Tissue Type Test: What To Think About

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What To Think About

• A tissue type test is more useful than a blood type to see if two people may be related. Although tissue type cannot prove that two people are related, it can show how likely it is that they are related. Tissue type may be done as part of a lawsuit when blood relation is an issue. For more information, see the medical test Blood Type.
• A genetic test looks at a DNA sample for genes or to analyze the number, arrangement, and characteristics of the chromosomes. For more information, see the medical tests Genetic Test or DNA Fingerprinting.
• Having an antigen pattern that is linked with certain diseases does not mean that the disease is present or will definitely develop. Your doctor will talk to you about the chance for developing the disease.
• A person who wishes to be a possible tissue donor (such as a bone marrow donor) generally has a tissue type test. The person's antigen pattern is kept on file in a tissue donor bank and checked to see if it matches anyone needing a transplant.
• There are registries of people who have had tissue typing done and who offer to be donors to anyone in need.

Last updated:	September 15, 2008
Author:	Robin Parks, MS
Reviewed By:	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine, Brian Leber, MDCM, FRCPC - Hematology
Editors:	Maria Essig, Tracy Landauer