Nervous about visiting an endocrinologist?
- decemberart
- May 9, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: May 13, 2023
Are you nervous about your trip to the endocrinologist?
Are you wondering what the doctor dose on the first visit? Here is what you can expect when you meet your endocrinologist for the first time and how you can prepare for this so that the appointment proceeds smoothly.
What You Should Expect On Your First Visit? An endocrinologist visit is like a visit to any other doctor. Your endocrinologist will ask about your symptoms, medications, health habits, and family history of hormone-related problems. Your old medical records and reports if any are available will be reviewed.
The doctor will assess your weight, height, blood pressure and pulse rate. They may get a blood glucose levels checked in a glucometer depending on the circumstances. They will perform a medical examination concentrating on specific areas depending on your complaints.
After reviewing your latest reports and medications the doctor will discuss your diagnosis with you and provide the treatment options. The expected effects, side effects and duration of therapy will be discussed. You will be advised when to come back for a review an what tests you will need to get done before your next review.
What should you do?
Wear loose and comfortable clothes that are easy to open or unhook for examination- Depending on your complaints, the doctor might want to examine specific areas of your body like your breast, neck etc.
Try and be on time of before your appointment.
Keep water, a book or device and a light snack with you when you plan your doctors visit as there are likely to be unavoidable delays, so carry your food and medicines( e.g. insulin) so as to keep yourself comfortable.
Bring a friend or companion or caretaker to help with the appointment, they may be able to help you process the information conveyed by doctor.
Try not to bring children if you can, so that you can focus entirely on yourself and what you need to explain to the endocrinologist, rather than keeping a child entertained.
Write down a list of things you need to discuss.
Carry all relevant old prescriptions, imaging reports, blood reports, home monitoring records to share with the doctor. Keep your reports ready at the time of the appointment so that you are not searching your phone in the valuable with where u could be discussing your problems with the doctor.
Try and recall the dates or bring your menstrual diary(where you have written down/ recorded the dates of your menstrual cycles).
Recall all major surgeries you have undergone and any medications which you are allergic and inform the doctor.
Speak the truth-however uncomfortable, so that the doctor may help you.
Follow all the instructions carefully, if you have any doubts regarding the medications clarify it before leaving. Ensure you know what tests your need to get done before your next visit and the date of the next visit.
Be respectful to the doctor and the support staff, be assured that they’re trying their best to keep you comfortable.
Avoid changing your doctor very frequently as it takes some time for a doctor to understand how you respond to certain medications and your medical history. Changing doctors frequently with adversely affect your treatment as your medication strategy will keep getting changed before it has a chance to show its effects. Rather than changing the doctor try and improve communication with the doctor and trouble shoot ongoing problems.
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