Do You Know Your Blood Type? (my throat, cold, depression, reaction)

[ShuttrBug]

O+
My parents made sure they found out soon after I was born. Just a pin prick in my big toe for a tiny drop.

In fact, I was surprised that my son's doctor did not deem it important when I asked that i'd like to find his blood type! He said "What for?". Ummmm.... do I really need to explain to a doc what for!!! Sigh! they refused to write up a test for it. Moreover, i found out later that even had he written up the test, my insurance would not have covered it. I don't understand why knowing your blood type is not important... just don't get it! Should it not be part of your medical file? What if you had some really rare type? What then?

Anyway, I finally found out though. while on holiday at a developing nation, I just walked into a lab and they were happy to do the test for my son. Just a tiny prick on his thumb. No need for doc orders either for basic tests. My cost ~2 USD! I know! That's all!

[movingtohouston]

O negative here with the Rh thing. Three of those horrible shots. Man it felt like they shot lead balls in my behind. LOL Hubby I believe is B+. Whatever he is I know its positive due to the Rhogam shot thing.

[Miss Blue]

I have known since high school many eons ago that I am B+..My mom was a surgical tech and took all of us kids to the lab one day for typing and ID cards..

[bluedevilz]

Originally Posted by ShuttrBug

O+
My parents made sure they found out soon after I was born. Just a pin prick in my big toe for a tiny drop.

In fact, I was surprised that my son's doctor did not deem it important when I asked that i'd like to find his blood type! He said "What for?". Ummmm.... do I really need to explain to a doc what for!!! Sigh! they refused to write up a test for it. Moreover, i found out later that even had he written up the test, my insurance would not have covered it. I don't understand why knowing your blood type is not important... just don't get it! Should it not be part of your medical file? What if you had some really rare type? What then?

Anyway, I finally found out though. while on holiday at a developing nation, I just walked into a lab and they were happy to do the test for my son. Just a tiny prick on his thumb. No need for doc orders either for basic tests. My cost ~2 USD! I know! That's all!

I'll play...

Why DO you need to know your blood type??

Even if you happen to have a "rare" blood type ( rare being relative since there are only 8 possible combinations of ABO and Rh) what help will it be in an emergency if you "know" your blood type??

Even if you have your ABO type tattooed on your forehead, noone is going to take your word for it in an emergency...

If you are in an accident or need surgery you will have a type and screen performed EVERY TIME...

If you need blood or blood products, your blood will be cross matched EVERY TIME against the product to be given.

Eons ago I worked on the bench in hospital blood banks, it didn't save me any time to know what type some one was.....I was still going to do the whole antigen panel and determine the ABO type and Rh EVERY TIME.

It may be nice to know your blood type but the doctor you are condemning for saying "What for?" was speaking truth....

[ShuttrBug]

Originally Posted by bluedevilz

I'll play...

Why DO you need to know your blood type??

Even if you happen to have a "rare" blood type ( rare being relative since there are only 8 possible combinations of ABO and Rh) what help will it be in an emergency if you "know" your blood type??

Even if you have your ABO type tattooed on your forehead, noone is going to take your word for it in an emergency...

If you are in an accident or need surgery you will have a type and screen performed EVERY TIME...

If you need blood or blood products, your blood will be cross matched EVERY TIME against the product to be given.

Eons ago I worked on the bench in hospital blood banks, it didn't save me any time to know what type some one was.....I was still going to do the whole antigen panel and determine the ABO type and Rh EVERY TIME.

It may be nice to know your blood type but the doctor you are condemning for saying "What for?" was speaking truth....

Oh!
See, I thought if your type was on your medical record, it would save time, (and resources), and there would be no need to check it every time it's required. But if that is what they do, as you state from first hand experience, then I suppose it's no real use. If the good doc had explained as much to me, I would have understood that the way the medical system works, it's no real use.

But, lets say, it was on your record, why would they still check? They seem to accept everything else on your record without question. And it's not like your blood type changes. As far as I know. Or does it?

[blossom4792]

I am O negative and my daughter is as well.

[LaoTzuMindFu]

I definitely know my blood type. I donate blood as often as I can. Red Cross actually calls me to donate because there is something special about my blood that they use for premature babies.

[bluedevilz]

Originally Posted by DaBeez

I definitely know my blood type. I donate blood as often as I can. Red Cross actually calls me to donate because there is something special about my blood that they use for premature babies.

You are probably CMV negative....

Good for you for donating often

[LaoTzuMindFu]

Originally Posted by bluedevilz

You are probably CMV negative....

Good for you for donating often

Yep. B+ CMV negative.

[chinodeb]

B plus