Polycystic kidney disease - Whole blood and components

Essential information

Obligatory

Must not donate if:

  1. Has any renal impairment
  2. Has hypertension or any other cardiovascular complications
  3. Has or has ever had anaemia due to their renal condition
  4. Requiring or has ever required to take a vasopressin V2-receptor antagonist, e.g. tolvaptan (Jinarc®, Samsca®)
  5. Requiring any other treatment including preventative antihypertensive treatment
  6. Is under or awaiting investigation
  7. Is under follow-up by a specialist
Discretionary

If the donor is well, and:

  1. Has normal renal function, and
  2. Does not have hypertension or any other cardiovascular disease, and
  3. Has never had anaemia due to their renal condition, and
  4. Is not under or awaiting investigation or results, and
  5. Is under GP monitoring only, and
  6. Does not require or has never required to take tolvaptan (Jinarc®, Samsca®), and
  7. Does not require any other treatment, including antihypertensives and analgesics and other medications used for pain relief, accept.

Supporting information

See if relevant
Additional information

Polycystic kidney disease is usually inherited.

Cysts can grow in size or number and affect renal function, usually in later life. When there is CKD stage 2 or 3 and evidence of rapidly progressing kidney disease, tolvaptan (Jinarc®, Samsca®) may be used to slow down the formation of cysts and to protect kidney function. Individuals on tolvaptan will usually be under hospital monitoring.

Cardiovascular complications of polycystic kidney disease include:

  • hypertension
  • subarachnoid haemorrhage
  • stroke

Other complications include:

  • renal impairment
  • renal stones
  • urinary tract infections, which may be persistent, severe, recurrent
  • cyst infections, which may require surgical drainage or kidney removal
  • pain requiring analgesia, usually paracetamol or opiates, sometimes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs). Anticonvulsants and antidepressants may be used for chronic pain.
  • cysts in other organs, most commonly the liver

Polycystic kidney disease can be associated with lower or higher than normal haemoglobin levels due to the effects of the condition and any associated chronic kidney disease on erythropoietin levels. Treatment for this effect may be required.

Reason for change:
New entry incorporating ‘Polycystic kidney disease’ section of the former ‘Kidney and bladder disease’ entry, expanded to include guidance relevant to the management, complications, medication and progression of the condition.
Version details:

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