How to Prepare for Your Telehealth Endocrinology Appointment
A telehealth endocrinology appointment can be just as productive as an in-person visit — with a lot more convenience. There’s no need to take hours off work, spend time driving to and from a clinic, or sit in a waiting room. Instead, you can meet with your endocrinologist from the comfort of your own home.
And just like an in-person visit, a little preparation can go a long way. Taking a few minutes beforehand to gather your information, review your symptoms, and think through your questions can help your endocrinologist better understand your health and make the most of your time together.
To help, we’ve put together a simple 8-step checklist to make your telehealth endocrinology appointment as productive as possible.
1. Gather your medical information
Before your appointment, have any relevant medical information nearby, including:
Recent lab results
Imaging reports, if applicable
Notes from other healthcare providers
Previous endocrine records
Having these available gives your endocrinologist a more complete picture of your health and may help avoid unnecessary repeat testing.
If you don’t have everything, don’t worry. Bring what you have and let your care team know about any tests or records that may be relevant.
2. Track your symptoms
Before your appointment, take a few minutes to write down what you have been experiencing.
It can be helpful to note:
When your symptoms started
How often they occur
Whether they have changed over time
What seems to make them better or worse
Any other recent changes in your health
Depending on why you are seeing an endocrinologist, symptoms worth mentioning may include fatigue, weight changes, heat or cold intolerance, increased thirst or urination, hair or skin changes, or changes in sleep or mood.
Even symptoms that seem minor may provide useful context, so don’t be afraid to mention them.
3. Make a medication list
Prepare a complete list of everything you currently take, including:
Prescription medications
Insulin, if applicable
Vitamins
Supplements
Hormone therapies
Include the name, dose, and how often you take each medication whenever possible.
And be sure to mention if you take biotin, since it can interfere with the results of certain laboratory tests.
Having your actual medications nearby during a telehealth appointment can also be useful — if there is any uncertainty, you can simply show your endocrinologist the packaging or label.
4. If you wear a CGM, connect your data
If you use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), connecting your device data to your endocrine clinic before your appointment can make the visit significantly more useful.
Depending on your device, you may be asked to share your data through platforms such as Dexcom Clarity or LibreView.
Before your visit, take a look at your glucose data and think about:
Frequent highs or lows
Patterns you have noticed
Times of day when your glucose is harder to manage
How meals, exercise, sleep, or other factors affect your glucose
Any concerns or fears you have about your diabetes management
Your glucose trends give your endocrinologist valuable information and can help guide a more personalized conversation about your care.
5. Check your insurance coverage
Before your visit, it is helpful to confirm your insurance eligibility and understand your coverage.
If medications, a CGM, insulin pump, or another device may be part of your treatment plan, you may also want to check whether your insurance covers them and whether prior authorization is required.
Knowing this information ahead of time can help you and your endocrinologist consider treatment options that work not only medically, but practically and financially as well.
If you’re unsure about your coverage, the eddii care team can help you understand your insurance benefits.
6. Share your preferences
Your treatment plan should work for your life — not just look good on paper.
Tell your endocrinologist what matters to you. For example:
Do you have a CGM or other device you prefer?
Are there medications you would rather use or avoid?
Are you concerned about particular side effects?
Is cost an important consideration?
Is there a treatment you have tried before that did or didn’t work for you?
Would you prefer a treatment that is easier or more convenient to use?
Being open about your preferences helps your endocrinologist understand what is realistic for you and develop a plan you feel comfortable following.
7. Prepare your questions
It is surprisingly easy to forget the questions you wanted to ask once an appointment begins. Writing them down beforehand can help make sure you cover what matters most to you.
You might want to ask:
What could be causing my symptoms?
What tests do I need?
What do my lab results mean?
What treatment options are available?
Are there lifestyle changes that could help?
When should I follow up?
What should I watch for between appointments?
There is no question too small to ask. If something about your health is worrying or confusing you, bring it up.
8. Get ready for the telehealth visit itself
Finally, a few practical preparations can make your appointment run much more smoothly.
Before your visit:
Test your internet connection
Make sure your camera and microphone are working
Join from a quiet, private space whenever possible
Keep your medications nearby
Have your glucose meter, CGM app, or insulin pump available if applicable
Keep a notebook or your phone nearby to take notes
Try to log in a few minutes early so that a technical issue doesn’t eat into your appointment time.
A small amount of preparation means you can spend less of your visit looking for information or troubleshooting technology — and more of it talking about your health.
Make the most of your appointment
The goal of an endocrinology visit is not simply to review numbers or prescribe medication. It is to understand what is happening with your health, discuss what matters to you, and build a treatment plan that fits your needs and goals.
Preparing ahead can help you and your endocrinologist do exactly that.
And remember, your care doesn’t have to end when the appointment does. If you still have questions, want to discuss how your treatment is going, or have new lab results or other information you’d like to share, ask to schedule a follow-up appointment. Ongoing endocrine care is often a conversation, not a one-time visit.
Your health. Your goals. Your care.
If you are looking for an endocrinologist, eddii provides virtual adult and pediatric endocrine care, allowing you to meet with an endocrine specialist from the comfort of your home. Endocrine care, from the comfort of home
If you are looking for an endocrinologist, eddii provides virtual adult and pediatric endocrine care, allowing you to meet with an endocrine specialist from the comfort of your home.
Adult endocrinology care is currently available in: Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and Wyoming.
Pediatric endocrinology care is currently available in: Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, and Washington.
That means eddii currently provides virtual endocrinology care across 20 states and jurisdictions, with availability varying between adult and pediatric care.
Ready to see an endocrinologist?
Book through the eddii app on iOS or Android, or visit eddii.care to get started.
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