Blood Type

westburygirl

Please move if in wrong forum

thankfully i've never had cause to have ever been in hospital.......(jinxed myself now!) But due to a recent family diagnosis (not too serious) i'm curious to know what blood type i am. I've been told though that my doctor isn't allowed to test for no reason. is there any way to find out ?
It's not urgent that i know, but i'm just interested?

biko

Afaik you can have a test done with no other reason than that you want to know. The info is handy if you are in an accident or similar.

Go to a blood bank and have them test you, it's free. You might have to start giving blood though

Bluetonic

Go and donate blood

1) It's a good thing to do
2) You'll find out your bloody type
3) It'll cost you nothing

www.ibts.ie/Where_to_Give_Blood/

<crossed with above!>

username123

Bluetonic wrote: »

Go and donate blood

1) It's a good thing to do
2) You'll find out your bloody type
3) It'll cost you nothing

www.ibts.ie/Where_to_Give_Blood/

<crossed with above!>

I have donated blood on a number of occasions and they never managed to tell me my blood type - they do however manage to send me the reminders so dont know how that works!!

Beruthiel

Back in the day when I started giving blood they sent me a card with my blood type on it.

username123

Beruthiel wrote: »

Back in the day when I started giving blood they sent me a card with my blood type on it.

That is what they promised me on each occasion - after donating enough blood to refill a few people should they lose theirs I gave up asking for my card.

cute_cow

Bluetonic wrote: »

Go and donate blood

1) It's a good thing to do
2) You'll find out your bloody type
3) It'll cost you nothing

www.ibts.ie/Where_to_Give_Blood/

<crossed with above!>

I gave blood for the first time in 2002 and received a card with my blood type, B Rh Positve.

I agree with Bluetonic, go and give blood!!

muboop1

username123 wrote: »

I have donated blood on a number of occasions and they never managed to tell me my blood type - they do however manage to send me the reminders so dont know how that works!!

i got sent a red card with my name and all on it so i dont have to fill out as many forms when i go. on thsi card it has my blood type!

metrovelvet

I dont know my son's blood type. The pediatrician said there is no point in knowing it because if you get into a situation where you need a transfusion they will test you any way. And they will test you even if you say you know your blood type in case you are wrong.

dudara

I do not want to see any more links to devices for home testing of blood type.

dudara

miss no stars

OP, what age are you?

When I was under 18 I asked for a test to be done so I could see what blood type I am but was told no. The explanation I got was that if "mammy" has blood type B+ and "daddy" has blood type A+ and then muggins here ended up with type O-, I would be finding something out that my parents had decided not to tell me perhaps until I was older, or maybe at all, or did "daddy" even know at all?

That's basically why I was told that they couldn't test for it unless there was a reasonable explanation. Given that you were told the same thing it leads me to believe you're under 18. If you're not, ignore all this :P

Scarinae

I was told my blood type when I first gave blood. It is a worthwhile thing to do if you are eligible

congo_90

I can't give blood as last year I contracted a virus thats in my bloodstream for life quite sad cos i always wanted to donate at least once a year.

As others said, Go to your GP and get it checked out

Adam

am i making crap up or is it not on your birth cert?? i'm nearly sure it is...

tbh

it's not

westburygirl

miss no stars wrote: »

OP, what age are you?

When I was under 18 I asked for a test to be done so I could see what blood type I am but was told no. The explanation I got was that if "mammy" has blood type B+ and "daddy" has blood type A+ and then muggins here ended up with type O-, I would be finding something out that my parents had decided not to tell me perhaps until I was older, or maybe at all, or did "daddy" even know at all?

