Why You Need to Know Your Blood Type and 3 Methods to Identify Yours

About two years ago, I was filling out an application to start volunteering at a children's hospital in my city and was asked to provide my blood type. Luckily, I knew off the top of my head that I'm type O-positive, but I wanted to find documentation to confirm this information. I called my mom to see if blood type is listed on my birth certificate -- no luck. I checked my physician's health portal -- also no luck.

This got me wondering: How does someone figure out their blood type if they don't already know it?

Not knowing your blood type can be a problem when it comes to your overall wellness. No matter your age or health, it's crucial to know whether you're type A, B or O. Having this piece of information can help you in an emergency situation or make filling out certain forms a little easier. 

If you have no clue what your type is, you're not alone. According to a 2019 CBS News poll, only 66% of Americans reported knowing their blood type. Considering blood type can be vital to understanding your health, including your heart health -- and saving your life in an emergency -- it's important to know what kind of blood courses through your veins. The good news is finding out your blood type is relatively simple and you have options. Below are three easy ways to find out your blood type. 

Blood type basics

Blood type is categorized into one of these eight groups: A-positive, A-negative, B-positive, B-negative, O-positive, O-negative, AB-positive and AB-negative. But what determines blood type and what does that 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 designate ABO blood types. This is determined by the ABO gene. For example:

• Type A blood type has the A antigen
• Type B blood type has the B antigen
• Type AB blood type has both the A and B antigen
• Type O doesn't produce any A or B antigen

There are also Rhesus (Rh) antigens, which determine if blood is "positive" or "negative." If you have Rh proteins on the surface of your red blood cells, you are Rh positive. If you don't have Rh proteins on the surface of your red blood cells, you have negative blood.

How to find your blood type?

Here's three main ways to type your blood:

• Have your doctor do a blood test 
• Donate blood
• Use an at-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. A professional will draw blood and then perform two tests on the blood sample: forward typing and reverse typing. 

During forward typing, the blood sample is mixed with antibodies against type A and B blood. Based on whether the blood cells stick together when mixed with the antibodies, your blood type can be determined from there. If your blood cells stick together when mixed with antibodies against type B blood, you have type B blood. If your blood cells stick together when mixed with antibodies against type A blood, you have type A blood.

To confirm the result, the next step is reverse typing, meaning the blood sample without red blood cells -- called a serum -- is mixed with type A and type B blood cells. Type A blood will have antibodies against Type B blood in the sample and type B blood will have antibodies against Type A blood. Type O blood will contain antibodies against Type A and Type B. So, if sticking occurs when the serum is mixed with type B blood cells, you have type A blood, and if sticking occurs when the serum is mixed with type A blood cells, you have type B blood. 

I recommend calling your doctor's office to see what a blood type test costs out-of-pocket and if it's covered by insurance. 

2. Donate blood

This is an easy -- and free -- way to determine blood type, but results are not immediate.

If you donate to a blood drive, you can simply ask the staff about your blood type. Blood usually is not tested right away, so it may take up to a few weeks to get the results. 

3. At-home blood test

At-home tests are relatively straightforward. You will usually start by wiping your finger with an alcohol wipe and then be required to prick your finger with a disposable lancet to draw blood. Then, you will wipe blood on the provided card. Depending on how the blood dries, clumps or spreads, you will be able to compare your blood stain to a results card. Within minutes, you'll be able to determine your blood type. 

More for your wellness

• Aspirin for Heart Disease Prevention: What the New Guidance Means
• How the COVID-19 Pandemic Has Taken a Toll on Heart Health
• 5 Vital Steps to Survive a Heart Attack, According to Experts
• Here's How Your Heart and Brain Work Together to Keep You Healthy
• Heart Rate Variability: The Most Important Health Metric You Aren't Tracking

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.