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- May 18, 2007
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- jsstevens
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Short version of the question: Blood work and visual field tests can be how old and still valid for 3rd class medical?
Gory details below:
For my last several medicals (3rd class) I've provided a letter from my Primary Care Physician regarding my thyroid condition and my blood pressure, both well controlled and stable for many years. The letter states the tested level and that they are well controlled. (In fact, the thyroid medication dose and type haven't changed in more than 10 years).
This time (last February) the AME said he needed the care notes from my PCP because "the FAA doesn't trust the letters any more". I provided the notes and he said they weren't sufficient because the DR didn't mention the thyroid in the notes.
Also complicating matters is I had a Posterior Vitrious Detachment and during the monitoring of that had a small tear repaired with laser surgery. (Awake, not much fun, but not to terrible either.) So now I need an 8500-14 and a visual field test. My retina Dr does not have the equipment for visual fields so he sent me to a glaucoma specialist. So I got the visual field test done and provided all this paperwork to the AME.
At that point, the AME said my lab tests were to old and I needed to redo them them get new Dr notes from my PCP. My PCP was out for knee surgery and so I informed the AME to let this medical application die of old age and we'd try again. And I asked how current do the visual field tests need to be? At which point he stopped corresponding.
All that leading up to this: I'm planning to make another run at this in January and I'm scheduling appointments now. So I need to know how current do the tests need to be?
Blood work is (I believe) 90 days. But what about visual fields?
And before anybody chimes in with Basic Med and the new MOSAIC rules, I am aware. But my spouse who has been incredibly supportive of all my flying (including spending a crazy amount of money for a MES rating in a Beech 18) has requested I continue to get a 3rd class medical because it makes her more comfortable.
John
Gory details below:
For my last several medicals (3rd class) I've provided a letter from my Primary Care Physician regarding my thyroid condition and my blood pressure, both well controlled and stable for many years. The letter states the tested level and that they are well controlled. (In fact, the thyroid medication dose and type haven't changed in more than 10 years).
This time (last February) the AME said he needed the care notes from my PCP because "the FAA doesn't trust the letters any more". I provided the notes and he said they weren't sufficient because the DR didn't mention the thyroid in the notes.
Also complicating matters is I had a Posterior Vitrious Detachment and during the monitoring of that had a small tear repaired with laser surgery. (Awake, not much fun, but not to terrible either.) So now I need an 8500-14 and a visual field test. My retina Dr does not have the equipment for visual fields so he sent me to a glaucoma specialist. So I got the visual field test done and provided all this paperwork to the AME.
At that point, the AME said my lab tests were to old and I needed to redo them them get new Dr notes from my PCP. My PCP was out for knee surgery and so I informed the AME to let this medical application die of old age and we'd try again. And I asked how current do the visual field tests need to be? At which point he stopped corresponding.
All that leading up to this: I'm planning to make another run at this in January and I'm scheduling appointments now. So I need to know how current do the tests need to be?
Blood work is (I believe) 90 days. But what about visual fields?
And before anybody chimes in with Basic Med and the new MOSAIC rules, I am aware. But my spouse who has been incredibly supportive of all my flying (including spending a crazy amount of money for a MES rating in a Beech 18) has requested I continue to get a 3rd class medical because it makes her more comfortable.
John
