Can I donate blood if I have Gilbert’s syndrome?

Gilbert’s syndrome is an inherited condition often discovered by accident, such as when someone has a blood test. It occurs due to a defect in the processing of bilirubin by the liver. The syndrome may cause the skin and the whites of the eyes to have a yellow tinge due to the build-up of bilirubin. Gilbert’s syndrome is typically harmless and treatment isn’t required.

Can I donate blood if I have Gilbert’s syndrome?

This disease does not cause any harm to the donor or patient but raises a lot of concern as many severe disorders also manifest similarly. The available literature shows that all blood components can be used from donors suffering from GS. There should be introspection.

The study was done for 18 months and 7030 whole blood units were collected all the units were subjected to mandatory transfusion-transmitted screening and all the plasma bags which were icteric on visual inspection were subjected to hematological and biochemical investigations to rule out other causes of hyperbilirubinemia.