Blood Types: Why Knowing Your Type is Critical and How to Find It

Among all the information stored in your mental archive, there is knowing what you have Blood type Something you can remember quickly? Maybe not, this knowledge could be important In critical moments or when you need to fill out medical documents.

Two years ago, I was filling out an application to volunteer at a children’s hospital, and on the form I was asked to provide my blood type. Fortunately, I knew off the top of my head that I was type O-positive, but I wanted documentation to confirm this information. I called my mom to see if my blood type was listed on my birth certificate, but no luck. I checked my doctor’s health portal – no luck either.

This made me wonder: How can someone find out their blood type if they don’t already know it?

You are not alone if you have no idea what your blood type is. According to a 2019 CBS News poll, Only 66% of Americans reported knowing their blood type. Looking at your blood type can be vital to understanding your health, including yours Heart health – And save your life in emergency situations – It is important to know the type of blood running in your veins. The good news is that find out your Blood type Relatively simple, and you have options. Here are three easy ways to find out your blood type.

Blood type basics

Blood types are classified into one of these eight groups: A-positive, A-negative, B-positive, B-negative, O-positive, O-negative, AB-positive, AB-negative. But what determines blood type and what does this blood type mean?

Blood types are determined by antigens — a substance that triggers an immune response — on the surface of red blood cells. There are ABO antigens, which determine ABO blood groups. This is determined by the ABO gene. For example:

• Type A The blood group has A antigen
• Type B The blood group has B antigen
• Type AB The blood group contains A and B antigens
• Type O They do not produce any A or B antigen

There are also rhesus (Rh) antigens, which determine whether the blood is “positive” or “negative.” If you have Rh proteins on the surface of your red blood cells, you are Rh positive. If you don’t have Rh proteins on the surface of your red blood cells, your blood is Rh negative.

How do you find your blood type?

Here are three main ways to have your blood typed:

• Ask your doctor for a blood test
• Donate blood
• Use an at-home blood test

1. Clinical testing

One of the easiest and most effective ways to determine your blood type is to have your doctor perform a test. The professional will draw blood and then perform two tests on the blood sample: forward typing and reverse typing.

During forward typing, the blood sample is mixed with antibodies against blood types A and B. Based on whether blood cells stick together when mixed with antibodies, your blood type can be determined from there. If your blood cells stick together when they combine with antibodies against blood type B, you have type B blood. If your blood cells stick together when they combine with antibodies against blood type A, you have type A blood.

To confirm the result, the next step is reverse typing, which means that a blood sample that does not contain red blood cells – called serum – is mixed with type A and type B blood cells. Blood type A will have antibodies against type B blood in the sample. , while blood type B will have antibodies against blood type A. blood type O will have antibodies against blood type A and type B. Therefore, if adhesion occurs when the serum mixes with type B blood cells, You have type A blood, and if the agglutination occurs when the serum mixes with type A blood cells, you have type B blood.

I recommend contacting your doctor’s office to find out how much a blood type test costs and whether or not insurance covers it.

2. Blood donation

This is an easy and free way to determine your blood type, but the results are not immediate.

If you donate to a blood drive, you can simply ask the staff about your blood type. The blood test is usually not done right away, so it may take up to a few weeks to get results.

3. Blood test at home

Home tests are relatively straightforward. You will usually start by wiping your finger with an alcohol wipe and then you will be asked to prick your finger with a disposable scalpel to draw blood. Then, you will scan the blood onto the card provided. Depending on how dry, clumpy or spread the blood is, you’ll be able to compare the blood stain to a score card. Within minutes, you will be able to determine your blood type.

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