Before donating blood, it’s important to understand the necessary blood tests that must be completed. Knowing what these tests are and why they are needed is essential in order to ensure a safe and successful donation. Let’s explore the common blood tests used when donating blood and why they are needed.
Hemoglobin Test
The hemoglobin test is an important part of the pre-donation screening process. This test measures the amount of hemoglobin in your bloodstream, which is a protein found in red blood cells that helps carry oxygen from your lungs to other parts of your body. The results from this test will help determine if you have enough red blood cells to safely donate without any adverse health effects on you or the recipient.
Blood Type Test
The second common test for donating blood is a type and screen or crossmatching test. This test will determine your exact blood type (A, B, AB or O) as well as any antibodies present in your system that could make it incompatible with certain recipients’ needs. If no incompatibilities are found between you and the recipient, then you can proceed with your donation after passing all other pre-screening requirements.
Hepatitis Test
Finally, all potential donors must undergo a hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) test before donating. This simple procedure looks for markers of infection within your bloodstream and helps determine whether or not you might be carrying any forms of hepatitis B virus (HBV). If no HBV markers are detected during this screening process, then you can proceed with giving blood after passing all other pre-screening requirements.
It’s important to get familiar with the common tests required when donating blood—and why they’re important—in order to ensure a safe donation experience for both yourself and those who will receive it. The hemoglobin test measures how much hemoglobin is in your bloodstream while the type and screen determines if there are any incompatibilities between you and the recipient. Finally, testing for hepatitis B ensures that neither donor nor recipient contracts this virus during the donation process. Being prepared ahead of time by knowing what these tests entail can go a long way towards making sure everyone involved has a safe experience!
