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Do you know your blood group?

(184 Posts)
Chestnut Sat 27-Mar-21 11:59:27

Well, do you? I don't understand why doctors won't test your blood group if you request it but apparently the only way you can find out is if you donate blood, which is not possible for everyone. I think that's unacceptable, everyone should have their blood group recorded on their medical record.
There are home test kits, not sure how accurate they are:
Home Test Kit

Ro60 Sun 28-Mar-21 12:32:38

I found out mine when I was studying Biology I still have the test card somewhere. I'm AB+ & so was my DB.
My DDs - found out when they were born - 1 : A+ & 1 : B+
It's a fascinating subject. Native Americans have a unique blood group RzRz.
In the Basque region many are rhesus negative.
In some countries their military Do have their blood group tattooed on them.

Sparkling Sun 28-Mar-21 12:30:47

I think it’s tested when you’re born isn’t it? I always knew mine.

Barmeyoldbat Sun 28-Mar-21 12:29:20

I was told after my first child was born that he was the same blood group as me, Group O Rsur Neg. and that I could go on to have a 2nd child as I would not have any antibodies against Positive blood. My daughter also has the same blood group and RN is known as the universal giver.

growstuff Sun 28-Mar-21 11:30:34

Chestnut

Growstuff I would never change my diet on the basis of a book like that.
But if the book told you that your group should avoid dairy or wheat, and you were in fact allergic or intolerant to that thing then you might think of checking it out a bit more.
I don't follow it absolutely, but I don't mind trying horseradish instead of pickle because it's probably better for me. Or eating berries instead of oranges which I prefer anyway.

But I don't see how antigens on blood cells can affect what one should eat. It just doesn't make sense to me, unless the science is explained. Sorry, but it just seems a good wheeze to write a book and make money, as isn't uncommon in the field of nutrition.

growstuff Sun 28-Mar-21 11:26:19

dragonfly46

It can be useful to know your blood group as there are certain diseases prevalent in the different blood groups.

Which ones?

I know there are more blood groups than the ABO and Rhesus ones, such as Ro, which is a subtype of the Rhesus group and can cause sickle cell anaemia.

However, are there are particular illness which have been scientifically proven to be associated with certain blood types using ABO categories?

People are highly unlikely to know they have a rare blood group, unless it affects them in some way.

Gwenisgreat1 Sun 28-Mar-21 11:23:48

Think I, too, am O positive. I was given a wee card after giving blood. Can't find that card to confirm, but did try to find out to confirm last year - even the hospital were I had recently been treated wouldn't tell me!!

henetha Sun 28-Mar-21 11:17:20

Yes. I'm O negative. I carry a card with me saying so.

Chestnut Sun 28-Mar-21 10:39:12

Here are the blood group combinations a child can have from their parents.

Trisha57 Sun 28-Mar-21 10:29:32

I'm A Rh -ve, and OH is O Rh -ve. We've both given blood so knew when I was pregnant that both babies would be Rh -ve. They still gave me the blooming injection, though. When I told the doctor that they couldn't be +ve as my husband was -ve, he said, with a very straight face, "With the greatest respect, you may know for sure who the father is but we don't"!!!!! That injection was the worst one I've ever had - it felt like treacle going into my bottom!!!! Strangely enough, both my parents and my three siblings are Rh +ve. It's OK though, my GP explained how that can happen so no doubts as to my parentage!

dragonfly46 Sun 28-Mar-21 10:16:47

It can be useful to know your blood group as there are certain diseases prevalent in the different blood groups.

Summerlove Sun 28-Mar-21 02:28:10

EllanVannin

Yes, I've known since 1960. It's O positive ( universal one )
D in Oz is A negative like her dad was.

O - is the universal one. Not O+

V3ra Sat 27-Mar-21 22:19:40

Mine is AB positive, which I found out when I was pregnant. My Mum (always argumentative!) said that can't be right as she was one type and Dad was another, and the two couldn't produce an AB child.... I said I'd stop there if I were you, otherwise what are you saying?? ?

