What to expect at Endocronoligist appointment?

[Holly In RI]

I made one today, and the earliest they can get me in is Feb 12. I was just wondering what to expect my first visit.

I am really clueless, my regular doctor (a new doc to me) really had not helped me AT ALL, so I went ahead and made an appointment for someone who at least SPECIALIZES in it! I feel better about having that appointment already.

Thanks

[Nannerjoe]

I made one today, and the earliest they can get me in is Feb 12. I was just wondering what to expect my first visit.

I am really clueless, my regular doctor (a new doc to me) really had not helped me AT ALL, so I went ahead and made an appointment for someone who at least SPECIALIZES in it! I feel better about having that appointment already.

Thanks

When I go see my endocrinologist, the routine usually goes like thus:
The nurse weighs me, takes my bp, and checks my blood sugar.
Doc comes in and wants to see my blood sugar log and she studies that pretty good and makes adjustments to my insulin if necessary.
She always examines my eyes good and has me take off my shoes and socks and she gives my feet and toes a good going over.
She listens to my heart.
And we talk about what's been going on with me as far as the diabetes goes.

I'm so glad I changed Dr.'s and started going to an endocrinologist. She's great.

[KickStart101]

My first appt. with him, he did a physical(mine that is :D ).
I had to lie down on the bed and he poked all over my
abdoman and each time asked if it hurt. He checked my
feet and did the tuning fork test. He also banged on my
kidneys, checked my eyes, ears, inside my mouth.
Listened to my heart, put the stethescope on my back and
asked me to breathe in and hold it then out several times.
(I had to fill out a questionaire before I saw him which asked
all the meds. I was on, etc. The Nurse also took my blood
pressure and weight). He asked about my operations,
pregnancies and how they went and about the Kids.
Then he checked my logbook and meter. We went over my
dosages and meals. Then he asked if I had any questions, if
I needed any prescriptions, and gave me a sheet of tests of
my blood and urine. We both asked questions through most
of the examination also. The other visits are shorter, of course.
He also gave me papers to get a an appointment with the Nurse
and Dietician.

[kgm0612]

I'm happy to read you made an appointment and that you were able to get in pretty quickly! Which endo did you decide to go with?

On every visit, the assistant takes my BP & pulse, weighs me, checks my BS (I test myself using my own meter), notes all the medications I am taking and gives me a copy of my lab work.

My endo comes in, he asks how I'm feeling and if I'm having any problems, asks when I last saw a foot and eye doctor, goes over my sheet with ALL my blood sugars listed, we go over my lab work, asks if I'm still walking every night, and how far, he feels the glands in my neck, makes me swallow to check my thyroid, listens to my heart & lungs, checks my feet & feels for a pulse, has me lay down on the table and feels my abdomen and looks at my infusion site. He makes changes, if necessary, and asks me what Rx's I need for refills. I make my next appointment for 3 months, but can call him any time, day or night if any problems come up.

Good luck, Holly!

Karen

[anniedee3249]

:hello: This is my first posting. I am so new to diabetes that they are deciding which med to start with. Sounds like metformin may become my friend.

I was reading your forum, and since I go regularly to my regular doctor, are you saying it would be better to go to an endocrinologist?

[sydneya]

My first endo appointment was 1 1/2 hours long. He spent a lot of time with my numbers and diet. A lot, and I mean a lot, of counseling. I had a list of questions and a month of numbers and menus. After the first it still is an hour long. Of course, he checks the feet each time. Goes over the numbers and how I feel. He sees me monthly now because of new meds, etc. After I'm settled in it'll be every three months going over lab work and normal feet check.

[Holly In RI]

I'm happy to read you made an appointment and that you were able to get in pretty quickly! Which endo did you decide to go with?

On every visit, the assistant takes my BP & pulse, weighs me, checks my BS (I test myself using my own meter), notes all the medications I am taking and gives me a copy of my lab work.

My endo comes in, he asks how I'm feeling and if I'm having any problems, asks when I last saw a foot and eye doctor, goes over my sheet with ALL my blood sugars listed, we go over my lab work, asks if I'm still walking every night, and how far, he feels the glands in my neck, makes me swallow to check my thyroid, listens to my heart & lungs, checks my feet & feels for a pulse, has me lay down on the table and feels my abdomen and looks at my infusion site. He makes changes, if necessary, and asks me what Rx's I need for refills. I make my next appointment for 3 months, but can call him any time, day or night if any problems come up.

Good luck, Holly!

Karen

Karen,

I think it is Dr. Krauss. I just called and went into the operator and said I need to make an appointment and I do not have a doctor there, and they did the rest. I will get some stuff in the mail

I do not know what you all mean about lab work, etc as I only will have the paperwork from my regular doctor. Is that what they go over? Or will they order me bloodwork to be done? I am nervous about going, but also feeling better that I can see someone who specializes in this stuff, as my doctor told me NOTHING, and I really feel left out in the cold. I have been doing a lot of research on my own, eating smarter, and taking my meds. February 12th cannot come quick enough!

[Cyborg]

My endo sends me hope with a script for bloodwork for the next visit. I get the bloodwork done a few days before my appt. During the appt, the endo will go over the lab results after the nurse checks my blood pressure. The endo will ask how I'm doing and what meds I'm taking, but never asks for bg logs as the a1c kinda tells it all. My endo is also a diabetic pumper so it's easy to ask him pump questions and easy to relate.

[am1977]

This is the routine for me...

The medical ***'t. takes me to the scale (:eek: ) , then leads me to the examining room where she takes my bp, pulse, and my blood sugar reading/ A1c. She then asks me a few brief questions about meds I take and then tells me that the doctor will be in shortly.

The doctor comes in... we chat for a bit. He asks me how I'm doing and what problems I'm having if any. Then he does a short exam, checks my feet, and for nerve damage, and we discuss if changes need to be made.

It's pretty painless... so you have nothing to worry about.

Let us know how it goes :)

[kgm0612]

Holly............the group has their own lab at the office from what I understand. Before I left my endo appointment in December, I asked him for a slip for blood work. As I mentioned to you before, my endo is joining this practice as of Feb 1st. He told me no slip was necessary because they had a lab and would do all the testing when I arrived for my appointment.

Don't be nervous............I'm sure Dr Krauss will be thourough and order all the blood work she's going to need.

Karen