MissCritter

Is there someplace to have simple blood typing done locally without donating blood or making a regular doctor's appointment? I know I can order a blood typing kit online, but was wondering if any local clinics offered the service, or if the kit is sold locally.

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It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness. --Charles H. Spurgeon

aleonard

Maybe these guys.

Affordable lab work

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scooterbug44

Shouldn't it be on file w/ your doctor? I don't know mine, but I know my doctor has it on file if I need the info - which come to think of, I should have on hand.

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"I hate to break it to you, but this year (and probably the next few) was going to suck even if Jesus himself was president. These problems were not created overnight and they aren't going away overnight." -Jdarg

MissCritter

Nope. I checked. Unless blood typing is specifically requested, it's not done, even on extensive lab work.

I know mine only from donating blood. Want to get Jr. Critter's.

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It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness. --Charles H. Spurgeon

Poodleone

I am a medical technologist and can assure you there is no reason for your doctor to have your blood type on file unless he specifically ordered a type on you. That wouldn't be done as routine work- pre-op woule be the main reason, pregnancy the other. Insurance most likely will not pay for a test based on curiosity.

SHELLY

Go to a blood drive; have them do a blood type; get on the table and act freaked out when you see the needle and tell them you just can't do it; eat a cookie and have a cup of punch; get an "I tried" sticker; donate $5 to the Red Cross...done and done.

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But hey...Top Ramen tastes a whole lot better when you eat it off of a Granite Countertop. (Mr & Mrs Too Much Homebuyer)

Florida State Flower

30A Skunkape

What poodle said. If one needs a transfusion the blood type will be determined at that time (or if a real emergency a neutral type can be given). There really isn't any need to know what your type is (unless doing a blood type diet which I am not terribly familiar with). One backdoor way to figure it out though, Miss Critter, is to access your records from when your youngster was born-they will have determined both yours and your child's blood types to look for ABO or Rh incompatability.

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bluemtnrunner

Jump on in and donate, you aren't using it all anyway and can always make more. I'm whichever O it is that is universal so, eventhough I nearly pass out and generally go into convulsions every time...I give em my blood.
Maybe that wasn't the best PSA to convince you, huh.

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Quit whining and RUN!!

Minnie

I am surprised you were not given that info at the hospital when he was born, we were.

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"A man is but the product of his thoughts what he thinks, he becomes." Gandhi

MissCritter

No doubt I was, but due to my less than stellar record-keeping skills, that info is likely somewhere in a file in a box in a dark corner of neverland.

And Junior's not old enough to donate.

Shelly, I must say though, that I like the way you think, especially the part about the cookie.

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It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness. --Charles H. Spurgeon

Lynnie

Ha! No kidding. There are records of this, but getting them is another story. I did have my current internist run for blood type a few years ago. Got it, was told it, and quickly forgot it!

They have the records, though. I am not the really common type nor the dangerously uncommon type. Kinda like politics - somewhere in the middle.

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Who is Lynnie?? ~~~~~~~Signed, All Y'all

scooterbug44

What movie is it "I'm an A, or a B - pretty sure it's a letter."

__________________
"I hate to break it to you, but this year (and probably the next few) was going to suck even if Jesus himself was president. These problems were not created overnight and they aren't going away overnight." -Jdarg

barefootguy

Don't go to Sacred Heart. It cost us $1000 for a simple blood test there. That was the no insurance discount!

Lynnie

A positive or negative
B positive or negative
AB
O (positive? negative?)

And, I think there are others......it's not just A or B. Some of these can receive all; some can receive only one or two. I think one of the O's is very rare and so finding that blood match can be an issue. This is why at the blood bank, they check your blood type and must label it before sending it to hospitals. Also, they screen for blood disorders and diseases....some people are carriers of certain disorders, but not infected therefore not knowing they are carriers.

Blood banks do a lot of good for us...I remember a few years ago the banks were low. Go give blood, sb44, and get your blood type so you know.

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Who is Lynnie?? ~~~~~~~Signed, All Y'all

Poodleone

You don't get typed at the drive during the pre-screening, that happens at the lab after donation. If you have donated before, your type will beon record but each unit is typed independently of who donated.

All of the common blood types (O,A,B,AB) also have an Rh facor (positive or negative). The only "rare" type is the one that isn't on my shelf in the blood bank when I need to do a crossmatch. Yes, summertime is definitely a time of shortage- please donate. O pos (the most common type) can be "rare" when folks aren't donating as much as they used to. Some of the largest sources of donated blood are schools (closed during the summer) and corporations (closing due to economy). Approximately 5% of the population donates for the other 95%. I always tell people who can't donate (for many, many reasons) "Yes, but you can help encourage those who do or those who never have".

