Avoiding the Doctor – The Best Blood Type Test Kit for Home Use

Blood type, Diet & Nutrition, Lifestyle

A third of Americans don’t know their blood type. Are you one of them? Well, you don’t have to be anymore, and since you get an easily get an accurate blood type test kit for home use you don’t even have to go into the doctor’s office or clinic anymore (although we recommend you still do to confirm results).

Some experts believe that 1/3 number is even higher. Donald Karcher, the president-elect of the College of American Pathologists, believes it’s “probably more than half” of the population, with many not believing it is important.

But your blood type can impact numerous aspects of health, from potential disease risks to reactions to medications. Furthermore, knowing your blood type can be critical in case of an emergency.

A blood type test is a simple procedure that doctors use that involves taking and analyzing a small blood sample.

However, with advancing technology and health awareness, many companies have developed at-home blood typing test kits, letting you avoid the doctor altogether.

 

Blood Type Overview

Your blood type is determined by the antigens (a kind of protein) in your red blood cells. There are four main types of blood: A, B, AB, and O. Each type is also classified by a positive or negative Rh factor.

The rarity varies by ethnicity and geographical location, but in general, it breaks down like this.

  • A-positive (A+): 33% of the population
  • A-negative (A-): 6%
  • B-positive (B+): 9%
  • B-negative (B-): Less than 2%
  • AB-positive (AB+): Less than 4%
  • AB-negative (AB-): Less than 1%
  • O-positive (O+): 38%
  • O-negative (O-): 7%

 

There are also extremely rare types like Rh-null, sometimes called “golden blood” found in fewer than 50 people worldwide.

Blood typing is critical for safe blood transfusions. For example, if you’re type A, you can only receive blood from type A or type O donors. On the other hand, if you’re type O, you can donate to anyone but can only receive from other type O donors.

Here’s the full breakdown:

Blood type Types you can receive Types you can donate to
A+ A+, A-, O+, O- A+, AB+
A- A-, O- A+, A-, AB+, AB-
B+ B+, B-, O+, O- A+, AB+
B- B-, O- B+, B-, AB+, AB-
AB+ Universal recipient AB+
AB- AB-, A-, B-, O- AB+, AB-
O+ O+, O- O+, A+, B+, AB+
O- O- Universal donor

 

Knowing your blood type can also help you make lifestyle and diet decisions, as some diseases, such as stomach cancer, heart disease, and malaria, are thought to be more prevalent in certain blood groups.

 

How to Test Your Blood Type

If you’re one of the many people that is unsure about your blood type, there are three easy ways to find out.

 

Doctor’s Office

You can request a test during your next routine physical or doctor’s appointment. The test typically involves drawing a small amount of blood from your arm, which is then sent to a lab for testing.

The lab will then run a series of tests on your blood using specific substances called reagents. These reagents contain antibodies that can react with your blood if certain antigens (that determine your blood type) are present.

 

Blood Donor Center

When you donate blood, the organization (like Red Cross) will routinely test your blood and provide you with a card that states your blood type. This is a free way to learn your blood type and contribute to a good cause.

Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. Your donation could even save multiple lives.

James Harrison, an Australian man, donated blood regularly for more than 60 years because of a rare antibody that has helped save over two million babies worldwide.

 

Blood Typing Kit for Home

Using a home blood typing kit is an easy and convenient alternative for those who would rather not go to the doctor or donate blood. They are similar to the lab tests but simpler, generally involving placing a drop of blood on a specially treated card and watching to see if it reacts with the reagents present.

Due to potential user errors and possible inaccuracies, confirming an at-home test with a healthcare professional is always best. But if you’re going to go this route, it is important to purchase a kit from a reputable company.

