What is covered in a DOT physical? - Truckers' Trucking Forum | Message Board

Gobi · **^ Top** #1 02.06.2007

I'm just curious about this. Is any blood taken, shots given, etc?

This may sound stupid but I'm asking because I absolutely HATE shots lol
Every time a needle pierces my skin I get whoozy and almost pass out. I guess you could say I have a panic attack but I'm not exactly sure if that is what's going on. I know of other people like this so it's not too embarrassing, I'm just curious.

Also was just wondering about the specific tests given and also what might disqualify me.
My vision is absolutely horrible without corrective lenses, but is 20/20 with corrective lenses. Do they care what your vision is like without lenses?

Thanks in advance

lil daddy · **^ Top** #2 02.06.2007

They will check your eyesight(with your corrective lenses on), your blood pressure, your pulse rate, your relexes and peripheral vision and listen to your heart and lungs and also check your hearing. They will also check to see if you are color blind. They will take a urine sample too but not for drugs. I think they ckeck it for substances that would indicate that there may be a problem with your blood sugar, at which point if they did find something I'm pretty sure that they would draw some blood. If you are okay in all of these areas, you'll be good for 2yrs.

mArTmAn · **^ Top** #3 02.06.2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by lil daddy

They will check your eyesight(with your corrective lenses on), your blood pressure, your pulse rate, your relexes and peripheral vision and listen to your heart and lungs and also check your hearing. They will also check to see if you are color blind. They will take a urine sample too but not for drugs. I think they ckeck it for substances that would indicate that there may be a problem with your blood sugar, at which point if they did find something I'm pretty sure that they would draw some blood. If you are okay in all of these areas, you'll be good for 2yrs.

I got all that done today plus they checked for hernia as well and I think you know how they do that.

They put a strip in a small urine sample that checks for things in your urine like glucose and some other things that may indicate liver problems. The strip had like 6 or 7 color codes on it if I remember right and I passed them all. They check my BP the first time and it was 160/110 then 20 minutes later it was 138/88 after I laid down and rested. I got a 1 year card due to BP meds.

Hope that helps some,

Marty

Gobi · **^ Top** #4 02.06.2007

Thanks for the replies!

midget28 · **^ Top** #5 02.06.2007

HEy I start school in a few weeks and they require a dot physical b4 showing up can you get them at a local hosiptal?

SteveWard3928 · **^ Top** #6 08.13.2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by midget28

HEy I start school in a few weeks and they require a dot physical b4 showing up can you get them at a local hosiptal?

.

I got my physical for Napier training and I had to go to a doctor that worked with the school.
Maybe they had a contract with him.

ParkRanger · **^ Top** #7 08.13.2008

Just watch the price for the physical. I was at orientation yesterday and folks paid anywhere from $60 to $400 for the physical. The school had a contract with a place where it was $60 so you might check where your school does it.

mstabosz · **^ Top** #8 08.13.2008

About the blood sugar thing.

I read that the regulations state you're fine if your blood sugar is below 200.

I have no clue what my blood sugar is. What I do know is that neither myself nor any member of my family has ever been diagnosed with diabetes. I just looked over the list of symptoms of high blood sugar on Wikipedia, and I don't seem to be suffering from any of that.

So then, am I worrying over nothing? Anyone have any experience with diabetes and high blood sugar that can tell me what a blood glucose level over 200 might indicate?

SteveWard3928 · **^ Top** #9 08.14.2008

Ok, believe it or not I am an R.N. wanting to go into trucking. There are 2 types of BS readings...fasting and non-fasting.
1) Fasting....No drinks or eats for approx. 8 hours before the test (if you can... schedule this test for early morning..or you will be hungry all day)

Blood Sugar level (BSL) will vary from facility to facility (hospitals, doctors office etc.) but a general rule is 90mg-110mg/dl is normal.

If you have a fasting (no eat-drink) test and it is above these limits you "might" get labeled a diabetic. I say "MIGHT" because it depends how above normal you are and your doc. If your BSL is 200mg/dl as mentioned earlier you will have a Dx. of diabetes.

**there are two types of diabetes 1) Insulin dependant and 2) non-insulin dependant. Type 1 = you will need shots of insulin daily. Type 2 = it is controlled by diet and oral medication. But there is a little good news...When a Dx. of diabetes is made and the patient is an adult..they are USUALLY type 2. Children are more likely to require insulin shots.
Any other questions let me know. Steve

GasHauler · **^ Top** #10 08.15.2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveWard3928

there are two types of diabetes 1) Insulin dependant and 2) non-insulin dependant. Type 1 = you will need shots of insulin daily. Type 2 = it is controlled by diet and oral medication. But there is a little good news...When a Dx. of diabetes is made and the patient is an adult..they are USUALLY type 2. Children are more likely to require insulin shots.
Any other questions let me know. Steve

People inject insulin ALL the time with type 2 diabetes. So I think you need to re-evualate that statement that type 2 is only controlled but diet and oral medication. All that doesn't matter when it comes to driving a truck. All that matters is if you inject insulin or not. The first time you need to control your diabetes with a needle you're out of a job driving a truck.

I'd also be VERY concerned about the blood pressure. Why is it so high?

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