Restless legs, dangerous donations - blood donation aggravates restless legs syndrome - Brief Article

Nutrition Health Review, Summer, 2003

Donating blood is a great way to help maintain the nation's blood supply, but patients with a certain sleep disorder might be doing harm to themselves. Restless legs syndrome is a condition in which a person's legs feel extremely uncomfortable unless they are moved. Iron deficiency can cause or worsen the condition.

In a study published in the January 2003 issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings, researchers examined 245 patients and tracked their progress. Of the group of 245, eight were blood donors and had donated at least three times a year over a five-year period. During the study, the participants were not allowed to donate blood and were treated with iron supplements. Six of the eight agreed to take a drug designed to control their symptoms.

Over the course of the study, three of the eight blood donors stopped experiencing symptoms of restless legs syndrome and five experienced a marked improvement.

Patients with restless legs syndrome who give blood regularly are advised to see their physicians about possible adverse effects.