Do you know your blood type?

[AnneLovesGilbert]

DH didn’t have a clue but had a blood test at the GP today so asked in passing and was told they don’t have it on your digital records and despite having had two operations last year they don’t know. He’d never thought to ask anyone before.

I always thought mine was the same as both my parents, found out from some paperwork before a surgery it was different.

Neither of us can give blood but maybe if you can you know through that?

I only found out mine 2 years ago when I was 39 and I started to give blood. I have forgotten it tho, so its obviously not important to me

I'm always a bit surprised that doctor's surgeries don't routinely retain blood type information.

I know mine, but only because I was told what it was when I was pregnant. Before that, it had never come up.

Can you have a completely different bloody type if both your parents are the same?

Apparently so. I called my mum to let her know and her first comment was “he’s definitely your dad, I promise”

I found mine out through donating blood

I think I remember being told O+ when pregnant

Otherwise I wouldn’t know.

Not a clue, and I see haematology every 12 weeks! Can't give blood

Yeah, ab+. Rare but not precious. But good for plasma donation

I've known since childhood but was brought up in another country. In the UK I've known since I started giving blood aged 18, plus also had it checked recently each time I was pregnant.

I don't know why it's not held centrally - with each pregnancy they did a blood test specifically to confirm my blood type... seems a bit of a waste to keep testing!

@RizzleRazzle

I found mine out through donating blood

Snap

Found mine out when I started donating blood - A+. Common as muck, but as my mother always said, the thing about having a common blood type is that lots of people need it.

My OH doesn't know his group but I know mine and DS's and we used a thing online that would give the possible groups and %

I was surprised that as I am B- and DS O+ assumed OH was either of these

The calculator said DS h as d a much bigger chance of being B and only a small chance of being O

@AnneLovesGilbert

Apparently so. I called my mum to let her know and her first comment was “he’s definitely your dad, I promise”

Quick google suggests that we all have two genes for blood (like eyes) and O is the recessive gene. So I'm A- but as DS is O-, I assume means that I have A and O genes and DH is OO.

Quite interesting actually as DD is same as me so I must have given DS my O gene but DD my A gene.

I also am reminded that I am supposed to be trying to sort out platelet donation as apparently A- is the most useful for this. It's a bit tedious as because DH and I were born in another country, for me to donate blood/platelets etc HE also needs to attend the first appointment for full screening. Which is just an annoying logistical nightmare.

I found mine out when I started donating blood (I no longer can do).
Yes, you can be a different blood group to your parents. A and B are dominant over O. Your parents could both be A, they could have each inherited a A gene from one parent and O from the other. Each could then pass the O onto you meaning you would be group O.
I think the blood.co.uk website may have more detailed information which is probably better worded too!

I only found out a couple of years ago when I was pregnant for the first time. Age 33. I had always wanted to know beforehand but wasn't sure how. It's not on birth certificates and suchlike which I think would be handy!

It is tested each time you might need a transfusion as a double check. Imagine if there was a mistake on some central data base and you got the wrong kind? Or you had a common name? It would be a catastrophe. Plus, each time you have a transfusion you stand the chance of developing rare antibodies that they also check for.

Your GP does not hold your blood type because they have no reason to know it. They would never ever be giving you a transfusion.

I only found mine out as it was on my maternity notes. I don't think it would be something routinely tested unless you had a reason to have it tested.

I’ve always known mine from being a teen, as a newborn I was tested for rhesus type as my mum was rhesus negative and my dad rhesus positive. As I inherited my mums blood group I was fine, but mum was given a card with the details. Being blood group O rhesus negative is much desired by the blood donation scheme, as people with it are universal donors - their plasma and blood cells can be given to anyone of any blood type. This is why they didn’t need to know your DH’s group, if they needed to give him blood, or your group. Blood donors will know their group.

I found out mine when pregnant too. I'm O- (universal donor) so planning on donating blood at some point.

They told me when I was pregnant, but I didn’t write it down and I have since forgotten what it was.

Yes. My brother had leukemia when we were children, so I was tested to see if I was a bone marrow match. Otherwise I wouldn't know ( and I give blood).

Found out from giving blood as did dh. I'm B negative and dh is A posituve

I only found out this year at 32 because I'm pregnant. I'm o+ which is really good as a universal donor but sadly I cant give blood.

I don't. I've tried to give blood a few times, and I've had a couple of operations, but I don't think I've ever known it.

Found mine out from giving blood, I agree it feels like something people should be told about themselves!

I only found out mine after a needing a blood transfusion. DP knows his because he was in the army