Urine tests for class one

[df1]

Hi,

I hold an FAA 1st and JAA Class one. I recently visited my doctor complaining of abdominal pains - much akin to an ongoing stomach upset! I provided a urine sample which he dipped and found a small amount of blood (invisible to the eye)!

After sending the urine along with a blood sample for analysis it was found there was infection (from the urine. blood was normal). I took the anti-biotics and the infection cleared - but the blood is still present!

I went for a consultation and subsequently an IVU (suspected kidney stones). I am told that all is clear with the kidneys, but - you guessed it - the blood is still there along with intermittent discomfort in that area.

On the strength that it was not kidney stones (disqualifying), I attended an overdue FAA medical. Everthing normal except for that little bit of blood in urine! He issued the cert but said the FAA will enquire at some stage as to the problem!

Please, could anyone offer advice on this. I must visit a renal specialist because my GP suggets it may (stress may) be a leaking kidney:confused: He also thinks that I have IBS:\ as I also have the symptoms of that condition! Surely not two probs?

If anyone can offer advice on this I would be very grateful and releived to hear that its not likely to affect my flying career. I am worried about the whole thing :ouch: I am 28, don't smoke and enjoy the odd pint!

Many Thanks
df1

[PFLsAgain]

Hi df1

The repeat urine test after your antibiotic course - was it done by dipping a stick into a sample, or was it a microscopice examination? The reason I ask is that the dip-stick tests can give false positives. ie they can say blood is present when it is not. A microscopic examination would resolve this. I've just been through the same routine myself. I'm pleased to say it was a false positive and therefore no problem.

[df1]

Hi PFLsAgain,

A repeat was done at the surgery with the dipstick (post anti-biotics). They also sent away the second sample for a microscopic examination. This came back clear of infection but still containing blood cells (I think!). I have supplied another sample and it has been sent away (this will be the third microscopic). I await the results.

There was only one occasion in this when the dipstick showed clear which was when in the presence of the consultant urologist. I was obviously releived to hear that. he still reffered me for the IVP though and it is entirely normal. He even produced a letter to that effect fot the FAA/JAA.

The next occassion was the FAA 1st class medical. It was dipped and was present! (Sod's Law!). Apparently the FAA will write to me to find out whats happening about it!

Finally, today, at Wolverhampton Nuffield, i saw the renal specialist. Again it was present (dipstick) but he has asked for two more microscopic analyses! He calls this Haematuria, but stresses that I don't have the other factors which suggest renal disease i.e. high blood pressure, protein in urine or family history.

Sorry to ramble on here PFLsAgain. I am pleased your problem has cleared though! I can't wait to get a clean bill of health as I am in limbo with it all!

King Regards
df1

[Corporate Yank]

I also experienced this finding at a company annual medical exam a few years ago. The Doc had me get a sonogram of my kidneys (normal) and then a cystoscopy of the bladder (that's right, they ram this fiber optic probe up your crank and take a look around). Every time you urinate for the next 24 hours, you'll see that Michael Flatley? isn't the only guy who can do the "riverdance". Anyway, it turns out that some folks kidneys just don't filter as well as others for a myriad of reasons. The Doc said you're OK, don't worry yourself any more. Oh, if you have a cystoscopy performed, just keep murmuring happy thoughts, like "nice blue skies, puffy little white clouds, both engines still running", etc. And yes, some of the nurses will hold your hand and maybe complement you on your fortitude.

CY

[df1]

Thanks to the above for your replies.

I am off to the doctor again soon so hopefully I will get clean bill of health :cool: !!

Corporate Yank, that cystoscopy sound like :mad: painful!

PFLsAgain, thanks, check your PM's.

Best wishes
df1
:ok:

[Shaker One]

df1

I had the same thing 10 years ago now and still hold a JAR Class One. In short, I've had all the tests and the diagnosis was 'Thin basement membrane syndrome (or disease)'. I prefer syndrome!

In other words, as I think CY has mentioned, some folks kidneys just let the odd microscopic blood trace sneak through. Something to do with the walls of the kidneys filtration system being a little thin in places. For me the blood trace is there on average every other year. The JAR lot know about it and as long as no 'real' disease is present, they don't seem to care. I did have Cat scan a couple of years ago as they had asked for the 'problem' to be further investigated but no abnormality was revealed, so again they're happy.

All the best

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Shaker One