Keto diet and urine test for medical
08-16-2022, 05:11 PM
#1
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Joined APC: Apr 2015
Position: AA 737 FO
Posts: 65
Keto diet and urine test for medical
I have my class 2 at the end of the month and wonder if anyone has had issues with the diabetes urine test while being on Keto, I’m worried that being in ketosis will show a false positive for diabetes.
08-16-2022, 05:28 PM
#2
Furloughed Again?!
Joined APC: Aug 2007
Position: Boeing 737
Posts: 4,796
Originally Posted by WingAttackPlanR
I have my class 2 at the end of the month and wonder if anyone has had issues with the diabetes urine test while being on Keto, I’m worried that being in ketosis will show a false positive for diabetes.
08-16-2022, 05:46 PM
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2015
Position: MD-88 FO
Posts: 1,558
Originally Posted by ZapBrannigan
Wouldnt you have LESS sugar in your urine if you’re on a keto diet?
08-16-2022, 10:51 PM
#4
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2019
Position: E-175 FO
Posts: 112
Geeze guys at least try and google things before y’all post retarded replies.
I was on a keto diet once during an FAA medical exam- your body produces “ketones” (acid in your blood due to not having enough insulin while burning body fat) which does show up in the urinalysis. For diabetics this implies you are in serious distress.
The ame said, “There were ketones in your urine. Are you diabetic?” I said, “No, but I’m trying to lose weight.” He said, “Well eat more, can’t have ketones in your urine.” I got the impression maybe the FAA sees those results or something, idk.
He clearly believed me but the way he responded was like, “I don’t want anything coming back at me for this test result.”
So next time I had a medical I just went off the diet for a few days so my body would stop producing ketones and he was happy and that was that.
I was on a keto diet once during an FAA medical exam- your body produces “ketones” (acid in your blood due to not having enough insulin while burning body fat) which does show up in the urinalysis. For diabetics this implies you are in serious distress.
The ame said, “There were ketones in your urine. Are you diabetic?” I said, “No, but I’m trying to lose weight.” He said, “Well eat more, can’t have ketones in your urine.” I got the impression maybe the FAA sees those results or something, idk.
He clearly believed me but the way he responded was like, “I don’t want anything coming back at me for this test result.”
So next time I had a medical I just went off the diet for a few days so my body would stop producing ketones and he was happy and that was that.
08-17-2022, 03:42 AM
#5
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2015
Position: Yes
Posts: 139
Originally Posted by WingAttackPlanR
I have my class 2 at the end of the month and wonder if anyone has had issues with the diabetes urine test while being on Keto, I’m worried that being in ketosis will show a false positive for diabetes.
But in all seriousness, I've been doing Keto for about a year and at my last physical I told the guy upfront and he told me not to worry. I limit myself to 25g's carbs/day and I had no problems.
08-17-2022, 07:07 PM
#6
Airborne bus driver
Joined APC: Apr 2014
Position: my seat smells funny
Posts: 221
I once had to do a fasting blood test for a remote (non flying) gig. I also did the wizz quiz right after the blood test. The Doc who examined me said that thin people (I'm 5'11" and 120lbs) often go into Ketosis while fasting and it can present falsly as diabetes in urine. I always make sure to eat before my medical now!
RadialGal
RadialGal
08-17-2022, 07:14 PM
#7
Perennial Reserve
Joined APC: Jan 2018
Posts: 11,502
The FAA doesn’t give a rat’s rear about ketones in the urine, just sugar or protein. If your AME doesn’t realize that a keto diet causes ketosis, find a competent one.
Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners
Decision Considerations - Aerospace Medical Dispositions
ShareItem 57. Urine Test
Glycosuria or proteinuria is cause for deferral of medical certificate issuance until additional studies determine the status of the endocrine and/or urinary systems. If the glycosuria has been determined not to be due to carbohydrate intolerance, the Examiner may issue the certificate. Trace or 1+ proteinuria in the absence of a history of renal disease is not cause for denial.
08-17-2022, 09:10 PM
#8
Disinterested Third Party
Joined APC: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,023
Originally Posted by DocMcFly
Geeze guys at least try and google things before y’all post retarded replies.
I was on a keto diet once during an FAA medical exam- your body produces “ketones” (acid in your blood due to not having enough insulin while burning body fat) which does show up in the urinalysis. For diabetics this implies you are in serious distress.
The ame said, “There were ketones in your urine. Are you diabetic?” I said, “No, but I’m trying to lose weight.” He said, “Well eat more, can’t have ketones in your urine.” I got the impression maybe the FAA sees those results or something, idk.
He clearly believed me but the way he responded was like, “I don’t want anything coming back at me for this test result.”
So next time I had a medical I just went off the diet for a few days so my body would stop producing ketones and he was happy and that was that.
I was on a keto diet once during an FAA medical exam- your body produces “ketones” (acid in your blood due to not having enough insulin while burning body fat) which does show up in the urinalysis. For diabetics this implies you are in serious distress.
The ame said, “There were ketones in your urine. Are you diabetic?” I said, “No, but I’m trying to lose weight.” He said, “Well eat more, can’t have ketones in your urine.” I got the impression maybe the FAA sees those results or something, idk.
He clearly believed me but the way he responded was like, “I don’t want anything coming back at me for this test result.”
So next time I had a medical I just went off the diet for a few days so my body would stop producing ketones and he was happy and that was that.
Get a different AME.
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