Site search

abo-blood-types image

ABO blood types

A, B, O and AB are the four major blood types. Your type depends on which kind of glycoproteins, or antigens, are found on the outside of your blood cells. As these antigens are entirely genetically determined, then so is your ABO blood type.

deCODEme predicts customers’ genetically determined ABO blood types.

SEE WHAT YOUR GENETIC TEST RESULTS COULD LOOK LIKE


The two most important classifications to describe blood types in humans are ABO and Rh factor.


Of the four blood types, the O blood type is most common, shared by about 60% of humans. The AB blood type is the rarest.

deCODEme can predict your genetically determined ABO blood types – Traditional ABO blood typing is needed to confirm ABO blood type for medical procedures

The traditional ABO blood typing test involves mixing antigens and antibodies

The traditional ABO blood typing test is performed by first mixing your blood sample with antibodies against type A and B blood, and then checking the sample to see whether or not the blood cells stick together (agglutinate). If blood cells stick together, it means the blood reacted with one of the antibodies.

The second step is called back-typing. The liquid part of your blood without cells (serum) is mixed with blood that is known to be type A and Type B. Persons with Type A blood have anti-B antibodies, and those with Type B blood have anti-A antibodies. Type O blood contains both types of antibodies. These two steps can accurately determine your blood type.

Please note that the results of the deCODEme genetic test cannot replace a traditional ABO blood typing test described above, that is used for critical medical procedures such as blood transfusion or organ transplantation. What we provide here is a prediction of your ABO blood type based on the genetic variants included in the deCODEme Complete Scan.

Millions of lives are saved each year through blood transfusions

Millions of lives are saved each year worldwide through blood transfusions. In the U.S. alone, the American Red Cross collects more than 6 million volunteer blood donations each year, making it the nation’s largest blood supplier. The blood from these donations is used in the nearly 5 million blood transfusions performed each year in the U.S.

Multiple tests are performed on blood prior to a transfusion

In addition to ABO and Rhesus blood type testing, many additional blood tests are done on donated blood before using it in transfusions. These include tests screening the donated blood for infectious diseases such as hepatitis, syphilis, and human immunodeficiency (HIV), as well as for unexpected red blood cell antibodies that might cause a transfusion reaction in some people. Once the testing is complete, the blood is either approved for transfusion or destroyed.

Consider becoming a blood donor

Unlike medications that are manufactured, blood components can only be collected from healthy volunteer donors and have a very short shelf life. Although millions of lives are saved each year through blood transfusions, in many countries, people still die due to an inadequate supply of blood and blood products (see WHO factsheet).

To ensure an adequate blood supply to meet patient need, it is important that all healthy, eligible people donate blood regularly. Consider contacting your local blood bank and see if you are eligible to become a blood donor.

This content was last reviewed on February 09, 2010.


Amy Doneen Nurse Practitioner - deCODEme customer

‘We have the ability to test someone’s genetic risk… and then make clinical decisions based on that genetic backdrop.’

Amy L. Doneen A.R.N.P.,
Nurse Practitioner

our customer stories