such as low mood, fatigue, weight gain, muscle pain and more.
If you are on thyroid medication yet still feel unwell, it is probably worth exploring why and seeking other underlying causes or ‘jigsaw puzzle pieces’ before donating blood, to avoid making yourself feel even worse.
Don’t forget that Be You’re Own Thyroid Advocate: When You’re Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired covers all of this and so much more, making it easy to know how to live well with your thyroid condition.
Conclusion
While thyroid patients may meet the eligibility criteria for donating blood and being on thyroid medication doesn’t necessarily stop us from doing so, it may be that your body is impacted negatively, or your thyroid condition becomes a little less stable by doing so.
We’re all individual, so it is likely a case of seeing how it impacts (or doesn’t impact) you and your health. If you experience a thyroid flare following a blood donation, you will need to weigh up whether you feel it is worth continuing with the blood donations.
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