The urine sample taken during a DOT exam provides a snapshot of your overall health, helping physicians detect various potential issues. While it does not check for drugs and alcohol—that’s a separate test if required—it does evaluate multiple aspects of your bodily functions. For example, protein levels in urine can signal problems with kidney function, as excess protein suggests something may not be working properly. Elevated glucose in urine is a red flag for uncontrolled diabetes, which can lead to serious health complications if left untreated.
The specific gravity test measures how well your kidneys are diluting your urine, and abnormal results may indicate kidney function issues. Infections are also detectable through markers like nitrites or leukocyte esterase, although this part of the test is not officially recorded on the DOT medical exam form. Lastly, the presence of blood in the urine could point to kidney or bladder infections, kidney stones, or, in more severe cases, cancer. These tests provide valuable insights into a driver’s overall health and help ensure they are fit to return to the road safely.
source: https://teamcme.com/what-does-the-dot-physical-exam-urine-sample-test-for/
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