Your NHS number is a unique number given to you by the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK. It helps doctors and hospitals find your medical records quickly. However, your NHS number does not tell you your blood type. Blood type is not usually recorded in NHS records unless you have had a blood transfusion or surgery or are a blood donor. If you want to know your blood type, you may need to take a blood test. For more information, check NHS Blood and Transplant.
The human blood system contains four major groups which include A, B, AB and O. The genes inherited from your parents determine the blood group that you carry. The blood groups include eight combinations because each type within the A, B, AB, O groups enables either a positive (+) or negative (-) RhD.
Blood is made up of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, which float in a liquid called plasma. Antibodies are proteins in plasma that help protect your body. They fight anything foreign, like germs. Antigens are proteins on the surface of red blood cells. They help determine your blood group. For more information on blood groups and how they work, visit NHS Blood and Transplant.
The ABO system creates four distinct groups.
Blood group A – has A antigens and anti-B antibodies
Blood type B includes B antigens together with antibodies that target A antigens.
The blood type O contains no antigens yet contains both anti-A and anti-B antibodies.
Individuals with blood type AB possess A antigens and B antigens yet their bloodstream remains antibody-free.
The most common blood type in the UK is O, with 48% of the population having this blood group. If someone is given the wrong blood type, their immune system will attack the new Blood, which can be very dangerous. Because O blood has no antigens, it can be safely given to people of any blood group in an emergency. For more details on blood groups, visit NHS Blood and Transplant.
Another protein, called the RhD antigen, may also be present in red blood cells. If RhD is present, you are RhD positive (+). If RhD is missing, you are RhD negative (-). This creates eight blood groups:
A+ (A RhD positive)
A- (A RhD negative)
B+ (B RhD positive)
B- (B RhD negative)
O+ (O RhD positive)
O- (O RhD negative)
AB+ (AB RhD positive)
AB- (AB RhD negative)
About 85% of people in the UK are RhD positive, with O+ being the most common (35% of people). O- Blood is special because it has no A, B, or RhD antigens. This makes it safe for most people and is used in medical emergencies when doctors do not know a patient’s blood type. Learn more about the RhD system on the NHS website.
To know your blood group, you will need to have a blood test. This is not something that doctors typically cheque at a routine appointment unless it is medically required. However, there are several ways in which you can find out your blood type:
Blood type can be found in your medical record if you have ever had a blood test. You can ask your doctor or look at the records from the hospital if you want to know.
The easiest way to learn your blood type is by donating Blood. This is because when you give Blood through NHS Blood and Transplant, they test your Blood and then send you a donor card with your blood group on it. Find out more about blood donations att NHS Blood and Transplant.
If you need to know your blood type, it can be tested by medical professionals. This test is needed for such important reasons as before surgery or during pregnancy. This is needed to ensure that in case of a transfusion, you will receive the necessary Blood. For more information on blood tests, visit Good Care Practice Northolt.
Home Blood Test Kits Certain commercial enterprises provide kits for home blood typing. These kits enable you to carry out the test in your home environment. Although it is quick and easy, it may not be as reliable as the test conducted in the laboratory.
It is vital to know your blood type, particularly in case of emergencies or if you plan on donating or receiving blood transfusions. To learn more about how to find out your blood type, cheque out the Collingwood Surgery website.
Your NHS number won't show you your blood type, but you can find out through medical records, giving Blood, or paying for a test.