Blood Type Rant/Question?

F

FL Jacob

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Joined
Feb 11, 2020
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Hi, CO 2024 here. I saw that we can optionally add our blood type, I don't know mine so we asked my doctor to order a blood type test at a lab, we also ordered a TB test because I wasn't sure if I needed one. I later found out I didn't need the TB test, only the blood type test. I went to the lab and clearly asked them NOT to do the TB test, only the blood type test. I had a terrible time with the blood withdrawal, they took four whole big vials of blood and I got nauseous and threw up. I thought: "at least I'll know my blood type now and I won't have to do this ever again"...until later, when I found out that they did the TB TEST, and NOT THE BLOOD TYPE! So now I'm void of $40, my blood type, 4 vials of blood, and my dignity...at least I know I don't have TB.

Anyway...I can get a blood test again, this time just one small vial for my blood type. Should I do it? What happens if I do or don't know my blood type at West Point?
 
I thought they tested my blood type as a kid with a prick to the finger (which was worse than giving blood iirc).
 
There’s always the inherent risk of not knowing your blood type in the event of an accident, but if it’s a big hassle, you could just wait until at WP. Unless it’s not a big hassle— bc it’s important to know your blood type.
 
FL Jacob said:
Hi, CO 2024 here. I saw that we can optionally add our blood type, I don't know mine so we asked my doctor to order a blood type test at a lab, we also ordered a TB test because I wasn't sure if I needed one. I later found out I didn't need the TB test, only the blood type test. I went to the lab and clearly asked them NOT to do the TB test, only the blood type test. I had a terrible time with the blood withdrawal, they took four whole big vials of blood and I got nauseous and threw up. I thought: "at least I'll know my blood type now and I won't have to do this ever again"...until later, when I found out that they did the TB TEST, and NOT THE BLOOD TYPE! So now I'm void of $40, my blood type, 4 vials of blood, and my dignity...at least I know I don't have TB.

Anyway...I can get a blood test again, this time just one small vial for my blood type. Should I do it? What happens if I do or don't know my blood type at West Point?
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I would recommend just getting it done again because the information will need to be put on your dog tags. If you are completely unable to get it in time I know back in 2016 when I entered we had one day where we had to have blood drawn and tested to check blood type and check for an diseases. Hope this helps.
 
You can order blood typing kits on amazon and do it yourself. We did it with all of our kids as science projects. It would give you something to put down but in the event of an emergency they would have to type and cross match anyway, so it's a good starting point.
 
FL Jacob said:
Hi, CO 2024 here. I saw that we can optionally add our blood type, I don't know mine so we asked my doctor to order a blood type test at a lab, we also ordered a TB test because I wasn't sure if I needed one. I later found out I didn't need the TB test, only the blood type test. I went to the lab and clearly asked them NOT to do the TB test, only the blood type test. I had a terrible time with the blood withdrawal, they took four whole big vials of blood and I got nauseous and threw up. I thought: "at least I'll know my blood type now and I won't have to do this ever again"...until later, when I found out that they did the TB TEST, and NOT THE BLOOD TYPE! So now I'm void of $40, my blood type, 4 vials of blood, and my dignity...at least I know I don't have TB.

Anyway...I can get a blood test again, this time just one small vial for my blood type. Should I do it? What happens if I do or don't know my blood type at West Point?
Click to expand...

That's very strange. AFAIK, the TB test (also called Mantoux or PPD test) doesn't need any blood at all. They inject a small inoculum of some inactivated strain under the skin in your forearm. If you have latent TB infection, it will form a little pencil-eraser size nub in 48 hours. A positive test is followed up with an X-ray to rule out active TB infection. Caveat - I'm not a medical professional and there may be other tests for TB out there.
 
agniusma said:
That's very strange. AFAIK, the TB test (also called Mantoux or PPD test) doesn't need any blood at all. They inject a small inoculum of some inactivated strain under the skin in your forearm. If you have latent TB infection, it will form a little pencil-eraser size nub in 48 hours. A positive test is followed up with an X-ray to rule out active TB infection. Caveat - I'm not a medical professional and there may be other tests for TB out there.
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There are other TB tests that involve taking blood (interferon gamma release assays). The advantage of this test is that you don't need to return to your providers office in 48-72 hours to have the skin test checked for reaction.
 
kinnem said:
If you give blood, they will type it and let you know... or they used to anyway.
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My absolute first thought. Yes. They tell you on the spot.

