Oral glucose test

[tailrotor]

So I got a message from casa after my recent medical that i needed to do an oral glucose test, needless to say I'm am extremely worried and was just wondering if anyone here had ever had to do the test? And if anyone had any advice?

[kiwiflyer]

Not sure how they determine who needs it and who dosent but think it has something to do with cholesterol readings or lipids or something as you can prob tell by now I am no doctor but I had to do it a few years ago its a gtt glucose tolerance test not to much of a drama but is done to test for the onset of diabetes.
Takes a few hrs, fast for 12 hrs do a blood test then drink a sugerey drink wait an hr then they take more blood then wait another hr and take more blood.
They can then tell if your body is processing suger properly.
I'm sure someone else can explain it better but that's version I seem to remember

[Knox Form]

Talk to your DAME. They should be able to give you some insight as to why the additional test has been requested.

Some additional information here: http://diabetessa.com.au/about-diabetes/diagnosis.html

[phugoyd]

I think just about everyone i know has had the same thing from CASA this year, something is not working in the test Department.

Phugs

[Heli]

It's a PITA. AvMed have changed the blood sugar level parameter from 6.0 to 5.5, citing 'advice from the Diabetes Association', but the DA only call for glucose tolerance testing for high risk patients between 5.5 and 6.0 on a three yearly basis.

Avmed have decreed that regardless whether you are low risk if you have 5.5 or above you will do a Glucose Tolerance test: every time, every year if needs be!!

The test is an overnight fast, blood test, then drink 300ml of high glucose concentrate. Wait an hour, another blood test. Then wait another hour and have a third test, then go home and wait for the sugar hit to go away. And wait weeks for Avmed to let you know that you're OK and maybe send out your medical certificate before your DAME's extension runs out! If you haven't heard with 2-3 weeks of that date phone them up and they'll send an extension letter if your test was OK.

I got caught in 2012, forgot in 2013 and got exactly 5.5 so had to do it again. Just lay off the chocolate and sugar laden coffee for a few days before your annual medical and you should be OK.

And complain to CASA that Avmed are again rewriting the rules without real justification. They need stopping, last year we (GAPAN) fought hard against a proposed policy to require older pilots to have specialised tests because the SMO of Avmed thought it a good idea. He won't stop until we're all grounded

[Little Bird]

Wow. I didn't know this was affecting others. I've had to do this the past 2 years. I'm tall, skinny & have no diabetes history yet CASA seemed to think I was approaching death each renewal!! The advice of preparing a little for the exam is probably a good one, lay off the artificial sugars and such and make sure to get in that exercise. This year I was supposed to be "audited" by CASA…so I moved to the US where the medicals here don't even bother with blood sugar tests…haha
Another problem I had last year with the additional checks was that it chewed up the 2 month validation period, leaving me with an in-valid medical and the possibility of being out of work.
Sincerely good luck with this, hope you don't get too stressed and it works out ok.

[truthinbeer]

Pretty much what everyone else has said. I am a larger frame so figured Avmed singled me out because of weight figures. Eat well a number of days before test in case your figure could be marginal. I laid off the booze a few days as well. Set aside 2-3 hrs for test.

[Robinsondog]

Well here is the bloke in charge of it, with a name like that what do you expect. I suggest you ring him and bone him out the more the better, they're not Jesus Christ superstar. Pooshan Navathe on 131 757

[hand in pants]

Talk to the pathology people before you go in. Mine said to fast for between 10 to 12 hours before the test, but not more than 12. More than 12 and your sugar levels can go crazy. Did the test and got my medical in the mail 10 days later. Still don't know why it was required.

[Heli]

Still don't know why it was required.

It's always been a requirement, but the goalposts have shifted and more fit and healthy pilots are getting 'caught' in the net. 6.0 was the cutoff, now it's 5.5

[BenThomas]

Totaly agree its a piss take (no pun intended) with a normal BGL range being 4-7 with the 4 being hypoglycemic (low BGL) and 7 Hyperglycemic. Reading how the test is carried out it sonds like a glucose tolerance test.

It is used to test for impaired glucose tolerance, wich at an appropreated Hyperglycemic level can indicate diabeties. But here is where the libertey starts to be taken, the World Heath Organisation (know as The WHO) accept a BGL of 7.8 - 11.1 at 2hours after you oral glucose as indicative of impaired glucose tolerance and BGLs above 11.1 and indicative of diabeties. So 5.5-6BGL is actualy a perficatly normal result after two hours, not indecative of anything other than you normal and yet agian getting bent over by the system.

Referances (old habbit when talkin all medicaly )

1.Glucose Tolerance Test at the US National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)

2.Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care. "Glucose tolerance test: how does it work exactly?". Informed Health Online. Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care. Retrieved 22 June 2013.

3.World Health Organization and International Diabetes Federation (1999). Definition, diagnosis and classification of diabetes mellitus and its complications. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization.

4.Salford Royal NHS Trust. "Glucose Tolerance Tests in Primary Care". Retrieved 2012-06-20.

5.Dr Jane Patmore (2009). "Oral Glucose Tolerance Tests: Protocol and Guidance". Hull and East Riding Diabetes Network, Hull NHS teaching hospitals trust. Retrieved 2012-06-20.

6.Hartling, L; Dryden, DM; Guthrie, A; et al (October 2012). "Screening and Diagnosing Gestational Diabetes Mellitus". Evidence Reports/Technology Assessments, No. 210. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Retrieved 22 June 2013. Cite uses deprecated parameters




Ben Rant Over Thomas

[Twin Head]

Must be quiet at work Benny

[BenThomas]

sssshhhh you will jinx it.

[mja]

Yep - had one just recently. I had booked in my blood tests for my Class 1 medical and a friend turned up the night before, got on the piss and then OMG, I received a letter from CASA and had to do the glucose test! Stuff!!!!!! Over 2 hours to drink the nice sugary drink and three pricks in the arm to boot. My doctor laughed when I told him I had a few the night before and received a letter from CASA....... I had no problems with the drink/test. I received my medical a couple of weeks later, however, I have been selected to do an audit next year on my blood sugar levels. I will be very careful in that week, I promise.........................