Change in results on direct coombs test?

Question

In 1981 my direct coombs was positive for antibody of Anti-A on my red blood cells. Today my coombs test came back negative for antibodies. Is this a normal event?

Answer 1

Yes.  For whatever reason, you were exposed to some anti-A antibodies (possibly a transfusion of blood or blood products?) and these antibodies attached themselves to your type A red cells.  However, long ago, your body destroyed those anti-A antibodies when the red cells were destroyed.  Red cells live around 4 months and are destroyed by the body, usually in the spleen.  Most of the red cell components are recycled to make new cells.