That's basically why I was told that they couldn't test for it unless there was a reasonable explanation. Given that you were told the same thing it leads me to believe you're under 18. If you're not, ignore all this :P

I Wish ! unfortunately it's a while since i was 18 ! no i'm 33. are you trying to say my daddys not my daddy but my daddy doesn't know !!!!:);)
can i literally walk in off the street and give blood. i checked out the site briefly.......i don't need to register or anything do i. I've always wanted to give blood, for reasons other than knowing my type but i have images of getting a nurse who couldn;t find a vein and ripped me to shreds ! i'm nearly positive (excuse pun)its not on your birth cert. thanks all for help x
OP

tbh

westburygirl wrote: »

I Wish ! unfortunately it's a while since i was 18 ! no i'm 33. are you trying to say my daddys not my daddy but my daddy doesn't know !!!!:);)
can i literally walk in off the street and give blood. i checked out the site briefly.......i don't need to register or anything do i. I've always wanted to give blood, for reasons other than knowing my type but i have images of getting a nurse who couldn;t find a vein and ripped me to shreds ! i'm nearly positive (excuse pun)its not on your birth cert. thanks all for help x
OP

I get regular blood tests done as part of my diabetes and the last time (couple of weeks ago) I asked the lady taking my blood if she knew what my blood type was. She said she didn't, as they are not allowed to test unless specifically requested. She said I could ask my GP to order a test. You literally can walk in off the street to give blood, there are a couple of things that would exclude you - like if you've done class A's in the last year (?) or if you lived in the UK for a period of time, but other than that you should be fine.

shellyboo

westburygirl wrote: »

can i literally walk in off the street and give blood. i checked out the site briefly.......i don't need to register or anything do i.

Nope, you can just walk into the donation clinic on D'Olier St... the Stillorgan one is appointment only, but all the mobile units are walk-in.

Some tips to make sure you can actually give blood when you go:

> Don't go during your period, since your iron will probably be too low.
> Make sure you eat decently the few days beforehand to keep your iron up, and have a good meal at least an hour before you go to the clinic.
> Don't go if you feel run down or ill - that includes a cough or a sniffle or a sore throat - since they won't let you donate.
> Don't take any drugs (prescription or otherwise!) for a few days beforehand, since some medication can disqualify you from donating.
> Wear something that you can roll up the sleeves on!! I forgot to do this once and had to change into scrubs, v embarrassing!

sam34

shellyboo wrote: »

> Don't take any drugs (prescription or otherwise!) for a few days beforehand, since some medication can disqualify you from donating.

i wouldnt recommend just stopping prescription meds for a few days on the chance they might preclude her from donating blood.

it might be very dangerous for someone to stop meds suddenly.

If someone is on meds and wishes to donate, a quick phonecall to the IBTS and/or GP would be the sensible option.

anyway, very few meds would cause any problems in donating.

shellyboo

sam34 wrote: »

i wouldnt recommend just stopping prescription meds for a few days on the chance they might preclude her from donating blood.

it might be very dangerous for someone to stop meds suddenly.

If someone is on meds and wishes to donate, a quick phonecall to the IBTS and/or GP would be the sensible option.

anyway, very few meds would cause any problems in donating.

Well obviously :rolleyes:

I meant that you may be precluded from donating if you're on prescription meds, not that she should stop taking them in order to give blood.

sam34

shellyboo wrote: »

Well obviously :rolleyes:

I meant that you may be precluded from donating if you're on prescription meds, not that she should stop taking them in order to give blood.

but your exact words were:

shellyboo wrote: »

> Don't take any drugs (prescription or otherwise!) for a few days beforehand, since some medication can disqualify you from donating.

it was a bit more than imparting the information that some drugs can preclude you from donating.

*Tripper*

I'd love to give blood actually but could anyone confirm if its painful? I have a pretty high pain threshold ie. got stitches awhile ago without anesthetic and it wasn't to bad.

shellyboo

*Tripper* wrote: »

I'd love to give blood actually but could anyone confirm if its painful? I have a pretty high pain threshold ie. got stitches awhile ago without anesthetic and it wasn't to bad.

I've never found it to be... a pinch like a normal injection, then a bit of discomfort having the needle in your arm, but it only takes 10-20 mins or so.

username123

*Tripper* wrote: »

I'd love to give blood actually but could anyone confirm if its painful? I have a pretty high pain threshold ie. got stitches awhile ago without anesthetic and it wasn't to bad.

