A BLOOD donor of 20 years standing fears that he will have to give up making donations because of new rules introduced by the EU.

The man, who asked not to be named, suggested that the changes could cause problems for the blood transfusion service by restricting the pool of potential donors still further.

He was turned away from the session in Broughty Ferry on Monday after being told that his level of haemoglobin (Hb)—the red pigment that transports oxygen in the blood—was too low to meet the new directive.

Donors have always been tested to ensure that their bodies will be able to cope with giving blood. However, whereas previously the acceptable level for men was 130g of Hb per litre of blood, the new rules call for 135g. The level for women has risen from 120g to 125g.

“I was told that I was borderline but, after another test, they said that I couldn’t give blood because I had a low level of haemoglobin,” explained the bemused donor.

“I have been a blood donor for more than 20 years without any problems and apparently the level isn’t abnormally low in health terms, it’s just too low to give blood.

“I was told that I shouldn’t try to give blood again for six months. I will try again then but, if it turns out that this level is normal for me, it looks like I’ll have to give up donating,” he went on.

Deputy national donor services manager Moira Eadie said that the rule changes, introduced in November, were part of a move to standardise collection procedures across Europe.

While this has led to a rise in the haemoglobin level required of donors, other criteria have been relaxed.

For example, she continued, the upper age limit has been raised to 66 for new donors and patients who are stable on some medications may be able to donate, when they couldn’t under the old rules.

Details of the changes are being sent to donors with their call-up letters, she said. In addition, all potential donors who fail to meet the Hb requirement are being given leaflets and advice on diet.

“A very minor change of diet could mean that they will be able to donate next time,” she explained.

“However, it is difficult when it is a donor like this gentleman who has been giving blood for years. We obviously don’t want to lose donors who have been regular and faithful.”

Nevertheless, the main problem facing the service at the moment is the post holiday slump in donors, she went on.

“The demand for blood rises at this time of year, but the number of donors falls,” she said.

“We had marvellous support before Christmas and all the hospitals were really well supplied.

“However, there are a lot of minor illnesses around at the moment, such as colds and tummy bugs, which prevent people from giving blood, so we would ask donors who are fit and healthy to please try to keep their appointments.