3rd class medical urinalysis?

On Mon, 16 Apr 2007 14:27:37 -0700, Robert M. Gary wrote:

That's why I never eat or drink anything other than water before the test.

I always drink extra coffee before the medical. I'd be terribly
embarrassed to have no pulse (not to mention that it might be
disqualifying), and coffee really gets my heart going.

- Andrew

Andrew Gideon writes:

I always drink extra coffee before the medical. I'd be terribly
embarrassed to have no pulse (not to mention that it might be
disqualifying), and coffee really gets my heart going.

Coffee and the caffeine it contains can raise blood pressure and cause
diuresis.

--
Transpose mxsmanic and gmail to reach me by e-mail.

Robert M. Gary wrote:



That's why I never eat or drink anything other than water before the
test. After a meal your blood suger will read higher. It would really
be crappy to fail that little test and spend 6 months trying to prove
to the FAA that you are not diabetic.


I've had this discussion with my AME. Eat a cup of pure cane sugar a
few hours before the test and it wouldn't matter.

I once had to have a medical exam as part of a job application. I made the
mistake of eating McDonalds for lunch about 20 minutes before the exam. I
had 2 burgers, large fries, and a large coke. My urine sugar levels were
through the roof.
Crash Lander

--
I'm not always right,
But I'm never wrong!
"Newps" wrote in message
. ..


Robert M. Gary wrote:



That's why I never eat or drink anything other than water before the
test. After a meal your blood suger will read higher. It would really
be crappy to fail that little test and spend 6 months trying to prove
to the FAA that you are not diabetic.


I've had this discussion with my AME. Eat a cup of pure cane sugar a few
hours before the test and it wouldn't matter.

Your blood sugar is a separate matter from urine glucose levels. This is
unnecessary unless you already ARE a diabetic in which case you've got
bigger problems than a 3rd class medical.

Typically glucose does not "spill" into the urine unless your blood
glucose exceeds 200-250. Normal is in the 80-100 range, and its not
uncommon to find diabetics on tight control who keep their sugar under 120.

ANY detectable glucose in the urine means your blood glucose is too
high. Your blood glucose wont get THAT high regardless of your intake
unless you have ineffective glucose production or utilization.

I would bet your doc can tell you are fasting when you take your test.
When you dont consume glucose, you burn fat, which causes ketones to be
produced. Ketones are READILY excreted in urine, and are also tested for
on pretty much any urinalysis or urine dip/screening.

Dave


That's why I never eat or drink anything other than water before the
test. After a meal your blood suger will read higher. It would really
be crappy to fail that little test and spend 6 months trying to prove
to the FAA that you are not diabetic.

-Robert

Dave S writes:

I would bet your doc can tell you are fasting when you take your test.

There's nothing wrong with fasting. Indeed, a fasting glucose level is more
important than a postprandial level for diagnosis of DM and late complications
of hyperglycemia.

--
Transpose mxsmanic and gmail to reach me by e-mail.

They also check for creatin levels. After an FAA medical a couple
medicals ago, the doctors said that I had protein in my urine. Not
enough to disqualify me, but enough that I should get it checked
again.

I did, and it was nothing. (I am -- ok, was -- a long distance runner,
and apparently, that can casue temporarily elevated protein levels in
a urinalysis.)

In any case, like others said, they are not checking for drugs, but
diabetes is not the only thing they are checking for.

-- dave j


YOu have assumed wrong they are checking your sugar levels. There isn't a
drug screen in the class 3 medical testing and there is no enabling law if
they wanted to.

Walt wrote:

I've always assumed it included drug screening.

if they did, they would charge you for the extra test,
haven't seen that on my bill yet. For the third class,
I reckon they just check whether your urine caramelises
or not...

--Sylvain

On Mon, 16 Apr 2007 14:16:56 -0700, Sylvain wrote:

Walt wrote:

I've always assumed it included drug screening.

if they did, they would charge you for the extra test,
haven't seen that on my bill yet. For the third class,
I reckon they just check whether your urine caramelises
or not...

Or just that it's warm and yellow.

Don

On Apr 16, 2:16 pm, Sylvain wrote:
Walt wrote:
I've always assumed it included drug screening.

if they did, they would charge you for the extra test,
haven't seen that on my bill yet. For the third class,
I reckon they just check whether your urine caramelises
or not...

--Sylvain

That's true. The 135 guys are paying a lot of money for the FAA
required drug test. They also have to pay for the drug test for the
A&P, the avionics guys and the IA that does their inspections. One guy
with one airplane has to pay for about 5 drug tests if he wan'ts to be
135.

-Robert