I gave blood for several years and was quite proud that my blood group was specifically used for premature babies. Then I was told that wasn't the case anymore, because of the risk of AIDS, and the NHS was buying blood from the US instead. I was quite insulted ?

My husband is group O+ and has given 70 donations ?

MamaCaz Sat 27-Mar-21 22:04:09

I'm another who has known my blood group (A positive) ever since I was pregnant with my first child in 1981. I still have that yellow card with the info on it, but as yet, knowing it has never been of any use to me.

(I also memorised my NHS number at that time, and still remember it. I felt quite put out when I belatedly discovered that they have since been changed so it was no longer valid!)

gt66 Sat 27-Mar-21 21:40:32

Another O negative here. I found out mine when I was pregnant, in case I needed the injection. I didn't because DH is also O neg.

Grannyben Sat 27-Mar-21 21:29:57

Duffy negative here. There's not too many of us around.

TrendyNannie6 Sat 27-Mar-21 21:15:25

The only people I know who actually know their blood group are my friends that have been pregnant, as they all got blood card given to them as I did with the blood group printed on, mine was a green card in 1970s with a big red block straight through the middle stating AB Rhesus Neg this is a blood group not often found, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry! None of the men in my family have a clue what blood group they have, my daughter does as she’s a blood donor

PamelaJ1 Sat 27-Mar-21 20:28:33

My great grandmother died after she was given blood. That was back in the day before the Rhesus factor had been discovered.( either 1937 or 1940 depending on which article you read)
We presume she was given the wrong blood.
My mum is RhO- as am I but both my children are positive so I had to have the injection after both my pregnancies to stop me producing antibodies. This protects the next baby.

I am 67 and every time I went to a clinic at Pembury hospital they checked my blood. I can’t understand why so many of you don’t know your blood group. Had they only just started doing it in the early 1970s?
They also told me what group my children are.

mokryna Sat 27-Mar-21 19:57:23

Blood group O with a Lewis A antibody, therefore I couldn’t give birth in the local clinic but had to go to the hospital.

People seem to know their birth sign more than their blood group.

kissngate Sat 27-Mar-21 19:16:12

Another 0+ here. DS and DD both 0+ however their father is 0-. His mother was AB- and they were always asking her to donate. She had to carry a card for years stating her blood type.

dogsmother Sat 27-Mar-21 18:50:15

Another universal donor with O- here. Unluckily for my daughter she got the - negative Rhesus factor unlike my sons who both have +positive. They all have A though like OH.

Redhead56 Sat 27-Mar-21 17:53:47

Chestnut I fleetingly glanced at the blood type diet last week. As apart of a course I am doing food as medicine. I will look into that in more detail anything helps.

CraftyGranny Sat 27-Mar-21 17:35:51

I am A Positive. I know this because when I was pregnant (50 odd yrs ago) there was a big yellow sticker on the cover of my notes stating this. I don't think they do that now though.

I don't know about Group A+ suffering more from Covid, but my dentist was convinced it is a polpular group amongst rheumatoid arthritis sufferers.

TrendyNannie6 Sat 27-Mar-21 17:33:25

When I had my blood taken years ago, the nurse said when I told her my blood group, oh we would love your blood, but sadly I can’t give blood due to inflammation, I certainly would donate if I could though, but have my blood taken every 6 weeks throughout the rest of my life due to rare illness

welbeck Sat 27-Mar-21 17:31:14

Possible Link Between Blood Type and COVID-19 ...https://www.hematology.org › newsroom › press-releases
14 Oct 2020 — The study results suggest that people with blood types A, B, or AB may be more likely to be infected with COVID-19 than people with type O. The

welbeck Sat 27-Mar-21 17:30:29

www.verywellhealth.com/type-o-blood-covid-19-5074429