Exceptionally concerned

[ozuk]

I applied for a visa 10 months ago. I had a medical where they did a blood test, urine test and a chest Xray. The doctor said I had to do another urine test as there was protein in it. What does that mean? What do they check for with a urine test? Does this mean I'm diabetic? If so what type?

[kimboslice]

36 minutes ago, ozuk said:

I applied for a visa 10 months ago. I had a medical where they did a blood test, urine test and a chest Xray. The doctor said I had to do another urine test as there was protein in it. What does that mean? What do they check for with a urine test? Does this mean I'm diabetic? If so what type?

I had blood in my urine, failed the medical and was referred back to my gp. I had to see a kidney specialist on the nhs but the waiting list was too long so I went private, I was given the all clear after numerous tests and went on to pass my medical, all the best to you.

[ozuk]

Oh my god that's terrible! I had my medical in Jan of this year. Not heard back from them and have been very ill for the past 4 months. I think I had sepsis in March and haven't recovered. It's the urine protein that bothers me more though. It's been 6 months since I had the health assessment.

[Amber Snowball]

52 minutes ago, ozuk said:

Oh my god that's terrible! I had my medical in Jan of this year. Not heard back from them and have been very ill for the past 4 months. I think I had sepsis in March and haven't recovered. It's the urine protein that bothers me more though. It's been 6 months since I had the health assessment.

It can be as simple as an infection or fever, or more serious that there is a problem with the kidney. Did you go to your local GP and ask them to follow up? If not, might be worthwhile. Take a sample with you for them to dip.

Not diabetes, that’s glucose.

[Marisawright]

4 hours ago, ozuk said:

Oh my god that's terrible! I had my medical in Jan of this year. Not heard back from them and have been very ill for the past 4 months. I think I had sepsis in March and haven't recovered. It's the urine protein that bothers me more though. It's been 6 months since I had the health assessment.

You think you had sepsis?   Did you see a doctor?   I would certainly follow up the urine protein with your GP - maybe your recent illness was actually a kidney infection.

[ozuk]

I'm not sure. I thought the Bupa panel doctor would have let me know something. 

[Tulip1]

I am pretty sure that can be a sign of diabetes. It’s certainly indicating you may have an issue with kidney function. You were told over 7 months ago something wasn’t right and have been very ill for months yet you haven’t seen a doctor to have it investigated? That’s quite astonishing, I think you’d be wise to book an appointment. 

[newjez]

13 hours ago, ozuk said:

I applied for a visa 10 months ago. I had a medical where they did a blood test, urine test and a chest Xray. The doctor said I had to do another urine test as there was protein in it. What does that mean? What do they check for with a urine test? Does this mean I'm diabetic? If so what type?

Protein in your urine generally means you have a urinary tract infection. Or possibly a kidney infection if it hasn't been treated. You would have been feeling unwell, and it would sting when you urinated. It can heal by itself, but generally you take antibiotics.

You probably didn't have sepsis, because you would have been very ill, and untreated you probably would have died. An infection is not the same as sepsis.

You should be seeing your GP for these things. An immigration medical shouldn't be used for diagnosis purposes. If you are sick, see your doctor or A&E.

[ozuk]

2 hours ago, Tulip1 said:

I am pretty sure that can be a sign of diabetes. It’s certainly indicating you may have an issue with kidney function. You were told over 7 months ago something wasn’t right and have been very ill for months yet you haven’t seen a doctor to have it investigated? That’s quite astonishing, I think you’d be wise to book an appointment. 

I did have a urine test recently for a suspected UTI infection but it came back negative. No infection found. But since they were looking for an infection they might have missed any protein? Maybe they didn't spot it whilst doing the culture perhaps.

Edited August 9, 2020 by ozuk

[Amber Snowball]

3 hours ago, Tulip1 said:

I am pretty sure that can be a sign of diabetes. It’s certainly indicating you may have an issue with kidney function. You were told over 7 months ago something wasn’t right and have been very ill for months yet you haven’t seen a doctor to have it investigated? That’s quite astonishing, I think you’d be wise to book an appointment. 