No - its dead easy, doesnt hurt, but you do feel a small bit whoozy afterwards. We used to go to donate while students cos they gave you free beer afterwards and with the pint of blood missing youd be locked very quickly. They also gave cakes and biscuits and crisps - dont know if they still do.

Some people dont like to give for squeamish reasons, one of my friends got the needle in and within seconds went green and they had to detach him and let him be - it was psychological.

Valmont

I'm almost certain they tell everyone their blood type.
I'm O- so they hound me night and day with texts, phone calls, emails, and letters. They called me up last year a day before I was going away for the summer to tell me that I came up as a positive match for a sick girl somewhere (they didn't tell me the details). I still feel really bad and this was over a year ago:(

sorry for off topic.

EDIT: While giving blood you will have some of the most inane conversations with the operators/supervisors (?) as they have to keep chatting to stop you drifting off to sleep. I always bottle up and watch them squirm, haha.

dny123456

i think I might be o- too... several of my family are. Went to blood bank to find out, and to give blood, like the OP. The wouldn't take my blood as I'm gay

:-(

Was a bit embarrassing.

miss no stars

Giving blood doesn't hurt

However, I do still have a mark on my arm from the needle and that was about 9 months ago :eek:

LegacyUser

tbh wrote: »

there are a couple of things that would exclude you - like if you've done class A's in the last year (?) or if you lived in the UK for a period of time, but other than that you should be fine.

Why would living in the UK for a period of time prevent you from giving blood!?. I'm living here.... is there some disease floating around the air here that affects one's blood or something!?

OP- can you just get a regular blood check up done?. I wanted to check out my iron/ sugar/ cholesterol levels before and got one (although I'm not sure if blood type was included- surely they'd be able to tell you!)

Thoie

For those interested in donating blood, there's a "quiz" called "Can I give blood?".

It asks you the same questions that you will fill in on the form when you go in. There's an FAQ on the IBTS site as well.

I hate needles, and I manage it - just let them know in advance and they'll tell you when to close your eyes. The most painful bit of the whole process is the initial pin prick for haemoglobin testing at the beginning - that's a pinch on your finger.

To the OP, the staff in the blood clinics are taking blood all day every day - they're very good at finding veins - they do about 10 people an hour and could probably find a vein in a mouse with their eyes closed

cuckoo

Thoie wrote: »

To the OP, the staff in the blood clinics are taking blood all day every day - they're very good at finding veins - they do about 10 people an hour and could probably find a vein in a mouse with their eyes closed

Agreed - i have very shy veins whenever someone comes near me with a needle, but the staff in the blood clinic can find one quickly and it never hurt.

Re. donating while on medication - you still can while on lots of drugs, i've donated while taking the contraceptive pill. There's a question on the pre donation checklist about it, and the staff go over it with you. You can also ring up the IBTS in advance and they'll be able to tell you on the phone if you're ok to donate.

If they don't send you out a card with your type the next time you go in to donate a form is printed up once you give your name and details at the counter. It'll have your blood type on it - you could probably see it as the staff are ticking boxes on it (eg after the iron level check), or you could just ask.

sam34

livinginuk wrote: »

Why would living in the UK for a period of time prevent you from giving blood!?. I'm living here.... is there some disease floating around the air here that affects one's blood or something!?
QUOTE]

it's to do with the risk of exposure to BSE

tbh

livinginuk wrote: »

Why would living in the UK for a period of time prevent you from giving blood!?. I'm living here.... is there some disease floating around the air here that affects one's blood or something!?

OP- can you just get a regular blood check up done?. I wanted to check out my iron/ sugar/ cholesterol levels before and got one (although I'm not sure if blood type was included- surely they'd be able to tell you!)

sorry - the question they ask is:

Have you spent one year or more in total/cumulatively in the UK* between 1980 and 1996, including living, working or on holidays?

I think it's because of BSE.