Registration appointment urine sample

I just went by the local GP practice to set up a registration appointment and fill in the forms they needed and they gave me a container for a urine sample.  I've been googling it and see that everyone has given one, but I can't find a reason why.  I've never had to provide a urine sample in the States when changing doctors, so it just seems a bit bizarre to me, especially since there is apparently no requirement for the container to be sample as they've just told posters on here to use any old jar they could find.

Do any of you know for sure what the use it for?  Diabetes screening?

I didn't have to do it at my first GP, but I did have to do it at my current one.

When I actually went into my appointment with it, the nurse I saw was surprised that I actually provided a sample.  She said not many people bother.

She then did some kind of dip test right in front of me (think pregnancy tests), but I have no idea what it was meant to check for.

It's not a big deal.

Diabetes.  My new GP doesn't, my old GP did. 

Yes, must be diabetes. DH once used an old pop bottle for his and mustn't have rinsed it out very well, because they became very alarmed 

My GP asked for one, and confirmed that it was just a quickcheck for diabetes, but I find it crazy that some folks have been told to bring any old container. I was given a sample cup at the office.

I have to go to the hospital for some series tests in a few weeks and they want the first urine brought with me for my afternoon appointment. 

They didn't give me a container and my appointment is after work.  I'm sure my workmates will love it.   

I was told they were checking for glucose levels - so as everyone here has said, diabetes.

I have to go to the hospital for some series tests in a few weeks and they want the first urine brought with me for my afternoon appointment. 

They didn't give me a container and my appointment is after work.  I'm sure my workmates will love it.   

Try stopping by your GP and asking for a container.

It seems the NHS is getting quite stingy with them, they keep handing me mine back to re-use (be so glad to have this baby so I can stop having to give urine samples practically once a week!)

My husband just had to do this too, and they gave him a test tube, rather than a regular sample cup!  It was a little difficult to fill, to say the least.

My husband just had to do this too, and they gave him a test tube, rather than a regular sample cup!  It was a little difficult to fill, to say the least.

That's what they gave me! It's practically impossible!

Do any of you know for sure what the use it for?  Diabetes screening?

I was told it was a diabetes screening.

My husband just had to do this too, and they gave him a test tube, rather than a regular sample cup!  It was a little difficult to fill, to say the least.

I give regular urine samples for my autoimmune condition and I have the test tube as well. Its amusing to fill to say the least.  Pee covered hands!

I find it interesting that it's usually 'just bring in any container'- Urine samples should be done with the person having cleaned first, then with clean hands and with a fresh urine stream- i.e. not the first drops, but stop the stream and then fill up.  Hmmm....  

I would really hope GPs surgeries are also checking for protein in the urine, as kidney disease is often symptomless until its too late and the best way to do this with urine testing (and blood tests for glomerular filtration rates)

And bizzare that they're doing urine checking for diabetes.   I guess the urine testing is a cheap/easy way to catch anyone with high glucose, but- The kidneys don't 'spill' glucose until the blood glucose levels are over 10 mmol/L, but diabetes is diagnosed at two confirmed fasting blood glucose levels of >7 mmol/L, and impaired glucose intolerance (i.e. a warning sign of an increased risk of getting Type 2 diabetes) is  5.5 mmol/L-6.9 mmol/L.  So that seems really outdated to me to do urine testing for diabetes!  

My husband just had to do this too, and they gave him a test tube, rather than a regular sample cup!  It was a little difficult to fill, to say the least.

Yeah what they gave me is like a test tube with a screw cap.  If he thought it was difficult for him it's not easy for a heavily pregnant woman either!

I had to give urine samples for diabetes every year when I was younger because I have a family history of diabetes.

Pee in a large paper cup or in a disposable aluminium baking pan, and then pour the pee into the sample cup or test tube.

I find it interesting that it's usually 'just bring in any container'- Urine samples should be done with the person having cleaned first, then with clean hands and with a fresh urine stream- i.e. not the first drops, but stop the stream and then fill up.  Hmmm....  

I would really hope GPs surgeries are also checking for protein in the urine, as kidney disease is often symptomless until its too late and the best way to do this with urine testing (and blood tests for glomerular filtration rates)

And bizzare that they're doing urine checking for diabetes.   I guess the urine testing is a cheap/easy way to catch anyone with high glucose, but- The kidneys don't 'spill' glucose until the blood glucose levels are over 10 mmol/L, but diabetes is diagnosed at two confirmed fasting blood glucose levels of >7 mmol/L, and impaired glucose intolerance (i.e. a warning sign of an increased risk of getting Type 2 diabetes) is  5.5 mmol/L-6.9 mmol/L.  So that seems really outdated to me to do urine testing for diabetes!  

I thought you only needed to do the "mid-stream" if they were checking for cystitis (bacteria)?

Yeah, they don't ask for urine samples at my US doctor's. They do blood work every year, though, so can check that for diabetes (I have family history of diabetes so they probably do check it in my case)