The importance of knowing your blood type: 3 ways to know your type
[ad_1]
You may not know your blood typeAnd that could be a problem when it comes to your overall health. No matter your age or health, It is very important to know whether you are type A, B or O. Having this information can help you in an emergency or make filling out certain forms a little easier.
For example, I was recently filling out a volunteer application and was asked to provide my blood type. Luckily, I knew off the top of my head that I was O-positive, but I wanted to find documentation to confirm it. I called my mom to see if my blood type was listed on my birth certificate, with no luck. I checked my doctor’s health portal – no luck either.
How can someone know their blood type if they don’t already know it?
If you have no idea what your type is, you are not alone. According to a 2019 CBS News poll, Only 66% of Americans report knowing their blood type. Looking at your blood type can be vital to understanding your health, including your own Heart health – Save your life in an emergency – It is important to know the type of blood that is going in your veins. The good news is your knowledge 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 categorized 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 the 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 the ABO blood types. It is determined by the ABO gene. For example:
- something like Your blood group has the A antigen
- type b Your blood group has the B antigen
- Type AB The blood group contains both A and B antigens
- Type O It does 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 do not have Rh proteins on the surface of your red blood cells, your blood is Rh negative.
Blood types are categorized into one of these eight groups: A-positive, A-negative, B-positive, B-negative, O-positive, O-negative, AB-positive, AB-negative.
How do you type your blood?
Here are three main ways to type your blood:
- Ask your doctor to do a blood test
- Blood Donation
- Use a home blood test
1. Clinical test
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: a forward write and a reverse write.
During forward typing, the blood sample is mixed with antibodies against blood groups A and B. Based on whether the blood cells stick together when mixed with antibodies, your blood type can be determined from there. If your blood cells stick together when they mix with antibodies against type B blood, you have type B blood. If your blood cells stick together when they mix with antibodies against type A blood, you have type A blood.
To confirm the result, the next step is reverse typing, which means that a sample of blood that does not contain red blood cells — called serum — is mixed with type A and type B blood cells. Type A blood will have antibodies against type B blood in the sample. , while type B blood will have antibodies against type A blood. type O blood will have antibodies against type A and type B blood. So, if adhesion occurs when serum mixes with type B blood cells, you have type A blood, and if Adhesion occurred when serum mixed with type A blood cells, you have blood type B.
I recommend calling your doctor’s office to find out the cost of a blood type test and whether or not insurance covers it.
2. Donate blood
This is an easy and free way to determine your blood type, but the results are not instantaneous.
If you donate to a blood drive, you can simply ask the staff about your blood type. Blood is usually not tested right away, so it may take up to a few weeks to get results.
With household kits, you can determine your blood type in the comfort of your own home in just a few minutes.
3. Home blood test
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 on the card provided. Depending on how dry, clumpy, or spread the blood is, you’ll be able to compare the blood stain to your scorecard. Within minutes, you will be able to determine your blood type.
More to your health
[ad_2]
Source link
