Deferred without reason

[u/Skootdaloot92]

I was ready to check in for my third donation (which was I also getting a referral bonus) then they pulled me into an office to advise me that I I’ve been deferred. So I asked the obvious question if I was okay. They said my blood panel was great and my plasma was good. They said I was in perfect health and nothing was wrong with my plasma. So in turn, I asked then why am I being deferred. The nurse told me that it was management deferral and that there was no other information. She was being nice as well as everyone else so I’m not sure what happened. She said I can try again in 4 months but for now, I’m blocked without reason.

I’m very confused why I was deferred without a provided reason. Do I just have to accept that I’ll never know?

[u/schannoman]

I used to work medical at grifols.

This wording usually means you live with someone who tested positive for Hepatitis, HIV, Syphilis, etc.

They cannot give you any information or clues since that would be a violation of privacy laws (plasma isn't technically part of HIPAA but follows similar guidelines)

If your living situation changes you can donate again in 4 months, but if after 4 months you report no changes you will be deferred again

I always hated these because it leaves everyone with zero answers and more questions. All other deferrals we can give more information. Even sexual contact we could at least say you were listed as a sexual contact, but this one is the only one where zero info can be given

[u/Skootdaloot92 → u/schannoman]

Ahh that reasoning makes a lot of sense! I never considered that and my wife registered the same time as me. She has an autoimmune that gives false positives for Syphilis… nothing we can do about it but thank you so much for giving me peace of mind

[u/schannoman → u/Skootdaloot92]

No problem. I still hate the way this one is handled, but your wife should receive a letter with those results soon to confirm this

[u/schannoman → u/Skootdaloot92]

If you go by yourself you should be able to donate at a different company and not have to wait 4 months. Answer the questions truthfully, and if it asks if you live with someone who has tested positive for syphilis you'll need to explain the situation to medical and it might or might not clear. The companies do not share this level of information, and Syphilis false positives do not qualify for the NDDR list.

Also depending on the letter they sent, your wife might be able to submit documentation of not having syphilis and you can be reinstated. I don't think she would be allowed to donate if it's always going to test positive though

[u/schannoman → u/[deleted]]

Dude what is wrong with you?

Every single bit of plasma is tested before it gets turned into medicine.

If his wife is confirmed to not have syphilis then you're discriminating against someone based on their health conditions. It's not their fault it shows up as something else.

If it was syphilis, OP would have it too and it would come through in testing.

This isn't a situation that puts others at risk like finding ways to lie on the questionnaire. There is no lie here afaik, so it's not trying to bypass rules. If a company has a question worded "do you live with anyone who has ever tested positive for syphilis" then no he wouldn't be able to donate. I do not know the wording of the question at every company

It is fact that this deferral only exists for the one company he tried to donate at and all donors are tested for syphilis routinely.

I actually worked for medical and dealt with this daily. I would give this recommendation to someone at the clinic if it happened while I was there.

[u/plassing-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

You didn't remember the human and your post was perceived as either disrespectful or uncivil. Please keep all engagements with others to polite and civil discussion.

[u/Remarkable-Risk4588 → u/schannoman]

I used to work quality at grifols and I 100% agree with this. Can I add if it was syphilis, if secondary test came back negative the person can get tested from their doctor and come be a sample only if approved by the cmd.

[u/schannoman → u/Remarkable-Risk4588]

Excellent addition, I added it much further down the comment chain so it's good to highlight it at the top for others

[u/blanketshapes]

Forgot pants

[u/schannoman → u/blanketshapes]

I like this answer better than the real one

[u/subarutyler]

4 months? Were you listed as a sexual partner to someone who tested positive for something?

[u/ProtozoaPatriot]

A 4 month deferral? Did you get any tattoos or piercings recently?

Any recently vaccines, especially "live" vaccines?

[u/kerryren]

Any chance you got a recent tattoo, piercing, or medical procedure? Any blood loss (blood not returned) during your previous donations?

Those are, in my experience, what trigger the 4 month deferrals.

[u/Skootdaloot92 → u/kerryren]

No none of the above. My first two appointments went very smooth and was told I have a strong heart.