Medicals: Protein in my urine - DRINK LOTS OF WATER!
Jan 27th 2009, 1:10 am
#1
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Medicals: Protein in my urine - DRINK LOTS OF WATER!
Just wanted to share my experience if it will help others cope should this happen to you....
It's been extremely hot in Melbourne and I'm not used to the taste of the water. When we had our medicals, I was told I would need to see a GP and have additional blood and urine tests, as their was a "moderate" amount of protein in my urine sample.
Hearing this gave me a huge shock and, had my husband not been there to run interference, I wonder if the doctor might not have ticked boxes for mental stability problems (seriously). As it was, he ticked that I had anxiety, though told me that was clearly related to being told I'd need additional tests.
Anyway, apparently this is very, very common and almost always (he said 99% of the time) related to being dehydrated. A few days of worry, two doctors appointments, a lab visit and a few hundred extra dollars later and I have a letter saying I don't have kidney disease or anything precluding immigration.
DRINK LOTS OF WATER for 24 hours before your medical exam! And don't freak out on the spot (like me) if you get sent for further testing...
That's all...
It's been extremely hot in Melbourne and I'm not used to the taste of the water. When we had our medicals, I was told I would need to see a GP and have additional blood and urine tests, as their was a "moderate" amount of protein in my urine sample.
Hearing this gave me a huge shock and, had my husband not been there to run interference, I wonder if the doctor might not have ticked boxes for mental stability problems (seriously). As it was, he ticked that I had anxiety, though told me that was clearly related to being told I'd need additional tests.
Anyway, apparently this is very, very common and almost always (he said 99% of the time) related to being dehydrated. A few days of worry, two doctors appointments, a lab visit and a few hundred extra dollars later and I have a letter saying I don't have kidney disease or anything precluding immigration.
DRINK LOTS OF WATER for 24 hours before your medical exam! And don't freak out on the spot (like me) if you get sent for further testing...
That's all...
Jan 27th 2009, 1:34 am
#2
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Location: Melbourne
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Re: Medicals: Protein in my urine - DRINK LOTS OF WATER!
We had meds done Melbourne on Friday (hot day again). Both 10 year old daughter and i had trace protein. I wonder if their cups are defective??
Jan 27th 2009, 1:46 am
#3
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Re: Medicals: Protein in my urine - DRINK LOTS OF WATER!
It's not the cups it's the dipsticks they use for the tests - known to give false positive readings throughout the medical fraternity. Every Dr and nurse I've asked about it has said "why do they still use those things?"
Jan 27th 2009, 2:33 am
#4
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Re: Medicals: Protein in my urine - DRINK LOTS OF WATER!
1 week later she had tonsilitis.. (sp?)
Em x
Jan 27th 2009, 4:01 am
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Re: Medicals: Protein in my urine - DRINK LOTS OF WATER!
Just curious, in addition to urine test what are the other tests? I know there should be a blood pressure test too. chest examination may be x-rays.. what else? anyone?
Jan 27th 2009, 4:24 am
#6
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Re: Medicals: Protein in my urine - DRINK LOTS OF WATER!
HIV and if you have had a tattoo they might do a hep B... chest x ray was done at a different place to our medicals too
Em x
Em x
Jan 27th 2009, 4:28 am
#7
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Re: Medicals: Protein in my urine - DRINK LOTS OF WATER!
For 457 we only had X-rays.
For PR, we had to do:
- X-rays again (it was just easier than tracking down the ones we had done last month for 457's, having them sent to a govt approved radiologist, etc.)
- blood draw (HIV, probably hepatitis, and I don't know what else they look for there, but not a fasting one or anything)
- listened to heart and lungs
- neck glands
- poked abdomen
- blood pressure
- interview about past hospitalizations, surgery, etc.
In downtown Melbourne, it took 3 hours...a lot of waiting in between steps. Cost was was under $300.
I am on medication for adult ADD (Wellbutrin and Ritalin), which is common in the US and very uncommon in Australia. My examining doctor was very kind and made a call to an approving high-level doctor who agreed to give me a pass on the condition without requiring a psychiatric re*****l, request for medical records, etc. This would have been quite expensive.
My advice is to 1) be honest 2) know what you're going to be asked about up front and bring documentation that can help deescalate any concerns, so you don't have to go to the next level (re*****ls to a GP/follow up exams) 3) keep it together emotionally! They are extremely courteous (like nearly all Australians that we've encountered) and do their best to make you comfortable. I didn't have to even disrobe, as an example. So don't let the health issues meets immigration issues element scare you, lest (like me) you start getting raised eyebrows about being a mental case!
For PR, we had to do:
- X-rays again (it was just easier than tracking down the ones we had done last month for 457's, having them sent to a govt approved radiologist, etc.)
- blood draw (HIV, probably hepatitis, and I don't know what else they look for there, but not a fasting one or anything)
- listened to heart and lungs
- neck glands
- poked abdomen
- blood pressure
- interview about past hospitalizations, surgery, etc.
