Hemochromatosis probands as blood donors

BACKGROUND: There has been no estimate of the potential eligibility of hemo chromatosis probands or patients as blood donors or the suitability for tra nsfusion of their blood that was removed by therapeutic phlebotomy. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: According to guidelines of the American Associati on of Blood Banks, a retrospective estimate of these factors in 211 adult w hite hemochromatosis probands diagnosed during routine medical care was per formed. The findings were compared to those in volunteer white whole-blood donors. RESULTS: Before diagnosis of hemochromatosis, 49 probands had voluntarily d onated 597. units of blood; 88 percent were donated by men. After diagnosis , 142 (67%) of 211 probands were potentially eligible. Data on each unit re moved during iron-depletion therapy and during the first year of maintenanc e therapy (therapeutic phlebotomy) were available in 86 eligible probands. Of 1592 units, 1029 (65%) obtained during iron-depletion therapy in eligibl e probands were potentially suitable; 86 percent were from men. During main tenance therapy, 106 (88%) of 121 units from eligible probands were potenti ally suitable. In volunteer donors,255,567 (94%) of 273,302 presenting dono rs 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 percentag e of units obtained from patients during iron-depletion therapy that are su itable for transfusion is also lower, although the percentage increases dur ing maintenance therapy.