Findings were published today in the journal Neurology. Ready to Find Out Your Blood Type? Schedule Your Blood Donation Today. A blood type lab test identifies certain inherited substances (antigens) that may be present on the surface of red blood cells and classifies them into four common groups: A, B, AB, or O, and is known as the ABO system. A person’s blood type may be linked to their risk of having an early stroke, according to a new meta-analysis led by University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) researchers. You may be surprised by the results! You don’t need to know your blood type before you donate blood. You can give your blood to anyone without triggering their immune system, but you can only receive type O blood.Whether it's your first donation or your 50th, ask about your blood type at your next appointment. If you have type O blood, which has no antigens, you’re considered a universal donor. However, you can only donate blood to other people who have type AB blood. This means you’re a universal recipient and you can receive any type of blood. If you have type AB blood, you have both A and B antigens. Whether your blood group is type A, B, AB or O is based on the blood types of your mother or father. Like your height and eye color, blood type is passed genetically from your parents. For example, some people have A positive blood while others have A negative blood, depending on whether this protein is present or absent. And if you have neither A nor B antigens, then you have an O blood type.Įach of these types are then further classified based on their Rh factor. If you have both A and B antigens, then you have an AB blood type. So, what does this really mean? Simply put, it means you have an A blood type if your blood has A antigens or a B blood type if you have B antigens. There is also a protein called the Rh factor, which can be either present (+) or absent (–), and this creates the eight most common blood types ( A+, A-, B+, B-, O+, O-, AB+, AB-). These are determined by the presence or absence of two antigens – A and B – on the surface of red blood cells. There are four major blood groups: A, B, AB and O. But blood also contains antigens that can trigger your immune system to attack transfused blood if it isn’t a compatible type. Sign up for CNN’s Life, But Better newsletter for information and tools designed to improve your well-being.Why is knowing your blood type important?Īll blood is made up of the same essential elements: red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma (the liquid portion of the blood that carries the other components). Get inspired by a weekly roundup on living well, made simple. These tests can be found online and cost more than traditional, at-home blood tests. This means that the test is effective for most, but not everyone. If you’ve donated in the past, you may be able to check your blood type on their website.įor those squeamish of needles, a saliva test can help you determine your blood type without having to draw blood.Ībout 80% of people secrete the same antigens that are in their blood in their saliva, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical & Diagnostic Research. After you’ve donated with the Red Cross, you’re given a blood donor card which will give you access to your blood type when they test it. When you donate blood, the blood goes through multiple tests, including blood type. For many at-home tests, results take only minutes. There are four major categories within the ABO group: A, B, O, and AB. Categorizing blood according to type is important for things like blood transfusions, which. ABO is the best-known system for grouping blood types, though there are other methods. If your blood lacks it, you have a negative blood type. If your blood contains the Rh D factorthe most prevalent and important of the Rh factorsyou have a positive blood type. The kit comes with a needle and a testing card to drop your blood on. Blood is further classified by its rhesus factor (aka, Rh factor). You can also purchase an at-home blood test online and have it shipped to your door. To request a blood test, visit your healthcare provider or a local health clinic. If you’ve had blood drawn in the past, you can call the lab to see if they have the information. Next time you go in to get your blood drawn, ask to know your blood type. You can also reach out to your health care provider, who may have that information on file. They may know or have old health records that include your blood type. Luckily, there are easy ways to find out your blood type.īefore you go out of your way to try any of the other methods, check with your parents first. Why do we have different blood types? Do they make us more vulnerable to Covid-19?Īccidental incompatible blood transfusions, while rare, can be dangerous, Borge said.

Bloodtype