Hemochromatosis probands as blood donors

BACKGROUND: There has been no estimate of the potential eligibility of hemochromatosis probands or patients as blood donors or the suitability for transfusion of their blood that was removed by therapeutic phlebotomy. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: According to guidelines of the American Association of Blood Banks, a retrospective estimate of these factors in 211 adult white hemochromatosis probands diagnosed during routine medical care was performed. The findings were compared to those in volunteer white whole-blood donors. RESULTS: Before diagnosis of hemochromatosis, 49 probands had voluntarily donated 597. units of blood; 88 percent were donated by men. After diagnosis, 142 (67%) of 211 probands were potentially eligible. Data on each unit removed during iron-depletion therapy and during the first year of maintenance therapy (therapeutic phlebotomy) were available in 86 eligible probands. Of 1592 units, 1029 (65%) obtained during iron-depletion therapy in eligible probands were potentially suitable; 86 percent were from men. During maintenance therapy, 106 (88%) of 121 units from eligible probands were potentially suitable. In volunteer donors,255,567 (94%) of 273,302 presenting donors were accepted. After testing and laboratory losses, 239,300 (94%) units were acceptable for transfusion. CONCLUSIONS: In comparison with normal volunteers, hemochromatosis probands at diagnosis are less likely to be eligible as blood donors. The percentage of units obtained from patients during iron-depletion therapy that are suitable for transfusion is also lower, although the percentage increases during maintenance therapy.