Donors of any age must weigh at least 7st 12lb (50kg) to give blood. There are some additional restrictions for female donors aged 17 to 19, depending on your height and weight.
For female donors aged 17 to 19:
- If you weigh at least 10st 3lb (65kg), you can give blood
- If you weigh at least 7st 12lb (50kg) and are over 5’6’’, you can give blood
- If you’re under 5’6’’ (168 cm) and under 10st 3lb (65kg), we need to know your height and weight before deciding if you can give blood.
You can check whether you’re eligible by using the chart in this leaflet. If your weight and height meet in a red area, you won’t be able to give blood this time.
Why are there different rules for young female donors?
Young female donors with a smaller build are more likely to feel faint after giving blood. We know that new donors who faint are less likely to come back, so rather than take any risks we ask these donors to wait until they are 20 before giving blood for the first time.
Height and weight chart for female blood and platelet donors between 17 and 19 years old
- If you are 149 cm (4’10”), you are not eligible to donate at any weight listed
- If you are 150 cm (4’11”), you must weigh 64 kg (10st 1lb) or more to donate
- If you are 151 cm (4’11.5″), you must weigh 64 kg (10st 1lb) or more to donate
- If you are 152 cm (5’0″), you must weigh 63 kg (9st 13lb) or more to donate
- If you are 153 cm (5’0.5″), you must weigh 62 kg (9st 10lb) or more to donate
- If you are 154 cm (5’1″), you must weigh 61 kg (9st 8lb) or more to donate
- If you are 155 cm (5’1.5″), you must weigh 61 kg (9st 8lb) or more to donate
- If you are 156 cm (5’2″), you must weigh 60 kg (9st 6lb) or more to donate
- If you are 157 cm (5’2.25″), you must weigh 59 kg (9st 4lb) or more to donate
- If you are 158 cm (5’2.75″), you must weigh 58 kg (9st 2lb) or more to donate
- If you are 159 cm (5’3″), you must weigh 57 kg (8st 13lb) or more to donate
- If you are 160 cm (5’3.25″), you must weigh 57 kg (8st 13lb) or more to donate
- If you are 161 cm (5’3.75″), you must weigh 56 kg (8st 11lb) or more to donate
- If you are 162 cm (5’4″), you must weigh 55 kg (8st 9lb) or more to donate
- If you are 163 cm (5’4.25″), you must weigh 54 kg (8st 7lb) or more to donate
- If you are 164 cm (5’4.5″), you must weigh 53 kg (8st 5lb) or more to donate
- If you are 165 cm (5’5″), you must weigh 52 kg (8st 3lb) or more to donate
- If you are 166 cm (5’5.25″), you must weigh 52 kg (8st 3lb) or more to donate
- If you are 167 cm (5’5.75″), you must weigh 51 kg (8st 0lb) or more to donate
- If you are 168 cm or taller (5’6″+), you must weigh 50 kg (7st 13lb) or more to donate
When can I try again?
This guideline only applies to female donors aged 17 to 19 who do not meet the weight and height criteria. As long as you weigh over 7st 12lb, you’ll be able to give blood as soon as you reach your 20th birthday.
If you’ve not been able to give blood this time, we know you might feel disappointed. However, we hope you’ll come back once these criteria are met. Thank you for your patience in waiting until then.
Want to know more?
If you have any questions, visit our website scotblood.co.uk or call us on 0345 90 90 999.
NATL 154 02 Published November 2020
Contact us
Telephone: 0345 90 90 999
Email: nss.snbtsenquiry@nhs.scot
Web: scotblood.co.uk
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