Antibody Tests

Coombs' Test, Indirect Coombs' Test

Why It Is Done

Direct Coombs test

The direct Coombs test finds antibodies attached to your own red blood cells. The antibodies may be those your body made because of disease or those you get in a blood transfusion.

The direct Coombs test also may be done on a newborn baby whose mother has Rh-negative blood. The test shows whether the mother has made antibodies and if the antibodies have moved through the placenta to her baby.

Indirect Coombs test

The indirect Coombs test finds antibodies that are in your blood but not attached to your red blood cells. The indirect Coombs test is commonly done to find antibodies in a recipient's or donor's blood before a transfusion.

An Rh antibody titer, is done early in pregnancy to check a woman's blood type. If she is Rh-negative, steps can be taken to protect the baby.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated July 27, 2006
Medical Review:	Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine W. David Colby, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease
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