How To Know Your Blood Type

How do we figure out what blood type we have? Since some antigens can cause a patient’s immune system to attack the transfused blood, safe blood transfusions depend on careful blood typing and cross-matching. The presence of absence of specific antigens determine one’s blood type. These antigens are what triggers an immune response if they are foreign to the body.

How to Know Your Blood Type?

The presence or absence of two antigens, A and B, on the surface of red blood cells unveils what blood type an individual have among the four major blood types. In addition to the A and B antigens, there is a protein known as the RH factor, which can either be present (+) or absent (-). This results to humans having eight blood types namely A+, A-, B+, B-, O+, O-, AB+ and AB-

Once you know your ABO blood type, you can further identify your rhesus (RH) factor:

• RH-positive. If your red blood cells have RH antigens on their surface, you have rh-positive blood.
• RH-negative. If the red blood cells on the surface of your body lack RH antigens, you have RH-negative blood.

How to know your blood type? There are a number of ways you can determine your blood type, including:

• Visiting a physician and have your blood tested
• Visiting a medical facility or a lab that does blood testing
• Giving blood
• Purchasing a home test kit
• You can determine your blood type without having the experts draw your blood. That is if you fall into the category of individuals who secrete blood-group antigens in other body fluids.

How Do They Carry Out Blood Tests? 

Getting ready for a blood test

If there are any specific instructions you need to follow before your test, the healthcare provider who arranges for your blood test will let you know.

For example, depending on the type of blood test, you may be asked to:

• For up to 12 hours, refrain from eating or drinking anything (fasting) besides water. Learn more about consuming food and liquids prior to a blood test.
• Stop taking some medications
• It’s crucial that you go by the directions given to you because failing to do so could have an adverse effect on the exam’s outcome and necessitate postponing or repeating the test.

What transpires throughout a blood test?

Typically, a blood test requires drawing blood from an arm blood vessel.

The inside of the elbow or wrist, where the veins are quite close to the surface, is the typical location for a sample to be taken because it is an easy area of the body to uncover.

Blood samples from children are frequently obtained from the back of the hand. Before the sample is taken, the child’s skin may be numbed using a specific spray or lotion.

In order to take a sample, a tourniquet is typically wrapped tightly around the upper arm. This squeezes the arm, temporarily stopping the blood flow and causing the vein to enlarge.

The doctor or nurse will use an antiseptic wipe to clean the region of skin before obtaining the sample.

You may feel a tiny pricking or scratching sensation as the needle is inserted, but it shouldn’t be painful. A needle attached to a syringe or specific container is introduced into the vein. The syringe is used to pull out a sample of your blood. Tell the person taking the sample if you are uncomfortable with needles and blood so they can make you more comfortable.

A cotton-wool pad is used to apply pressure to the skin for a few minutes after the sample has been taken, after which the tourniquet will be loosened and the needle will be removed. A plaster may then be applied to the little wound to keep it clean.

Following the test

Since only a tiny amount of blood is drawn during the test, there shouldn’t be any noticeable side effects. However, some people experience lightheadedness and faintness both during and after the test. If this has happened to you in the past, let the test-taker know so they can make you feel more at ease.

You might have a small bruise where the needle was inserted after the test. Bruises might hurt, but they are typically benign and go away in a few days.

How to Know Your Blood Type at Home?

To determine one’s blood type, a person typically goes to a clinic or doctor’s office. There, a doctor or nurse takes a blood sample and sends it to a lab for testing. However, there are methods for detecting blood type at home. This includes:

• Using a blood sample
• Using a quick blood typing kit, a person can determine their blood type at home.
• The kit comes with a card that includes chemicals known as reagents, which test for the presence of antibodies and the RH factor. To use the kit, a person must prick their finger with a needle. The test results show a “clumping” of the blood when one or more blood type antibodies or the RH factor are present in the blood sample. Normally, if clumping does not occur, the person is o-negative.

Without the need for blood

A saliva sample may be used to determine a person’s blood type. Around 80% of people produce the necessary antigens in their saliva. A dried saliva sample can accurately determine a person’s blood type if they produce certain antigens, claims a 2018 research-reliable source.

Although not everyone secretes these antigens, and this method does not always indicate the presence or absence of the RH factor.

How to Obtain A Blood Type Test for Free

Blood donation can be a tool to determine a person’s blood type.

Blood is collected from volunteers by nonprofit organizations like the American Red Cross for use in hospitals and emergency circumstances all around the world.

For instance, by taking part in a blood drive, a person will donate 1 pint of blood, which can take 4-6 weeks to fully refill.

A donor card is subsequently given to the person, containing information about their blood type.

To give blood, a person does not have to be aware of their blood type.

Key Takeaways

Antigens, which are distinctive proteins located on the surface of red blood cells, help identify blood types. If you need a blood transfusion, are pregnant or intend to become pregnant, or will be a transplant donor or recipient, it’s crucial to know your blood type.

A straightforward blood test can determine your blood type, although it is not typically requested unless absolutely required. Home blood type testing kits are accessible and quick to get results, but they are exclusively meant for educational reasons.

Learn other General Health Knowledge here.