Home > Donating Blood > Eligibility Requirements > If you are not eligible
 Printable Version

If You're Not Eligible to Give Blood

If you were deferred, you can still make a difference. Most deferrals are temporary, and donors can plan their next donation right away. For extended or permanent deferrals, you can support the Red Cross mission in other ways.

Common Reasons for Deferrals

Deferral Reason #1

Low Hemoglobin / Hematocrit

The most common reason for a low hemoglobin, especially in women, is low iron stores (e.g., iron deficiency anemia). For their own safety, donors must have a certain level of hemoglobin (or hematocrit) to be able to donate. Hemoglobin levels vary daily, and you may return to donate the next day, provided your hemoglobin level is above the required threshold.

 Give Blood

What to Do

  • Increase your intake of iron-rich foods, such as meat, green vegetables, seafood and others.
  • Discuss taking an iron supplement with your healthcare provider.
  • While a hematocrit deferral is only for 24 hrs, we recommend waiting about a week before returning to donate.

Back to top

Deferral Reason #2

Cold, flu or other illness symptoms

For the safety of both donors and recipients, donors that do not feel well on the day of donation should not donate blood. Donors may return to donate 24 hours after all symptoms have cleared.

 Give Blood

What to Do

Back to top

Deferral Reason #3

Temporary deferrals

Some eligibility requirements, such as those related to some travel destinations or medications, may cause a temporary deferral for a period, such as three months or a year.

 Give Blood

What to Do

Back to top

Deferral Reason #4

Permanent deferrals

Eligibility criteria, such as certain medical conditions, may prevent you from being able to donate blood in general.

 Give Blood

What to Do

  • Spread the word that the need for blood is constant.
  • In the meantime, you can still support the blood donation cause:

Back to top