SHELLY

Must have changed in the last several years. I've had my blood typed before donating, but haven't been able to give blood for quite some time because I spend time in the UK (mad cow and all). BTW, I'm O+

.

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But hey...Top Ramen tastes a whole lot better when you eat it off of a Granite Countertop. (Mr & Mrs Too Much Homebuyer)

Florida State Flower

Lynnie

Why, thank you! I didn't realize pos and neg were called Rh. Poodleone, are you a medical professional? What are the current reserves? Or, do you receive national numbers like this? Thank you for helping me on this!

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Who is Lynnie?? ~~~~~~~Signed, All Y'all

scooterbug44

What is the percentage of the population that meets all the qualification to donate blood?

Some of the criteria is a bit outdated IMO (for instance the one that no gay men can donate) and changing it would up the donations.

__________________
"I hate to break it to you, but this year (and probably the next few) was going to suck even if Jesus himself was president. These problems were not created overnight and they aren't going away overnight." -Jdarg

Lynnie

When I had a bone graft, my surgeon instructed me to give a couple of pints of my own blood, just in case! I think blood banks can hold your own in reserves? Poodleone?

Being underweight, they wouldn't allow you to give.......this is no longer my issue! But, I'm not sure what guidelines they go by now.

Good thread!

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Who is Lynnie?? ~~~~~~~Signed, All Y'all

singinchicken

Type O blood is the universal blood. It can be given to people with other blood types. It's not necessarily rare when people aren't giving as much (that's a given) so much as it is that type O blood gets used more often. Out of B? Reach for O. Out of A? Reach for O.

Too bad type O people can get only type O.

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DD

I'm 0-. I only know that cause each time I had a child, they gave me that pucking shot that hurt like hail. Needle was at least twelve inches long and a quarter inch in diameter. That's why I quit having kids.

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I love Jesus, but I drink a little. ~Gladys




DD, I toad you it was pucking hot.~~Kitty

Poodleone

Yes, I am a medical technologist and have worked in laboratories for 28 years. There are no specific national numbers since the US blood supply is regional and fluctuates daily.

Here's an interesting link to FAQ at the AABB (American Association of Blood Banks. According to them approximately 38 percent of people are eligible- less than 10 percent donate. It varies from region to region.

Blood FAQ

It isn't specific to gay men- just one of the criteria to avoid transmitting sexual diseases through blood transfusion. Here's a partial list of deferrals relating to risky behaviors

have ever used needles to take drugs, steroids, or anything not prescribed by your doctor
are a male who has had sexual contact with another male, even once, since 1977
have ever taken money, drugs or other payment for sex since 1977
have had sexual contact in the past 12 months with anyone described above
received clotting factor concentrates for a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia
were born in, or lived in, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea,Gabon, Niger, or Nigeria, since 1977.
since 1977, received a blood transfusion or medical treatment with a blood product in any of these countries, or
had sex with anyone who, since 1977, was born in or lived in any of these countries

It is called autologous blood and can be held for short periods of time at the expense of the donor. It is not indefinite and fortunately this practice has decreased tremendously over the years as the blood supply has become even safer.



Most blood services use 110 pounds- those days are gone for me as well !

Yep that's the issue- you don't want to use O's for all types of people because when you need O you NEED O! I am always discomforted by the phrase "universal donor" since it is a bit of a misnomer.

Poodleone

You gotta love those Rhogam shots

I am amazed when I think how my mom (B neg) managed to have 4 kids in the 50's, before Rhogam, and never developed the anti-D antibody- Pure Luck.

Poodleone

I'll never say never on the blood typing but will say it isn't common practice

Yeah, the UK thing is a little tricky- the time spent is cumulative and mainly covering 1980-1996 or blood transfusion there. I can give because I was only there 10 days last September. I'm O pos as well. Gave blood today and feel great!

HandymanConnect

Hi,
There is a place that does all sorts of lab work and immunizations. I checked with them and they do blood typing. The name of the company is Professional Health Examiners. They are located on Mack Bayou Rd. and their number is 267-0360. FYI, they don't take insurance, but their prices are very reasonable.
Good luck!

MissCritter

You both were right. We haven't been yet, but their price for blood typing is only $33. Thanks!

__________________
It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness. --Charles H. Spurgeon