⏱️ 8:00am - 6:30pm (Weekdays)  ⭐ Looking After London Since 1998 ✅ Registration Not Needed 🔒 Strictly Confidential 🩺 Affordable Private Healthcare

Blood Group & Antibody Testing

Turnaround

4 - 12 hours

Appointment

15 minutes

4.8
4.8/5
4.7
4.7/5
Care Quality Commission
Primary Care & Diagnostics Finalist Award

Testing your blood type

Your blood test results will determine if you are type A, B, AB, or O, and if you are Rh-negative or Rh-positive (e.g., A+ or A-).

This test is very useful for those who need a blood transfusion (since about 2.5 million units of blood are used for transfusions in the United Kingdom each year), those planning to donate blood, and particularly for women who are pregnant or considering pregnancy.

 

 

 

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Blood Group & Antibody Testing Explained

A blood group and antibody test (also known as ABO typing) determines your blood type and Rh factor in your red blood cells by taking a sample of your blood and combining it with specific antibodies (proteins produced by your immune system to protect your body from infection and disease) that target A and B blood.

The sample is then examined to see if your blood cells clump together. If they do, it means your blood reacted with one of the antibodies.

Different Blood Types

There are four major blood groups (A, B, AB, and O) and eight different blood types (A+, A-, B+, B-, AB+, AB-, O+, and O-). Group A has only the A antigen on red cells and the B antibody in the plasma. Group B is the opposite, with only the B antigen on red cells and the A antibody in the plasma.

Group AB has both A and B antigens on red cells but neither A nor B antibodies in the plasma. Group O has neither A nor B antigens on red cells but both A and B antibodies in the plasma. AB- is the rarest of the eight main blood types, with only 0.50% of the world’s population having it.

Woman doctor smiling
Woman doctor taking notes

The Importance Of Knowing Your RH Factor

Your Rh factor is a protein found on your red blood cells that determines your compatibility when mixing blood, such as between a mother and her baby at birth, or when receiving a blood transfusion or transplant. If the mother is Rh-negative and the baby is Rh-positive, the mother’s blood may create antibodies against the baby’s blood.

Similarly, for blood donations and transfusions, Rh-positive individuals can receive both Rh-positive and Rh-negative transfusions, but Rh-negative individuals can only receive Rh-negative blood. Knowing your Rh factor makes blood transfusions and pregnancy safer.

How Blood Types Are Determined

Babies get their blood type and Rh factor from their parents. A baby may have the blood type and Rh factor of either parent, or a combination of both parents. That is why siblings do not necessarily have the same blood type, even though they have the same parents.

  • A + A = A or O
  • B + B = B or O
  • A + B = AB, A, B or O
  • AB + AB = AB, A or B
  • AB + A or B = AB, A or B
  • O + O = O
  • O + A = O or A
  • O + B = O or B
  • O + AB = A or B

Statistics​

Completed Blood Test This Year
0
Biochemistry Tests Are Carried Out Per Year In The UK
0 Mill
Blood Tests For Each Person Are Performed Annually
0
Cervical Cancer Cases Are Preventable
0 %

How To Book A Blood Test

book online or call us

Use our online booking engine or book your test by giving us a call.

Choose your test type

On the online booking engine select the “appointment type” you need.

meet with our experts

You will be seen by one of our friendly phlebotomists or trained clinicians.

Procedure

Type of sample taken: Blood
preparing for appointment

Preparing for test

Ensure you are well-hydrated before your appointment.

during the appointment

During the test

Ensure you are well-hydrated before your appointment.

post appointment

Results

Once we receive your blood test results from the laboratory, we will promptly email them to you.

 

 

 

Why Choose Walk In Clinic
for blood testing

No
Hidden Charges

Transparent fees. The price you see is the price you pay.

No GP consultation
needed

No GP appointment requirement for blood tests

Established
since 1998

Experienced doctors & a professional team.

Strictly
confidential

Your medical records are kept private at all times.

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Blood Group & Antibody

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Book Your Blood Test Today

We offer a wide range of private blood tests in London. Same-day appointments are available 5 days a week.

Specialist Medical Team

We work with experienced consultants & healthcare professionals who have received positive feedback from our patients, and with whom we have established long-term relationships.

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What do the different blood typing results mean?
If you have blood type A, it means that A antigens were found on your red blood cells, with anti-B antibodies in your plasma. With blood type B, you have B antigens, with anti-A antibodies. Blood type O has no antigens, and both anti-A and anti-B antibodies. Blood type AB has both A and B antigens, and no antibodies.
What happens if I receive a transfusion of the wrong blood group?
An incorrect blood type match can be fatal, causing an immune response in which the antibodies attack the donation blood cells. The only safe blood group that can be given to any recipient is type O.
Why is a blood group test recommended in pregnancy?
A pregnant woman will be given a blood test to determine her RhD status. If the mother is RhD negative, but the child is RhD positive due to blood inherited from the father, it can lead to complications. If this is caught, it can be treated, lowering the risk of problems.

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