How to prepare
No fasting or special preparation is required. You can eat and drink normally before your blood draw.
Your blood type does not change, so there are no timing considerations. A small blood sample is taken from a vein in your arm at the pathology centre.
After the test
Record your blood type somewhere safe and accessible. It is worth keeping a copy with your medical records and letting your GP know.
If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy and your result shows Rh negative, discuss Rh incompatibility management and anti-D injections with your obstetrician or midwife. If this test was requested ahead of surgery, a transfusion, or organ donation, share the result with the clinical team managing your care.
Your test results will be available in your private dashboard. If there are any urgent issues, we'll let you know so you can follow up with your health professional.
Understanding results
Your result will confirm one of eight blood types: A+, A-, B+, B-, AB+, AB-, O+, or O-. This is a factual result with no normal or abnormal range.
The ABO group is determined by which antigens (A, B, both, or neither) are present on your red blood cells. The Rh factor indicates whether the D antigen is present (positive) or absent (negative). Around 85% of Australians are Rh positive.
Rh status is particularly relevant in pregnancy. If you are Rh negative and carry an Rh-positive baby, your immune system may produce antibodies against your baby's red blood cells. This is manageable with anti-D immunoglobulin injections, which your obstetrician or midwife will discuss with you.
