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# Haemoglobin estimation - Whole blood and components

## Essential information

Obligatory

  The haemoglobin concentration should be estimated each time a potential donor presents.

  If a donor is not accepted, the reason why must be explained to them and, if appropriate, advice given to see their own GP.

  ### Lower limits

  1. Whole blood donors

  Must not donate if the haemoglobin concentration is less than:

  - Female donors: 125 g/L
  - Male donors: 135 g/L
  - Not disclosed: 125 g/L (see Note – Not disclosed below)

  2. Double red dell donors

  Must not donate if the haemoglobin concentration is less than:

  - All donors: 140 g/L

  3. Component donors who will only donate plasma

  Must not donate if the haemoglobin concentration is less than:

  - Female donors: 120 g/L
  - Male donors: 130 g/L
  - Not disclosed: 125 g/L (see Note – Not disclosed below)

  4. All other component donors

  Must not donate if the haemoglobin concentration is less than:

  - Female donors: 125 g/L
  - Male donors: 135 g/L
  - Not disclosed: 125 g/L (see Note – Not disclosed below)

  ### Upper limits

  All donors

  Must not donate if the haemoglobin concentration is greater than:

  - Female donors: 165 g/L
  - Male donors: 180 g/L
  - Not disclosed: 180 g/L (see Note – Not disclosed below)

  ### Note – Not disclosed

  Blood Services should have donor selection processes that are inclusive of transgender and non-binary individuals. These may be based on asking donors their sex assigned at birth (SAAB) or asking donors about their gender identity and transgender history. For the purposes of this entry, 'not disclosed' criteria apply to donors who are not comfortable to answer these details. It is important to ensure donors understand the rationale for asking these questions.

Discretionary
  1. Potential donors whose haemoglobin concentration is estimated to be below the acceptable level may be asked to give a further sample of blood for testing by alternative means. If the haemoglobin concentration is not less than the levels shown above, accept.
  2. If the haemoglobin concentration is above the upper limits listed above, refer to the Polycythaemia and raised haemoglobin entry.

## Supporting information

See if relevant
  - Hormone replacement and sex hormone therapy
  - Polycythaemia and raised haemoglobin
  - Transgender and non-binary individuals
Additional information

  Transgender and non-binary donors may take gender-affirming hormone therapy to support their transition. This may change the haemoglobin level in their blood and consideration can be given to changing the haemoglobin criteria used to assess the donor, based on the therapy the donor is taking. See the Transgender and non-binary individuals entry.

  A 500 mL donation of whole blood contains about 250 mg of iron. It can take months for the average donor to replace this loss of iron from the diet. Taking a donation from a person with a haemoglobin concentration below the recommended value may make them anaemic.

  The lower haemoglobin acceptance limits apply only to plasmapheresis donors who will only donate plasma by apheresis. If it is anticipated that red cells or platelets will be collected during the procedure the donor must be assessed against the limits for all other component donors above.

  Component donors giving double units of red cells lose twice as much iron and so it is even more important that they start with a good haemoglobin concentration.

Regulatory information

  Part of this entry is a requirement of the Blood Safety and Quality Regulations 2005.

Reason for change:
  The entry has been revised to include guidance on assessing transgender and non-binary donors. The See if Relevant section has been revised.
Version details:

  WB-DSG Edition 203 Release 70 (18 April 2024)

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