Hi, I just had a DOT physical. The Dr. would only give me a 3 month card because I am diabetic. Can anyone tell me at what level my A1c test needs to be to get more than a 3 month card. I am 8.1 now

Thanks

 

Why didn't you ask the Dr. that question instead of posting on the internet?

 

It is not a level, the test shows if your diabetes is under control and getting better. If you are not controlling it the test will show this and you will not be able to retain your CDL.

 

Was this your regular doctor? Of all the DOT physicals I have taken none of them had the time to do the lab test necessary to obtain a A1c result.

I have always told them I was a Type 2 Diabetic and I always get a one year card. Usually they do a finger prick test and as long as your under 180 your good to go. At least that has been my experience.

 

i just took my dot physical and im type 2 also all they wanted was to see my last blood test from my family doc i had it faxed it was 7.1 and the dot doc said that was fine. now my card before was good for 2 yrs and this card is also good for 2 yrs.

 

i forgot to add my last test was april of this yr the dot doc did say he likes to see diabetics ck there a1c at least 2 times a yr but for the last 6 yrs i have it done once a yr and had no problems.

 

Legally your card is only valid for one year. Per FMCSA regs diabetics must be examined at least yearly.
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Garloo, how long have you been diabetic? Is this your first DOT physical since becoming diabetic?

If you are a new diabetic this is probably why you were given a 3 month card. The examining physician wants to make sure that you are making real efforts at controlling your diabeties and if you can show him/her that you have made improvements you should get a 1 year certificate at the end of the 3 month one. Work at keeping your daily testings under 150 and shoot for an A1C test as close to a 7 as possible. Even a 7.5 on your next one will probably be enough to show you are working on it.

 

thanks uturn i stand corrected cked my card

 

Thanks for replying. I have had many DOT physicals, but this was the
first time I did not go to my own Doc. The company I work for paid for it so I thought I would give it a try. I guess that I am a bit over the level. I am going to see my own Doc and see what he can do. My level has been going
down for the last 2 years, but I am not quite there yet. My own Doc always
gives me a 1 year card, and I have an A1C about every 90 days or so. THANKS.

 

Having been a type 2 diabetic for the last 5 years, and controlling it with Metformin, diet, and some (cough-cough) exercise, the need for testing your own blood and getting blood work done every 3 to 6 months is very important if you want to maintain your health and your driving job.

At my last dot physical in July my blood tested at 190 that morning, but the doctor asked if I had eaten and I said of yes, my regular bowl of grape nuts. He wasn't too concerned then.

Also, this is a tip for all you drivers that are type 2. Please Please Please remember to bring the latest copy of your blood work, specificly your HB1AC results not more than 6 months old to your dot physical. If you don't, you will only get a 3 month card until you produce the test results.

This will save you time, money, and aggrevation at the doctor's.

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