Need info about blood sugar requirements for DOT physical

Lol, read the paragraph right where your arrow is. It’ll give you a hint of what I’m talking about.

The urinalysis is required as a preliminary test..

A blood test isn’t required but it will override the urinalysis. Trust me, I’ve been sleeping with a Dr for over 15 years..

Not to change the subject but telling the OP to buy a camper instead is purely ignorant.

I have been “pre diabetic” for years and it hasn’t affected me on bit. Still get a 2 year card every time.

Any Dr will and would prefer a blood test over urinalysis test but it’s “not required”.

 

If you're happy with the physicals that's great. I did not really catch that camper remark until you just mentioned it. Not meaning to hijack the thread but I currently use urine dip checks about every other day. I use these----



I keep a log of some of these readings. I have not driven for close to 8 years now. I am an insulin-dependent type 2 diabetic that also has Epilepsy. My medical providers have asked me to do this.

One item I can agree with is the last statement in post 16. It's not just diabetes. It's also our hearts and eyesight. One thing that almost brings me to tears is reading where someone is asking for or providing a means to cover up things like high blood sugar or blood pressure. They always use the "it's my life and if I lose my medical I can't work " excuse. My reply is now and always will be what good is that (redacted) CDL if you are dead? Your health must ALWAYS come first!

 

Living in a homeless shelter is not conducive to good health or a happy marriage. The stress of not providing for your family will kill you faster than type 2 diabetes.
What exactly does the skills of truck driving transfer over to? Many drivers would be lucky to get a wherehouse or telemarketing job at half the pay with crappy insurance so you can't take care of your health.

Yes I'm going to suggest ways of lowering sugar in their systems to pass a DOT physical. And I'll even suggest they keep their mouths shut about any medical conditions or concerns they have as well. Get in get that ##### two year card and then go to your primary care doctor and get things taken care of. While working, having insurance and taking care of your family.

Start Fasting and drinking lots of water. Get Blood Glucose test strips as well as urine test strips. Don't eat till the strips give you good readings and then go get the DOT medical exam done. This will not be easy but you can do it. Ya might want to take a weeks vacation to be safe. Some people get lightheaded. Others have more energy. You won't know til you do it.

Get
The Diabetes Code: Prevent and Reverse Type 2 Diabetes Naturally
Book by Jason Fung
My cardiologist recommend it to me.

Truly get medical attention for any condition you have but a DOT medical exam is NOT the place for that.

Good luck.

 

In reply let me tell a story about someone I will call "Jimmy". I first met Jimmy about 35 years ago when he was driving for a now-defunct carrier based out of North Georgia. Jimmy went with JB Hunt after they bought this carrier out and drove for them until close to 2000. Then got a local job for a number of years. Jimmy's blood pressure was always high. Many times over the years he had to "doctor shop" after getting rejected. Jimmy also was a type 2 diabetic and let his sugar get out of control and it stayed that way. Not long after I retired and moved to Virginia from Georgia I got a call from Jimmy's daughter telling me the Georgia State Patrol discovered his dead body slumped over his steering wheel at a pickle park on I 75 in South Georgia. Jimmy had a massive Heart Attack and most likely was dead before his body hit that wheel. Jimmy covered up his issues with temp cures and crazy stuff then went back to his old lifestyle. While I am always concerned that a driver has the ability to drive I am never going to agree with hiding things just to get a medical card is an answer. The system is set up to allow a driver to get help, but the driver must want that help and be willing to the lifestyle changes required. The sad fact is most WILL NOT make these changes and suffer a life-changing medical event that either kills them or disables them for years if not the rest of their life.

This situation gets worse as the driver ages. Drivers like the man in the photo below as they age might well become a ticking timebomb! I don't know about you but I DO NOT want to be close by when it goes off. If a driver is unwilling to the lifestyle changes to stay healthy in this job they are simply playing Russian Roulette with their health, and as in Jimmy's case there was a round in the chamber!

 

Yep I love fasting. always feel better during and after fasts

 

That man deserves an award for that dedication