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Original poster

Do you know your blood type?

205 replies

AnneLovesGilbert · 05/05/2021 15:02

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?

OP posts:
Finzi · 05/05/2021 16:46

@Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g, AB+ is the universal acceptor. O- means the absence of any major antigens that would cause a reaction in a recipient. Someone who is AB+ has the A the B and the Rhesus antigens on each blood cell so wouldn’t react to them if they were transfused with blood from an individual who has those antigens. Whereas O- people would react to every blood type except their own but can donate to anyone.

Linnet · 05/05/2021 16:46

@ivfgottwins

I do but only after I had an emergency c section and they had to have blood ready in case of a transfusion

My twins spent 3 weeks in intensive care - when they were discharged I asked about their blood types as mine happens to be one of the rarer ones and wanted to see if either of them had inherited it and despite lots and lots of blood tests being done on them they didn't do their blood group - apparently not a requirement and doctor said it's something that we don't really need to know unless its an emergency 🤷‍♀️

I thought all newborn babies were tested when born. My dd’s were both tested when born to find out their blood groups and the midwives told me.

I’m O- and found out when pregnant. My dh is also O- and so are both our dd’s.

KM38 · 05/05/2021 16:46

Also can’t give blood so have never known mine until first pregnancy last year - I’m B- 😊

Always interested me and I asked a few people a couple of years back when I was in hospital for a surgery - they kept taking a sample to type check and losing it and having to come for more 🙄😐 asked the nurse as I was going into theatre and the last thing I remember her saying was “it’s not on your notes actually - must be on the computer” 😅 I for sure thought I was a goner in that theatre 🙈🤣

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LockdownCheeseToastie · 05/05/2021 16:47

I was tested at birth (rh- mum), dh used to give blood. Bought kits online and tested the kits (needs a finger prick amount of blood). We’re all the same.

RamblingFar · 05/05/2021 16:48

I'm A+ with the Ro subtype. Found out through blood donation.

As the Ro subtype is a rare blood group and in demand, I donate blood every 16 weeks. It's needed by patients with sickle cell.

Oblahdeeoblahdoe · 05/05/2021 16:49

In some countries your blood group is recorded on your ID card or driving licence which is a great idea imo

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 05/05/2021 16:50

[quote Finzi]@Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g, AB+ is the universal acceptor. O- means the absence of any major antigens that would cause a reaction in a recipient. Someone who is AB+ has the A the B and the Rhesus antigens on each blood cell so wouldn’t react to them if they were transfused with blood from an individual who has those antigens. Whereas O- people would react to every blood type except their own but can donate to anyone.[/quote]
Thanks, @Finzi!

Jasmin82 · 05/05/2021 16:50

I don't know mine but, I'd guess that, as both my parents were O (not sure if + or -), mine would be the same.

Finzi · 05/05/2021 16:52

You’re welcome @Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g!

eekbumbler · 05/05/2021 16:53

Yes and no! Rhesus pos... But also have a card for O negative. 99% of time I test negative, but am actually positive with very weak D antigen.

No wonder the blood group diet didn't work!! (or Atkins, or South Beach, or Dukan, or SW) 🤣

Monkeybunkey · 05/05/2021 16:53

@RizzleRazzle

I found mine out through donating blood
Same here.
Gwenhwyfar · 05/05/2021 16:55

@RizzleRazzle

I found mine out through donating blood
Me too. I can't do it any more, but when this comes up on MN, I'm always surprised at how many people have apparently never given blood. I carry a card with my blood type on it, but apparently you get tested anyway if you need donor blood.
brushlaptop · 05/05/2021 16:56

Only found out when pregnant! No idea before then. No idea what my son is.

MorganSeventh · 05/05/2021 16:57

As far as I'm aware, it's not routinely put on things like birth certificates because it is one way of revealing the father may not be who he thinks he is (ie if both parents O and the child turns out to be A or B) which can put both mother and at risk of harm.

Know my type because of giving blood.

amylou8 · 05/05/2021 16:58

@AnneLovesGilbert

Mum said she and dad are both A+ so assumed all of us children were the same but I’m actually O+.
If your mum and dad are both A+ and you are O+ then their genotypes must both be AO. They have both passed the recessive O gene to you and your genotype is OO. You only had a 25% chance of an O phenotype with 2 AO parents.
Marmite27 · 05/05/2021 17:00

Yep, A+ K-k- (kell). DH is A+ K-k+. We knew the standard A+ due to blood donation and pregnancy. The kell stuff came up due to my second pregnancy. We needed foetal medicine doctors.

Rosmac · 05/05/2021 17:08

If he has had two previous ops it will probably be on the hospital computer system rather than your Gp computer system. Your GP can ring up on your behalf for any result

Alfaix · 05/05/2021 17:08

I’m B+ and DH A+. I wonder what DS is, he could be anything.

HopingForOurRainbowBaby · 05/05/2021 17:08

Yeah through donating blood

tywysoges · 05/05/2021 17:19

It’s a standard science fair project in my home country so I had it tested dozens of times Grin - I bought the home kit to do with my DD but she didn’t like the idea of the finger prick. DH doesn’t know his.

poppycat10 · 05/05/2021 17:22

There was a thread about this quite recently. I only know because I give blood (and in fact it was the reason I started donating when I was 18).

Some women find out when they are pregnant, but it's not on my notes, so it obviously depends on location.

poppycat10 · 05/05/2021 17:24

I'm always surprised at how many people have apparently never given blood Yes like my DH who has no medical reason not to at all. I also suggested ds sign up when he turned 18 but he won't either. I am not terribly impressed with either of them! Neither know their blood group.

Horehound · 05/05/2021 17:24

@Marmite27

Yep, A+ K-k- (kell). DH is A+ K-k+. We knew the standard A+ due to blood donation and pregnancy. The kell stuff came up due to my second pregnancy. We needed foetal medicine doctors.
What's this KK stuff?! Never heard of it
CadburyCake · 05/05/2021 17:25

Yes, because I had a transfusion as a very young child. Then confirmed again with each pregnancy.

ghostmouse · 05/05/2021 17:28

Since I was 18 and I gave blood
I'm o neg

Also had blood tested when I was pg.

All 4 of mine know thiers and always have. As 2 have o neg blood and 2 don't.

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