Your first endocrinology appointment: how to prepare

Before the visit

1. Confirm the basicsDate, location, insurance and referral. Large hospitals have several buildings, so check the exact address and entrance.
2. Gather your recordsAsk your primary care doctor's office to send the referral notes, recent blood tests and imaging reports.
3. Fill in the formsMany practices send forms through a patient portal in advance.
4. Ask about lab workSome practices want blood drawn before the visit, sometimes fasting. Ask when you book.

What to bring

• Photo ID, insurance card and referral details
• A list of all medications, vitamins and supplements, with doses
• Recent lab results and imaging reports, including older results if a condition has been followed for years
• For diabetes: your glucose meter, sensor or pump data, or access to the app that stores it
• Family history of thyroid disease, diabetes, osteoporosis or other hormone conditions
• Your questions, in order of importance

What usually happens during the visit

The endocrinologist will review your history, symptoms, medications and previous results, and examine you. For many conditions the first visit ends with a plan rather than a final answer: more blood tests, an ultrasound or other imaging, or a period of monitoring before a follow-up visit.

Endocrine care is often long-term. Ask how the practice handles results, how quickly they usually reply to portal messages, and who to contact between visits.

After the visit

• Book any tests and the follow-up visit before you leave, since schedules fill quickly.
• Check that a visit summary and results will be shared with your primary care doctor.
• Ask whether future follow-ups can be done by telehealth.
• Keep your own copy of results; it helps if you ever change doctors.

Getting to the appointment

Parking near the Longwood Medical Area and the MGH campus is limited and expensive. The Green Line E branch stops at Longwood Medical Area, the Red Line serves Charles/MGH, and the Orange Line stops at Tufts Medical Center. Allow extra time for security and check-in at large hospitals.