Protein can appear in diabetes but usually it’s after long term hyperglycaemia, so I would have expected the person to have other symptoms, thirst, weight loss etc.

[Amber Snowball]

26 minutes ago, ozuk said:

I did have a urine test recently for a suspected UTI infection but it came back negative. No infection found. But since they were looking for an infection they might have missed any protein? Maybe they didn't spot it whilst doing the culture perhaps.

Did you tell them the Bupa doctor had said there was protein in the urine? They would usually have dipped the urine as a matter of course. 

Tbh if the bupa doctor was that worried they would have told you to follow up with your GP. They just wanted a re test, yes? Maybe you were dehydrated?

I think you need a proper consultation with your GP not a public forum. 

[ozuk]

The Bupa doctor asked if I was dehydrated and I said yes. It was warm and I was anxious about the tests. What do they test urine for anyway at the health assessment, anyone know? 

[ozuk]

31 minutes ago, ozuk said:

The Bupa doctor asked if I was dehydrated and I said yes. It was warm and I was anxious about the tests. What do they test urine for anyway at the health assessment, anyone know? 

Not sure but I'd rather not know.

[Amber Snowball]

1 hour ago, ozuk said:

The Bupa doctor asked if I was dehydrated and I said yes. It was warm and I was anxious about the tests. What do they test urine for anyway at the health assessment, anyone know? 

That’s probably why they wanted another urine dip then, to see if on another day when you might be better hydrated that protein disappeared.

The test for all sorts of things, blood, sugar, protein, white cells, the urine can offer some indications as to if there is something else going on. Not much is diagnosed just with urine though, other investigations would then follow.

If the bupa doctor didn’t tell you to follow up with your GP then they weren’t that concerned. They have a duty of care.

[Amber Snowball]

Reading your post on another thread it sounds like you did the second urine dip at the same appointment?? If that is the case it would seem it was ok as you haven’t been referred for extra investigations?

[KangaKit]

17 hours ago, ozuk said:

I applied for a visa 10 months ago. I had a medical where they did a blood test, urine test and a chest Xray. The doctor said I had to do another urine test as there was protein in it. What does that mean? What do they check for with a urine test? Does this mean I'm diabetic? If so what type?

Hi, could be sign of uti..though you would have other markers flagged up, could also be thrush? Or if you are female can simply be a hot day and vaginal discharge..sorry if tmi..there are of course other reasons but these are probably the most common. 

[ozuk]

17 minutes ago, KangaKit said:

Hi, could be sign of uti..though you would have other markers flagged up, could also be thrush? Or if you are female can simply be a hot day and vaginal discharge..sorry if tmi..there are of course other reasons but these are probably the most common. 

When I googled protein in urine online it came up with diabetes. The Bupa doctor never mentioned diabetes. They said if I didn't hear back from them everything was ok. I never heard back from them. So they kept quiet about it.

[KangaKit]

6 hours ago, ozuk said:

When I googled protein in urine online it came up with diabetes. The Bupa doctor never mentioned diabetes. They said if I didn't hear back from them everything was ok. I never heard back from them. So they kept quiet about it.

I think if you're worried speak to your gp.

[Nemesis]

14 hours ago, ozuk said:

When I googled protein in urine online it came up with diabetes. The Bupa doctor never mentioned diabetes. They said if I didn't hear back from them everything was ok. I never heard back from them. So they kept quiet about it.

They would not "keep quiet about it". If you never heard back then everything was OK. 

If there was a cause for concern they would need to record that as part of the medical, and they also have a duty to inform you that there is a problem, and would advise you to follow up with your GP. 

Self-diagnosis by google is dangerous. You do not have the full test results or the expert training of a doctor. If you are concerned go to a GP not to google.
 

[Toots]

14 hours ago, ozuk said:

When I googled protein in urine online it came up with diabetes. The Bupa doctor never mentioned diabetes. They said if I didn't hear back from them everything was ok. I never heard back from them. So they kept quiet about it.

If you are so worried about your health and you say you have been ill for the last 4 months why haven't you been to a GP?  It's not really much help to you if all you are doing is googling your symptoms and asking people on a forum for a diagnosis.  Make an appointment to see a doctor asap.  Might put your mind at rest.