What Disqualifies You From Donating Plasma?
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Getting disqualified from donating plasma is also known as getting a deferral.
And did you know that 1 out of 10 people who try to donate their plasma get disqualified due to deferrals?
Before you donate plasma, it’s crucial to understand the different ways you may be disqualified from making a donation.
To help save you time and disappointment, we share common and uncommon reasons plasma companies like BioLife, Octapharma, CSL, and more, will give deferrals to plasma donors.
Whether you’re a new or returning plasma donor, you will be legally required to pass a physical health screening on your first visit and answer a health screening questionnaire before every donation afterwards.
In this article, we’ll cover the difference between temporary and permanent deferrals, common reasons plasma donors get deferred, medications that may lead to deferrals, and more.
Disclaimer: Please note that each plasma donation center may be slightly more or less strict with their deferral standards. We always recommend contacting and visiting your plasma center for additional information. We are NOT medical professionals or doctors, just community of experienced plasma donors from all over the country.
What is a Temporary Deferral?
If you visit a plasma donation center and get a temporary deferral, this means that you are disqualified from donating plasma at your local plasma donation centers.
Every temporary deferral will last depending on the reason you were disqualified.
A deferral can last one day, or six months.
For example, if you received a temporary deferral because you recently got a new tattoo, then most plasma donation centers will require you to heal fully for 3-4 months after you receive a tattoo.
The best way to know how long your temporary deferral lasts is to ask your local plasma center staff and follow-up every month.
What reasons cause a Temporary Deferral when donating plasma?
There are several reasons you may receive a temporary deferral.
Common reasons you may be temporarily deferred include:
- You drank alcohol the day of your donation
- You show signs of dehydration the day of your donation
- You have flu-like symptoms from a recent vaccination or immunization
- You have severe acne and skin lesions the day of your donation
- You got a tattoo or piercing in the last 3–4 months
- You are pregnant or were pregnant within the last 6 months
- You are taking antibiotics (This is case-by-case and may not present any issues)
- You have COVID-19
- You have high-blood pressure (this depends, some centers require you to stay within a range of systolic 90–180 and diastolic 50–100)
Uncommon reasons you may be temporarily deferred include:
- You donated double-red blood cells within the last 8 weeks
- You are currently taking Ozempic
- You have uncontrolled diabetes (which may lead to a permanent deferral, depending on your case)
- You had a biopsy performed in the last 4-weeks
- You are taking a blood thinner
- Human-derived growth hormones
In most cases, medication is totally acceptable and will not lead to a deferral. However, this is case-by-case and depends on what type of medication you’re taking and any symptoms you’re experiencing.
People with autoimmune disease, like Crohn’s, may be eligible to donate but may also require a physician approval.
What is a Permanent Deferral?
If you visit a plasma donation center and get a permanent deferral, this means that you are forever ineligible to donate plasma at any plasma center in the country.
Compared to plasma donors with a temporary deferral, people with a permanent deferral will have very little to zero chance at regaining their donor status, regardless of the plasma donation company or location.
What reasons cause a Permanent Deferral when donating plasma?
A few reasons you may be permanently deferred include:
- You currently have cancer or are in remission (This may be a temporary deferral or may require approval from a physician)
- You have lupus or are in remission
- You have had deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- You are marked positive for syphilis
- You have HSV 1 and active lesions
- You’re currently testing HIV positive
Some medications are known to make you permanently ineligible to donate plasma, including:
- Plavix
- Blood thinners
- Unlicensed vaccines
Tips To Avoid Deferrals When Donating Plasma
The majority of the time, getting deferred is a decision made by healthcare professionals for your safety.
However, in rare cases, donors across the country have reported that they were temporarily deferred at their local plasma donation center for medications and reasons not listed in their deferral list.
For example, we found plasma donors who were deferred for taking anti-depressant medication, having an inhaler, and more.
If you get deferred for controversial reasons, it’s recommended to either speak to the lead supervisor about your medication not being shown on the list, or simply visit another plasma donation center of a different brand for a confirmation of your deferral.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are plasma deferrals?
Getting a plasma deferral means you are disqualified from donating plasma.
This can be caused by various reasons and for a temporary or permanent amount of time.
If you're deferred from donating at one plasma center, can you donate plasma somwhere else?
Yes, in most cases you can donate plasma somewhere else, but this will depend on your deferral.
If you were temporarily deferred, you can visit a different plasma company to apply as a donor. In many cases, you will be accepted if you meet their deferral guidelines standrd and policies.
If you received a permanent deferral from, for example, BioLife Plasma Services, then you are forever disqualified from donating at any BioLife in the country.
However, you may visit a different plasma donation center, for example, Octapharma Plasma, and apply as a donor in hopes to avoiding a deferral entirely.
Once exception is if you are marked in the National Donor Deferral Registery (NDDR), in which case every plasma center in the country will know that you have been permanently deferred. This is typically only the case for donor applicants who tested positive for HIV or Hepatitis.
How will I know if I'm deferred from donating plasma?
The only way to confirm if you are deferred from donating plasma is to apply and get a physical health screening at your local plasma donation center in person.
If you’re a new donor, don’t always assume that all plasma donation centers will defer you (even if you read it here, or other places online).
When in doubt, schedule an appointment or walk-in to a plasma center near you.
Can I donate plasma on birth control?
Can I donate if I have tattoos?
Yes, you may donate plasma if you have tattoos that have healed for at least 4 months or longer.
Otherwise, you may be deferred at your local plasma donation center.
Can I donate if I have diabetes?
Yes, you may donate plasma if you have diabetes if it is well controlled and you have no symptoms.
However, this will depend on the severity of your diabetes and your local plasma donation center’s assessment of your condition.
Can I donate if I have herpes?
No, you may not donate plasma if you have herpes with active lesions.
You must wait until it is well controlled and you have no symptoms.
This will depend on the severity of your Herpes and your local plasma donation center’s assessment of your condition.
Can I donate if I have a cold?
You may still donate plasma id you have a cold, but most centers recommend to wait if you don’t feel well or are experiencing flu-like symptoms.
Can I donate while I'm on my period?
Yes, it’s totally acceptable to donate plasma while on your period.
