jmarcustaylor

Had a buddy of mine who was just diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. He said he had no symptoms and the only reason they’re aware of it is from a recent military flight physical exam indicating high glucose. He saw an endocrinologist who diagnosed him as type 1 due to an autoimmune condition. That being said the endocrinologist said after the last week of glucose readings they aren’t putting him on any meds to include insulin and will continuously monitor his glucose. He doesn’t know what to do with that. I showed him what the FAA has and after reading it myself it seems like his current “treatment” of just monitoring doesn’t fit the two paths laid out by the FAA. One path is diabetes with medicine other than insulin. The other panther is insulin treated diabetes. Again, he’s saying he was told to continue to monitor it and he may not need anything for 3 months or 3 years+. Any advice from current AMEs would be helpful. Is his medical still valid as is? If not, what’s the 3rd path he needs to take because he clearly isn’t in the two paths laid out by the FAA for diabetes.

Brickfire

This gets into the realm of somewhat arbitrary definitions of where the line is between diabetes and normal.

The body needs insulin. The pancreas makes insulin. When the pancreas fails and makes zero insulin you have type 1 diabetes and you die without insulin shots.

Your buddy is sort of half-pregnant with a pancreas that apparently makes very little insulin but just enough that he can live without insulin shots.

The FAA is concerned with sudden incapacitation. Insulin shots are actually worse than diabetes in that regard. Too much insulin you go unconscious within minutes. Untreated diabetes takes weeks to months to impair you.

There’s a saying in medicine “when you hear hoofbeats, think horses not zebras. This is a zebra. He needs to bring in a specialist AME

WhisperJet

Mayo Clinic.

Excargodog

I think he will likely qualify for a special issuance as long as he demonstrates that his condition is well controlled and being appropriately treated. The fact that he isn’t YET severe enough to require insulin is a plus, not a negative.

https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org...quirements.pdf

https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org...TDM%20FAQs.pdf


For that matter, depending on his actual findings, he might meet FAA criteria for pre diabetes:

https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org..._Worksheet.pdf

jmarcustaylor

Thank y'all for the replies. I have directed him to this forum for the information provided.

Xdashdriver

Much better idea to direct him to AMAS or another special case AME that can give him the real answers he needs.

Excargodog

Actually, if his military flight surgeon can get him a waiver from their surgeon’s office, the FAA might well just honor it. A lot of the FAA docs are ex military as have been many Federal Air surgeons. Including the incumbent.

https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org...cials/northrup

Boxhound

Hey Buddy

Direct your friend to this guy in Frisco TX.

Dr Stephen Kramer

His phone number is 972-731-9555


Trust me on this one because he's helping me get my medical back, and he's the best in the business---hands down.