What’s your type?

Heather Ainsley
ECB Publishing, Inc.

In this modern world of self-discovery and mental awareness, countless people around the globe are getting to know as much about themselves as possible. Modern technology provides answers at our very fingertips, and we can easily gain access to information about common afflictions and disorders as well as a truly endless array of more uncommon health conditions and diseases. We can gain information about tips and tricks to control symptoms, share experiences and support with those with similar health concerns, as well as get to the bottom of the reasons behind just about any health concern out there. Even outside the realm of medicinal information, we also have unlimited access to general information about the human body. Anyone in the world can open a book, or log online, and have more information about the human body than they would ever have the time to read. But in this world of endless knowledge, how much do you actually know about your own body? And how much do you need to know?
While a vast majority of the information available to the general public about the human body is interesting, a lot of it isn't practical to learn aside from satisfying a general intrigue. Do we need to know that our hearts beat an average of 100,000 times per day, sending around 2,000 gallons of blood throughout the body? How useful is it in your day-to-day life to know that your body has more than 600 muscles, and that the stapedius muscle, which is the muscle in the middle of your ear, is the weakest? While a lot of information about the human body is simply to know, there are a few things that are actually incredibly important for you to be aware of. One of those things is your blood type.
It is pretty common knowledge that everyone on Earth has a blood type. There are several systems that experts use to group blood, ABO being the most important. Your ABO type is based on the presence or absence of two different antigens, A and B, on the surface of your red blood cells. There are four ABO types, and they are A, B, AB, and O.
Your blood type is also determined by Rh status, which refers to the presence or absence of another antigen, called Rhesus D, on your red blood cells. If you have the Rhesus D antigen, you are Rh-positive. If you do not have the antigen, you are Rh-negative.
The combination of each antigen, A, B, and Rhesus D result in one of eight possible blood types. These eight types are: A+, A-, B+, B-, AB+, AB-, O+ and O-.
Each one of these types is completely unique, and everyone on the planet has one of these eight blood types. But why is this important?
Blood types determine who you can give blood to and receive blood from. The importance of knowing your blood type is to prevent the risk of you receiving an incompatible blood type at a time of need, such as a blood transfusion, or during surgery. If two incompatible blood types are mixed, it can lead to a clumping of blood cells that can be potentially fatal.
Blood is an essential component of your body. But aside from transfusion and donation reasons, why would you need to know your blood type?
As it turns out, an important factor in planning a healthy pregnancy comes down to knowing your blood type. In some cases, blood type can affect fertility. Research has shown that women who have type O blood may face a higher risk of a condition called diminished ovarian reserve, affecting their egg reserve, making it potentially more difficult to conceive a child. Knowing your blood type can make you aware of potential setbacks or risks in the process of building a family.
In addition to conditions associated with blood types during pregnancy, women who wish to conceive, as well as those already pregnant, should know their blood types for another reason: Rh factor incompatibility. If an expectant mother has a Rh-negative blood type (A-, B-, AB-, or O-), and her baby has Rh+ blood type (A+, B+, AB+ or O+), it can lead to something called Rh incompatibility. This means that during the pregnancy, if the mother's blood comes into contact with the baby's blood, which is rare but does happen, it could trigger the mother's blood to produce antibodies that attack the baby's blood, which can lead to jaundice for the baby. The mother's body sees the baby as an infection or invasion, something that does not belong and is not recognized.
Most mothers' blood types are checked early in pregnancy to prevent surprises like this from happening. If the mother's blood type is incompatible with the baby's, she may be given an immunoglobulin shot, which helps prevent antibody production in order to keep mom and baby safe.
Certain blood types are also linked to higher risks for certain diseases. Knowing your blood type can help you learn and understand what risk factors may correlate to your blood type, and awareness before a diagnosis is a large step in prevention.
So, now that you know you need to know, how do you learn your blood type? The answer is thankfully not as complicated as that last sentence seemed to be.
If you have ever had your blood drawn while at the doctor, chances are that your blood has already been tested. You can call the doctor's office for a copy of your record.
If you have not had your blood drawn by a primary physician or doctor, or if you have an aversion to the long process of collecting a copy of your medical records, there is a way for you to test your blood from home. Rapid blood typing kits can be bought online, and mailed to your home. Each kit will require the user to prick their finger with a needle. A card will come with each kit, containing chemicals called reactors. These reactors test for the presence of the antibodies and Rh factor.
If you have a fear of needles, or if blood is something that makes you feel uneasy-queasy, don't worry; you may still be able to learn your blood type. Some people produce characteristic antigens in their saliva. According to research done in 2018, if a person does secrete these antigens in their saliva, a sample of dried saliva can reliably indicate their blood type. Note that not everyone secretes antigens in their saliva, and this method does not indicate the presence or absence of the Rh factor. For the best results, a blood test is more concrete.
If you don't have money for doctor visits, or home test kits to be sent to your door, you can get your blood tested for free by simply donating blood. Nonprofit organizations like the American Red Cross collect blood from volunteers in the community for use in hospitals and in emergency situations around the world. In order to know where to send the blood that is donated, each sample is tested to determine its type. After you donate, you will receive a donor card, which should indicate your blood type.
If all of those sound too easy, and you like a challenge, you can always just ask your parents! A person's blood type is inherited from their biological parents. A parent with type A blood can either pass the A antigen or no antigen. If the other parent has type B blood, they can pass the B antigen or no antigen. Depending on the combination, their child could have A, B, AB, or O. (O indicates no A or B antigens). The Rh factor is inherited the same way. Plus, there is always the chance that your parents learned your blood type during the pregnancy process or at your birth!
Look at that, you learned something! And unlike random facts, like the human body contains enough fat to make seven bars of soap, knowing your blood type might just save your life one day, or the life of someone you know.