Before Your Visit
Pro Tip
Prepare a day or two ahead: update your medication list, jot down symptoms, and bring any recent labs or specialist notes.
Gather Your Medical Information
- List medications and supplements with doses and frequency.
- Update your medical and family history (new diagnoses, surgeries, vaccines).
- Bring recent blood tests, imaging, or specialist reports for review.
- Write down new symptoms or changes in sleep, mood, energy, appetite, or skin.
- Bring your insurance card, photo ID, and any clinic forms.
During Your Visit
What to Expect
Most annual exams include a physical exam and a discussion about preventive care and wellness goals:
- Vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, weight, BMI) and head-to-toe exam
- Review of medications and medical/family history
- Lifestyle discussion (diet, activity, sleep, alcohol, tobacco)
- Mood and mental health check-in
- Vaccination review (flu, tetanus/Tdap, shingles, COVID as indicated)
- Orders/referrals for labs and preventive screenings
Ask the Right Questions
Bring your question list and use it. Good prompts include:
- Am I due for any preventive screenings or vaccinations?
- Are my lab results in range? What trends should we watch?
- How does my family history change my risk or screening plan?
- Would changes to sleep, diet, or activity help my goals?
- Should we adjust medications or address side effects?
- What is the next step for my new symptoms?
Remember
It's okay to ask for plain language and summaries. Your provider wants you to understand the plan.
Common Labs & Screenings
- Blood tests: CBC, CMP, lipid panel, fasting glucose or A1c, thyroid (TSH ± T4), and vitamins (D, B12, iron) when indicated.
- Screenings (based on age/risk): mammogram, Pap/HPV, colorectal screening, bone density, prostate screening.
After Your Visit
Follow Through
Schedule any tests, review your visit summary, and set reminders for follow-ups. Call your clinic if anything is unclear.
Important
Follow fasting instructions if labs are ordered. Avoid alcohol the day before and skip caffeine an hour before your appointment for more accurate measurements.