Medical Question

[jergar999]

During a FAA medical exam (any class) is the urine taken tested for diabetes?

 

[TDTURBO]

Yes, it screens you. If it is positive, you will require more testing to determine what type you have.

 

[Pilot Doc]

If you are diagnosed with diabetes by your AME, it will almost always be type II (aka adult onset or non-insulin dependent.) If you have type II diabetes, your options for regaining your medical are pretty good. It will have to be relatively advanced before your urine shows evidence, however. Better to have it diagnosed with a blood test by your family doctor and start working on diet, exercise, etc while still early in the game.

Going to your appointment after a 6 hour fast will reduce the chances of a positive urine.

 

[Doug]

On that line. i still have not yet taken my medical in order to Solo. I plan to do that soon, as I am now working on landings...so down the road I imagine I will solo

Anyhow what exactly is involved in a class III medical, I can never find good information about how the exam is performed. What is checked, what should I be prepared for?

Thanks

 

[Pilot Doc]

It varies widely. There's the official FAA guidebook, but interpretation can vary. There's the usual heart, lung, reflex testing and so on. In terms of the below the belt stuff, a Class III requires examining for hernias (which involves the testicles) and inspecting (but not touching) the anus. The only other unusual items I recall are some vision testing which involves acuity, color vision and binocular vision. A urine sample is required; not sure for what it is tested apart from glucose.

 

[rumpletumbler]

and inspecting (but not touching) the anus.

lol....why would someone want to inspect an anus? Ewwwwwwwwww! I'm glad my AME doesn't "inspect my anus." Thats just nasty!

 

[Vector4fun]

If you are diagnosed with diabetes by your AME, it will almost always be type II (aka adult onset or non-insulin dependent.) If you have type II diabetes, your options for regaining your medical are pretty good. It will have to be relatively advanced before your urine shows evidence, however. Better to have it diagnosed with a blood test by your family doctor and start working on diet, exercise, etc while still early in the game.

What the Doc said. I'm Type II and so far as I know, they've never picked it up on my urine screen. It has to be pretty advanced as he said. My eye Doc was actually the first one to guess I had it and suggest I be screened. (mild blurry vision) If you suspect you're diabetec, get to your family Doctor and get screened and start working on a treatment plan. The earlier you start treating it, the easier it is to get under control. So long as you don't need insulin, the FAA is OK to work with. Just takes some labs and documentation.

 

[Doug]

If they have to inspect my anus I may pass on the whole flying thing

We'll I guess I will pick up some nice new underwear for the exam...glad I know.

 

[Doug]

Oh and lastly. I am nearsighted and require correction 20/40 in my right eye 20/50 in my left. Should I wear my glasses so they can inspect my vision without correction, or are contacts fine?

See I never wear glasses except occasionally when I am lounging around home. I hate wearing them, they make my claustraphobic.

 

[rumpletumbler]

Bring your contacts but you will be tested with and without them.

 

[Doug]

Guess it would be easiest to just wear glasses then, or is it required that I bring my contacts if I plan to wear them while flying(although I do always carry my glasses with me in the aircraft in case I have a contact problem.

 

[rumpletumbler]

Either or...your medical will probably be issued with "must wear corrective lenses" which covers both glasses and contacts.

 

[Doug]

Ok excellent, now I just need to stew about this whole rear end inpection thing...do AME's prefer waxed or shaved

 

[Pilot Doc]

Ok excellent, now I just need to stew about this whole rear end inpection thing.

Some AME's do it; some don't. Ask around at the airport about which AME's are popular.

 

[rumpletumbler]

Some AME's do it; some don't. Ask around at the airport about which AME's are popular.

That brings up a new question.

 

[Doug]

Good advice, I will ask around at my next lesson...I would like to spare my rear the embarassment if possible.

 

[mayday1]

Anyhow what exactly is involved in a class III medical, I can never find good information about how the exam is performed. What is checked, what should I be prepared for?

for a third class medical you basically have to be warm, demonstrate at least 20/40 vision (with or without glasses/contacts), and pass a urine test.

and even on the first class medical, there wasn't no anal inspection.....