Organ donation when not allowed to give blood

[nennyc]

Just wondering if I can become an organ donor even though I'm not allowed to give blood.
I had a blood transfusion in 1992 so that's why I'm not allowed to.

[yogasun]

That's a very good question. I had a blood transfusion in 1983 and cannot give blood under the existing controls....never thought about organ donation being a no no. I expect you can google it, would do myself but really must get on with something!!

[Sqad]

It is all to do with CJD........blood transfusions given before 1992 may contain a variant of CJD and hence may also be lying dormant in organs commonly used for transplantation.e.g livers and kidneys.

Lazygun and the prof, both ABers will give you a better reason.

[yogasun]

Yes, thanks Sqad...I'm back between trips to the garden. I realise the CJD connection but therefore I might as well get rid of my donor card. If someone had a card on them and had an unfortunate accident then, would the hospital doing the prospective transplant - corneas, kidney, liver, etc. have to do a lot of medical checks on the potential donor's history prior to any action?

[Sqad]

yoga....please don't quote me......I may well have the wrong end of the stick

[yogasun]

OK, Sqad, but it is a thought isn't it? I believe there have been cases where a donor organ was found to have latent CJD or something. Will have to look at that myself out of interest.

[slaney]

Interesting question...
Whereas anyone who has had a transfusion since 1980 cannot give blood, for organ donation it's a little more complex.
Looking at the most recent guidelines from SaBTO - the Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood Tissues and Organs they say anyone with a history of definite or probable blood transfusion since 1980 may not donate bone, but can donate skin or heart valve tissue. For solid organ - "individual assessment required"
So a "maybe".

This is the NHSBT site - Question 20

http://www.organdonat...ers/answers_7.jsp#q20

[yogasun]

Thanks slaney, that is very interesting.

[carmalee]

As a matter of interest I know I can't give blood cos I've had chemo and radio therapy plus malaria - as a universal blood type have tried to give blood but no can do - does this also preclude me from being an organ donar (am registered).

[karenmac60]

I can't give blood because of a transfusion in the 90s but I was tested to be a live kidney donor for mr mac. It didn't go through for other reasons but they were aware of me having had a transfusion and not being allowed to give blood, but it was never mentioned as being a problem with regards to donating a kidney.

[bednobs]

i would guess it might be different karen - mr mac would probably be willing to take on the risk

[karenmac60]

It was never mentioned to him that it could be a risk though Bednobs. I'll be really peed off if it turns out I can't donate organs either. I was a strict vegetarian through the whole BSE thing but because of one measly transfusion I am now considered more of a risk than someone who scoffed burgers every day - it doesn't make sense....

[mrs_overall]

Carmalee - I believe you have to have had the all clear for at least 5 years before you can be considered as a donor.

karen - having a transfusion is more problematic for someone waiting for a transplant than it is for a would be donor

[karenmac60]

You've lost me mrs o (it might be my tablets:)). Mr mac wasn't getting a transfusion - he was potentially getting my kidney.

[mrs_overall]

Sorry karen, I wasnt being clear. If you are waiting for a donated organ and have a blood transfusion, it changes your antibodies and affects your tissue typing. This means you have to start the testing process all over again

[mrs_overall]

Anyone on the list waiting for an organ is advised to try and avoid a blood transfusion at all costs unless it is life or death

[slaney]

Karenmac, I'm pretty sure if you have no other risk factors apart from the transfusion, that an assessment would allow you to be an organ donor.

[carmalee]

mrs O that is contrary to what I was led to believe - the malaria thingie was okay after a time but the chemo and radio therapy excluded me forever. Love it if you were correct cos my blood group (universal ) is often used for jaundiced new borns.

[mrs_overall]

carmalee, i've just realised I'm getting mixed up. If you are on the waiting list for an organ and then develop say cancer, you come off the list. It is the recipient who has to be clear for 5 years bfore they can go back onto the waiting list

[carmalee]

thanks for clearing that up Mrs O - pity though

[karenmac60]

I get that mrs o - but that wasn't the issue :) I think I need a wee lie down, I'm confusing myself here ;)