In downtown Melbourne, it took 3 hours...a lot of waiting in between steps. Cost was was under $300.
I am on medication for adult ADD (Wellbutrin and Ritalin), which is common in the US and very uncommon in Australia. My examining doctor was very kind and made a call to an approving high-level doctor who agreed to give me a pass on the condition without requiring a psychiatric re*****l, request for medical records, etc. This would have been quite expensive.
My advice is to 1) be honest 2) know what you're going to be asked about up front and bring documentation that can help deescalate any concerns, so you don't have to go to the next level (re*****ls to a GP/follow up exams) 3) keep it together emotionally! They are extremely courteous (like nearly all Australians that we've encountered) and do their best to make you comfortable. I didn't have to even disrobe, as an example. So don't let the health issues meets immigration issues element scare you, lest (like me) you start getting raised eyebrows about being a mental case!
Jan 27th 2009, 5:37 am
#8
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Posts: 582
Re: Medicals: Protein in my urine - DRINK LOTS OF WATER!
For 457 we only had X-rays.
For PR, we had to do:
- X-rays again (it was just easier than tracking down the ones we had done last month for 457's, having them sent to a govt approved radiologist, etc.)
- blood draw (HIV, probably hepatitis, and I don't know what else they look for there, but not a fasting one or anything)
- listened to heart and lungs
- neck glands
- poked abdomen
- blood pressure
- interview about past hospitalizations, surgery, etc.
In downtown Melbourne, it took 3 hours...a lot of waiting in between steps. Cost was was under $300.
I am on medication for adult ADD (Wellbutrin and Ritalin), which is common in the US and very uncommon in Australia. My examining doctor was very kind and made a call to an approving high-level doctor who agreed to give me a pass on the condition without requiring a psychiatric re*****l, request for medical records, etc. This would have been quite expensive.
My advice is to 1) be honest 2) know what you're going to be asked about up front and bring documentation that can help deescalate any concerns, so you don't have to go to the next level (re*****ls to a GP/follow up exams) 3) keep it together emotionally! They are extremely courteous (like nearly all Australians that we've encountered) and do their best to make you comfortable. I didn't have to even disrobe, as an example. So don't let the health issues meets immigration issues element scare you, lest (like me) you start getting raised eyebrows about being a mental case!
For PR, we had to do:
- X-rays again (it was just easier than tracking down the ones we had done last month for 457's, having them sent to a govt approved radiologist, etc.)
- blood draw (HIV, probably hepatitis, and I don't know what else they look for there, but not a fasting one or anything)
- listened to heart and lungs
- neck glands
- poked abdomen
- blood pressure
- interview about past hospitalizations, surgery, etc.
In downtown Melbourne, it took 3 hours...a lot of waiting in between steps. Cost was was under $300.
I am on medication for adult ADD (Wellbutrin and Ritalin), which is common in the US and very uncommon in Australia. My examining doctor was very kind and made a call to an approving high-level doctor who agreed to give me a pass on the condition without requiring a psychiatric re*****l, request for medical records, etc. This would have been quite expensive.
My advice is to 1) be honest 2) know what you're going to be asked about up front and bring documentation that can help deescalate any concerns, so you don't have to go to the next level (re*****ls to a GP/follow up exams) 3) keep it together emotionally! They are extremely courteous (like nearly all Australians that we've encountered) and do their best to make you comfortable. I didn't have to even disrobe, as an example. So don't let the health issues meets immigration issues element scare you, lest (like me) you start getting raised eyebrows about being a mental case!
Jan 27th 2009, 6:53 am
#9
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Posts: 1,967
Re: Medicals: Protein in my urine - DRINK LOTS OF WATER!
I also have recently had a urine test which showed up traces of protein which I have NEVER had before. I then drank gallons of water before my next test and same results. Had additional tests at hospital but was found to be ok.
I think you could be right - a problem with the testing kit in this part of the world!
I think you could be right - a problem with the testing kit in this part of the world!
Jan 27th 2009, 8:57 am
#10
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Joined: Mar 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 227
Re: Medicals: Protein in my urine - DRINK LOTS OF WATER!
When we had our xrays and bloods done by HSA in Perth, it was a very hot day, and we were both dehydrated and i had protien trace. The nurse was really nice and said when we come back for the medical a few days later she would re-do the urine test, and thankfully all was fine.
She told us to drink 3 litres a day - which we did for the following 2 days!
She told us to drink 3 litres a day - which we did for the following 2 days!
Jan 28th 2009, 9:29 am
#11
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Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Perth
Posts: 30
Re: Medicals: Protein in my urine - DRINK LOTS OF WATER!
I also had this when I was in the UK and my doctor was just doing some normal tests. Not sure whether it is true but he said often when it is just a trace amount it is to do with 'being female' and not to sound crude but for future tests just to 'pop a tampon in'. Having taken this advice and had two medicals since for visa app it's advice that seems to work!