 

Best Blood Type Test Kits for Home Use

Here are some highly-rated at-home blood typing kits available at a variety of retailers:

 

1. EldonCard Instant Blood Type Home Test Kit

EldonCard is a Danish company that specializes in dry format cards for blood grouping, and they have been doing it for more than 40 years. We are listing this option as #1 since it is clearly the top choice of the people, weighing in with over 20,000 reviews averaging out to a 4.3 star rating on Amazon. The Zoppler Team also highly recommends this option as well. This blood typing kit will give you results in just a couple minutes, and it’s extremely reliable based on feedback and testing. By using a single-use lancet that is built for safety, you can draw your own blood quickly, easily, and with just a little prick. The design of the lancet prevents accidental piercings from happening too. Not only do consumers use this kit at home, but it’s so well known that it’s even used by hospitals, blood banks, and blood centers. This kit comes with an alcohol pad to clean your finger, and after that you use the lancet to draw the sample. You then turn your hand downward so that a drop of blood is placed on top of each of the four sticks. Then the sticks get applied to the card and you stir for about 2 minutes and the results will show up on the card. It’s that easy!! The total time from opening the package to getting your results is only about 6 minutes.

 

2. ABO/RH Blood Type Test Kit by Innovating Science 

With about 125 ratings averaging out to 3.6 stars, we know you are thinking “why did you guys even include this option?” Well, it’s our job to provide the best options available, so try not to worry about the rating and just remember it still doesn’t have a lot of reviews and it is a fraction of the cost of the EldonCard kit. The Aldon Corporation, owner of Innovating Science, has been around since 1964 so they do know what they’re doing. The Innovating Science kit allows you to test your blood type in about 5 minutes, and it comes with the following items: buffer solution 6ml, 1 Erycard, 1 alcohol wipe, 1 lancet, 4 blood collection loop sticks. Each one of the cards contains a negative control sample to ensure the results are accurate. After you prick your finger with the disposable lancet, you apply the blood to the four wells to begin the testing phase. This seems to be a very simple, straight-forward, and affordable option to get your blood type tested from the comfort of your own home, quickly and painlessly.

 

3. MRN Diagnostics Blood Type Test Kit for Home – 2 Pack

With under 100 reviews and a 3.5 star rating, we are still going to stand by our EldonCard recommendation, but we still want to present this option too in case a $9.95 price tag appeals to you over the more expensive option, the savings might be worth it for some people. This is a very simple basic test that comes with the necessary components, nothing more and no bells and whistles. One pro of this option is that it does come with 2 cards for testing. This kit comes with 2 blood typing cards, 1 5ml dropper bottle (to fill with distilled water for mixing), 6 single use blood sticks, 2 isopropyl alcohol prep pads, and 2 pressure activated lancets. Completing this test is similar to the other two, after you stick your finger with the lancet you transfer the blood to a single spot on the card and swirl it in a circle 10 times. Repeat that two more times for the other 2 spots using two more blood drops and 2 more sticks. After you add a drop of water from the dropper you rock the card back and forth 20 times, and then tip the card up to allow excess reagent to run down the card onto the absorbent material. Then you look at the results and get to know what blood type you are!

 

Other At-Home Blood Type Kits

As for blood typing test kits available at CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart, these retailers are known to stock various brands.

It is recommended to check with your specific store location for their current inventory or consider purchasing online from their websites or other online retailers such as Amazon.

Please note, while these kits can indicate your blood type, they should not replace medical advice in critical situations, and results should always be doubly confirmed by a healthcare professional when possible.

 

Final thoughts

Knowing your blood type is an important part of understanding your overall health. With the availability of reputable at-home rapid blood typing kits, determining your blood type has never been easier or more convenient.

This way, you can save yourself a trip to the doctor or hospital while learning something vital about your health.

Stay curious, stay informed, and take charge of your health!

Zoppler is reader supported and may earn affiliate commissions from links on this page. We support and believe in all the products and services we promote and are affiliated with.

Must Reads

How to Eat Healthy While Staying in a Hotel – Best Tips & Tricks

How to Eat Healthy While Staying in a Hotel – Best Tips & Tricks

Traveling is one of the greatest things to do in life. Not only do you get to take a break from your daily routine and experience new things, but you get to experience new cuisine as well. If you are on a diet and currently trying to lose weight, experiencing all of that amazing new cuisine might set you back, so we wanted to give our readers some nice pointers that will keep them smiling while on vacation and also when they get back and look in the mirror too. This will also help you keep it together on business trips as well.

