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Giving blood

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LeeLee

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Are there any blood donors out there? What do you have as a post donation snack? I'm going to give my armful on Tuesday.
 
Can't give blood any more since diagnosis, as I'm on insulin :( When I could I was partial to a few bourbons, but I do see the dilemma now!
 
Type 2's on medication can't either, so that's me out. I used to like the odd custard cream.
 
no to diabetics on meds. their explanation to me - it's to safeguard us, the whole process could cause us to hypo.

I took it to DUK, but 'them's the rules', sorry!!
 
Type 2's on medication can't either, so that's me out. I used to like the odd custard cream.
Depends what you're on. I emailed the full list of everything I take to www.blood.nhs.uk and the reply came back that I'm OK to donate provided I tell them if anything changes. I'm on Metformin, Lisinopril, Atorvastatin, Lansoprazole. Last time I donated I was also on Bendroflumethiazide, but I no longer need it.

A side benefit of giving blood is that your body spends around 650 calories making it back up!
 
Im thinking about joining organ donors' register. Apparently we can do that although not sure if they would really accept any of my organs:(
 
Unlike blood, organ donation isn't necessarily about putting something into a living patient. Being on the register means that you're giving them permission to use your organs, and that could be for research rather than transplantation unless you specify otherwise.
 
T1s (and probably T2s on most meds) aren't eligible for most organ donation.

But as pointed out, we can be used for research, which might be more valuable if it helps to save thousands of lives, rather than just one.

I'm happy for any part to be used for pretty much anything they want. 🙂

Rob
 
Well, I did it. They've had their armful, so that's it for 4 months. I opted for a nice sweet clementine for afters, though the biccies were tempting. No ill effects, though I did need an early night.

To any of you T2s who are NOT on insulin, if you email your list of drugs/doses to the website, the doctors there will tell you whether they can safely take your blood. The issue is more about YOUR safety, less about the potential recipient's.

Though I haven't read up on organ donation recently, I do know that most people are suitable donors for corneas and skin for grafting even if the internal organs are not.
 
I am able to give blood as a T2 under control on Metformin. I have what I want with my post donation tea as a "one off" treat has not effect upon my BG level.
 
Ah well you see, if you are a T2 and can give blood, if you then go onto insulin, they may ask you to donate platelets. It is slower than blood, but the 'beds' are a lot more comfy. (I whinged about that! - but fair dos, they are trapped a lot longer than giving blood)

Or that may only be at actual fixed donor centres as opposed to mobile units, I always gave it at the main place in B'ham and their HO used to be - well still is - on the B'ham Uni site at Vincent Drive, Edgbaston.
 
Incidentally, I didn't know you couldn't be an organ donor? I've been registered for ever. (since before I was D) About 1968 or so?
 
You CAN be an organ donor, at the time of donation they will decide what organs are healthy enough to be used. Even if the "solid" organs such as kidneys, lungs, heart, liver are not good enough (and there is generally no reason why they aren't) the person can donate heart valves, skin and bone.

The organs are ONLY used in transplant are are NOT used for research as previously stated. If they are retrieved and not transplanted then they are disposed off.

The only condition that you can't donate with is CJD. Even HIV or Hepatitis people can donate, their organs will go to someone with that disease.

Please, if you haven't already signed up, do so!
http://www.organdonation.nhs.uk
 
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I thought you could. I mean OK so you die of summat entirely different but if you had a dicky heart nobody knew about they'd have to check that out before they gave it someone else, wouldn't they?
 
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