Parathyroid disease - Whole blood and components

Essential information

Includes

• Primary, secondary and tertiary hyperparathyroidism
• Hypoparathyroidism
• Parathyroid adenomas and other tumours of the parathyroid glands

Obligatory

Must not donate if:

1. Under investigation or awaiting surgery
2. Associated with malignancy
3. Any underlying cause precludes donation (e.g. chronic kidney disease)

Discretionary

1. If the donor is well and has recovered from surgery for a benign parathyroid adenoma, and is not under specialist follow-up,
   
   Accept for whole blood or component donation.
   
   
   
2. If the donor has primary hyperparathyroidism, is well, and:
   1. Their calcium levels have been stable for at least 12 months, and
   2. They have no symptoms of hypercalcaemia, and
   3. The donor is not on treatment to control hypercalcaemia,
      
      Accept for whole blood donation only.
      
      
      
3. If the donor has hypoparathyroidism, is well, and:
   1. Their calcium levels have been stable for at least 12 months, and
   2. They have no symptoms of hypocalcaemia, and
   3. The underlying cause, if known, does not preclude donation,
      
      Accept for whole blood donation only.

Supporting information

See if relevant

• Impaired renal function
• Malignancy
• Surgery

Additional information

The parathyroid glands are usually located in the neck and secrete parathyroid hormone (PTH) which controls serum calcium levels through its actions on the skeleton, kidneys and small intestine. These disorders may be asymptomatic and identified by a low or high serum calcium result in routine blood testing. Other patients may present with symptoms of hypercalcaemia (e.g. thirst, abdominal pain, constipation, confusion) or symptoms of hypocalcaemia (e.g. paraesthesia, carpopedal spasm, tetany, anxiety and depression, renal stones, seizures).

Increased PTH levels (hyperparathyroidism) are often due to benign parathyroid tumours (adenomas) which may require surgery. Other causes include chronic kidney disease and genetic disorders.

Low PTH levels can occur after neck surgery (e.g. thyroidectomy) and will often resolve.

Individuals with hypocalcaemia may exhibit Trousseau’s sign (carpopedal spasm when a sphygmomanometer is inflated above systolic blood pressure). This is a marker of increased neuromuscular excitability. Sphygmomanometers and tourniquets used in blood donations do not apply this degree of pressure; donation should be stopped if the donor develops paraesthesia or carpopedal spasm.

Reason for change:

This is a new entry.

Version:

Parathyroid disease

Version details:

WB-DSG Edition 203 Release 82 (17 September 2026)