Haemoglobin - I've been told by my doctor that my haemoglobin is low/I have anaemia. Am I eligible to donate?
Haemoglobin is a protein which contains iron. It is in your red blood cells and it transports oxygen around your body. Iron deficiency is the most common cause of low haemoglobin.
Lifeblood requires a ‘finger prick test’ (a test of a tiny drop of blood from your finger) before every donation to ensure you have a high enough haemoglobin level to donate.
If you’ve been diagnosed with anaemia or low haemoglobin, you won’t be able to donate until it’s been fully investigated by a doctor and appropriately treated.