Can I donate blood if I have anemia?
What this means
- Active anemia means you should wait.
- If your hemoglobin returns to a healthy level, donation may be possible.
- Work with your clinician on the underlying cause.
What to do next
Treat the cause with your clinician, then recheck your hemoglobin before booking.
When to call the center: Call your clinician about the cause, and the center about timing.
If you need to wait
Until your hemoglobin is back in the donation range.
Exact timing is confirmed by the center. Set a reminder so you do not have to track it.
Set a return reminderWhy this rule exists
Donating while anemic can worsen it, so centers wait until your levels recover.
This is general educational guidance, not a final eligibility decision. Donation centers make final eligibility decisions during confidential screening. Rules may vary by center, donation type, location, and current policy.
Were you already turned away for this reason? See the comeback plan
Find a place to donate
Search by city, ZIP, state, or center name, or use your location to see the closest centers.
Related questions
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Read the full pledgeSources and review
The guidance on this page reflects published criteria from these organizations. Eligibility and procedures vary by center and country, so confirm specifics with your donation center.
- American Red Cross
- AABB (Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies)
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Blood Donation
- Canadian Blood Services
- Last reviewed:
- Next review due:
- Reviewed by:
- Reviewed against American Red Cross, AABB, and U.S. FDA donor guidance
- Confidence:
- High confidence