FL Jacob said:
I had a terrible time with the blood withdrawal, they took four whole big vials of blood and I got nauseous and threw up. I thought: "at least I'll know my blood type now and I won't have to do this ever again"
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My second thought was, "You should go donate blood and get used to the idea. You give a whole big bag. And don't repeat to anyone what you just wrote."
 
cb7893 said:
My absolute first thought. Yes. They tell you on the spot.



My second thought was, "You should go donate blood and get used to the idea. You give a whole big bag. And don't repeat to anyone what you just wrote."
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I’ve seen some of the mightiest warriors on the planet get woozy when the needle comes out then commit extreme syncope when they see their blood gurgling in the tube.
 
For the OP, you’ll have to figure out how to not look at what’s going on, practice deep, calm breathing, take your mind to a happy place and compartmentalize. As Devil Doc notes, seeing this happen can hit people in different ways. I have no problem with seeing other people’s blood, patching up the dog’s cuts and scrapes or watching while the vet works, but I pick my spot to stare at and take myself mentally away to being on a sailboat and hearing the water rush alongside when the looking for a vein starts.

Giving blood, getting tested through blood draws, all part of military life. You can’t be forced to give blood, but I have clear memories of “okay, blood drive this afternoon, if we have 100% participation, the entire company gets 4 hours extra liberty tomorrow.”
 
Capt MJ said:
For the OP, you’ll have to figure out how to not look at what’s going on, practice deep, calm breathing, take your mind to a happy place and compartmentalize. As Devil Doc notes, seeing this happen can hit people in different ways. I have no problem with seeing other people’s blood, patching up the dog’s cuts and scrapes or watching while the vet works, but I pick my spot to stare at and take myself mentally away to being on a sailboat and hearing the water rush alongside when the looking for a vein starts.

Giving blood, getting tested through blood draws, all part of military life. You can’t be forced to give blood, but I have clear memories of “okay, blood drive this afternoon, if we have 100% participation, the entire company gets 4 hours extra liberty tomorrow.”
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Those are called required opportunities. :)
 
I went to give blood and try to find out my blood type recently too. It went horrible. They drew from both arms, and I got a hematoma. I filled the whole bag and donated 2 units. They reassured me that it would get donated AND tested. I waited a week and my account showed I donated 2 units but no blood type. I called a few different numbers to find out that the American Red Cross threw my blood away because they forgot to fill the test tube up.... I couldn't use my arms for at least 3 days and had huge bruises up and down my arms and my elbows for over 3 weeks. I was very upset about it. Anyways, I went to a strip mall place called AnyLabTestNow and got a blood type test for $28 and it was less than 5 seconds to draw it and the lady said my veins were very easy to use. I got my results back in less than 24 hours. I say try again! I know how much it sucks to get that news. But, you got to "get back up on that horse"!!!
 
Devil Doc said:
I’ve seen some of the mightiest warriors on the planet get woozy when the needle comes out then commit extreme syncope when they see their blood gurgling in the tube.
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I have never claimed to be a mighty warrior and that was certainly the case when after hours of labor and the birth of my first son, the OB-GYN handed me a pair scissors and steered my eyes to the umbilical cord. I wanted to say, "I thought I'm paying you to do this." But I didn't. I averted my eyes and cut through something like a garden hose with three-ply nylon fiber.

Second time around, I was prepared, as will be @FL Jacob next time around
 
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