Urine Sample and 1st Class Medical?

[johntlewis]

Hello All:

What's the main differences between the 1st and 2nd? I've heard that the only real difference is that they send off your urine for tests. What kind of testing do they do? What are they looking for? I feel like I'm in pretty good health, but I wouldn't want surprises when it comes time for me to get the 1st class.

Thanks,

John

[avi8tor]

I believe that they test your urine to see if it has sugar in it, that would be an indication of diabetes. For a breakdown of what is required for each class medical here is an easy to read chart.

http://www.leftseat.com/FAAforms.htm

[My Flight Surgeon]

The urine is tested for suger (glucose) and protein. The glucose is present if you have diabetes and the protein if you have significant kidney failure. These are done with a simple dip stick in the office and take a whole 5 seconds. The urine is not sent anywhere for testing for the FAA medical examination. (It is sent for drug testing by employers however)

The table avi8tor included is straight from the FAA and is a nice summary. See also the thread in Ask A Flight Surgeon http://www.jetcareers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37530 today which answers some of these questions.

[Spbeyond]

I have often worried about becoming diabetic and have a panic attack everything I have to do the urine test. Is there anyway to avoid a false positive? Or is a false positive even possible? I am really paranoid about getting into another battle with the FAA. They aren't the easiest to work with sometimes. (Struggled to get my medical for 2 years because someone mentioned ADD when I was a kid)

[My Flight Surgeon]

The test is just a screening test. There are not false positives, the test is specific for glucose.

If the urine test is positive, we suggest a blood glucose which will usually be normal.