Kidney and bladder stones - Whole blood and components

Essential information

Includes

Renal colic, renal stones

Obligatory

Must not donate if:

  1. Symptomatic
  2. Under or awaiting investigation or results
  3. Under or awaiting follow-up by a specialist
  4. Requiring any treatment, procedure or medication
  5. Has an underlying cause that precludes donation
Discretionary

If the donor is well, and:

  1. Has normal renal function, and
  2. Investigations are complete, and
  3. Is under GP care only, and
  4. Is not requiring any treatment, including analgesics, and
  5. Is eligible following any procedure or surgery, and
  6. Any underlying cause does not preclude donation, accept.

Supporting information

See if relevant
Additional information

Most kidney stones are small enough to be passed out in the urine.

Renal colic is most commonly caused by solid material (crystals or a stone) passing through the tube that connects the kidney to the bladder (the ureter).

If a kidney stone is too big to be passed naturally, treatment to remove it may be required:

  • extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy
  • ureteroscopy
  • percutaneous nephrolithotomy
  • open surgery

Kidney stones may be due to an underlying medical condition, diet or medication, but are commonly associated with infection.

It is important to wait until the donor is fully recovered and any investigations have been completed. This should avoid a donation being taken from an individual with infection. Infection can lead to bacteria contaminating any donated material. This can be dangerous because bacteria can multiply to dangerous levels in the stored donation.

It is important to ensure that there is not an underlying cause that would prevent donation.

Reason for change:
New entry incorporating ‘Renal colic’ section of the former ‘Kidney and bladder disease’ entry, with addition of ‘Obligatory’ and ‘Discretionary’ criteria and ‘Additional information’.
Version details:

WB-DSG Edition 203 Release 81 (11 August 2026)