Get Angry to Get Motivated and Get in Shape

Get Angry to Get Motivated and Get in Shape

According to a study published by NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey), about 42% of the adult population in the United States is obese. I don’t know about you, but to me that number is astonishing and sickening. Just about half of the people...

Free Printable 12-Week Half-Marathon Training Plan PDF

Free Printable 12-Week Half-Marathon Training Plan PDF

Ready to hit a significant milestone in your running journey? Great! Our 12-week half-marathon training plan PDF is your perfect companion. With determination and consistency, you can go from beginner to marathon-ready in just 12 weeks.

Boxing Circuit Training Ideas For The Ultimate Training Session

Boxing Circuit Training Ideas For The Ultimate Training Session

Ever get bored with different cardio training and other hip high-intensity interval training? You’re not alone; that’s why many gyms in the world are now starting to schedule boxing circuit training sessions. Boxing circuit training is a crank-up cardio training that develops cardiovascular fitness while building your lean muscles. It’s a form of HIIT that combines boxing, bodyweight exercises, and endurance training. These circuits are a fun (and exhausting) workout that will surely burn those calories. Forget the treadmill for now and step into the ring. This article will guide you through some of the best boxing-inspired drills that will leave you invigorated and ready to take on everything.

Share it

Related Posts

The Male Ego: Investigating the Taboo and Results of Testosterone Replacement Therapy

The Male Ego: Investigating the Taboo and Results of Testosterone Replacement Therapy

Growing up, there wasn’t a sport I didn’t participate in. From baseball to motocross to swimming daily, I was as active as they come and no matter what I ate, I never gained weight. I could eat potato chips, drink soda, slices and slices of pizza, and it never changed how my abs looked. Looking back on it, it was quite the gift, but it was because I was always burning calories, and my metabolism was working non-stop. Oh boy, how that feels like a lifetime ago!

How to Eat Healthy While Staying in a Hotel – Best Tips & Tricks

How to Eat Healthy While Staying in a Hotel – Best Tips & Tricks

Traveling is one of the greatest things to do in life. Not only do you get to take a break from your daily routine and experience new things, but you get to experience new cuisine as well. If you are on a diet and currently trying to lose weight, experiencing all of that amazing new cuisine might set you back, so we wanted to give our readers some nice pointers that will keep them smiling while on vacation and also when they get back and look in the mirror too. This will also help you keep it together on business trips as well.

Boxing Circuit Training Ideas For The Ultimate Training Session

Boxing Circuit Training Ideas For The Ultimate Training Session

Ever get bored with different cardio training and other hip high-intensity interval training? You’re not alone; that’s why many gyms in the world are now starting to schedule boxing circuit training sessions. Boxing circuit training is a crank-up cardio training that develops cardiovascular fitness while building your lean muscles. It’s a form of HIIT that combines boxing, bodyweight exercises, and endurance training. These circuits are a fun (and exhausting) workout that will surely burn those calories. Forget the treadmill for now and step into the ring. This article will guide you through some of the best boxing-inspired drills that will leave you invigorated and ready to take on everything.

Umzu Natural Supplements: Taking Back Control of your Health

Umzu Natural Supplements: Taking Back Control of your Health

Umzu is becoming a brand name everyone has heard of, or seen across social media, with products like zuPoo, Redwood, Testro-X, and more.  Umzu supplements was founded in 2017 by Christopher Walker, a former software engineer turned health and fitness expert. Walker’s personal health struggles, including issues with weight gain, low energy, and hormonal imbalances, led him to extensively research natural methods for optimizing health and wellness. The company’s mission is to provide science-backed, natural solutions for improving health and well-being. Umzu’s products are formulated based on the principles of holistic health, addressing not just symptoms but underlying imbalances to promote long-term vitality.