To wonder why I have to do a urine sample to be registered with a gp

[thedaywewillremeber]

We’ve just been to get the forms for our new gp surgery. We’ve been told to give a urine sample. Aibu to wonder why if you had an infection for the most part you would be aware due to the pain of it. Especially with covid it seems an not needed thing to do.

Are you saying you had to give a urine sample in order to get the forms?

Or are you registering and they've offered you a health MOT, and part of that involves a urine sample? (I've been offered a health MOT registering for a new GP before, which I could imagine would include a urine test, but I declined to do the MOT).

no They let us have the forms but then have to be returned with the urine sample.

Aibu to wonder why if you had an infection for the most part you would be aware due to the pain of it.

I think they can tell other things from your sample besides infections - you could be diabetic and not know it for a start, and that would make a big difference to the sort of care they might expect you to need.

Not had this before but probably to check for protein which can be sign of kidney damage.

Also glucose for diabetes!

Urine test can reveal more than just an infection. Might also give a benchmark for future reference?

Lots of things other than infection that can be raised in urine. It's a cheap and quick test that is totally noninvasive which can flag potential health conditions that become more expensive to test the longer they are left.

Thank you everyone I can understand now I guess I didn’t think too much into as I’ve never been asked before when moving gp.

It's just as part of your overall health screen to pick upon any undiagnosed conditions, they're mainly looking for any signs of kidney damage or diabetes, as well as infection.

We recently moved and had to register with a new doctor. The forms said we had to make an appointment with a health care assistant and to bring a urine sample. When we took the forms in though, the receptionist said it was an optional physical.

UVe had to do one each time I’ve moved gp (3 times now) the checked for diabetes and also found traces of blood in one sample. I had no other symptoms so had to do a second sample the following day.

It's a cheap and cheerful screening test but I've never heard of anyone having to do this registering for a GP

It’s an optional healthcare check and not compulsory so you don’t need to provide a sample.