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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffYou're likely to start by first seeing your family doctor or a general practitioner. However, you may then be referred to a doctor who specializes in hormonal disorders (endocrinologist).
Because appointments can be brief, and there's often a lot of ground to cover, it's a good idea to be well prepared for your appointment. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your doctor.
What you can do
- Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. At the time you make the appointment, be sure to ask if there's anything you need to do in advance, such as stop taking medications that might interfere with some tests. However, don't stop taking any of your usual medications without consulting your doctor first.
- Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
- Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.
- Make a list of all medications, as well as any vitamins, supplements or over-the-counter cold medicines, that you're taking, and take that list with you.
- Compile a family medical history, paying particular attention to who in your family has had high blood pressure, pheochromocytoma or another endocrine system disorder.
- Ask a family member or friend along, if possible. Sometimes it can be difficult to remember all the information provided to you during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
- Write down questions to ask your doctor.
Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions ahead of time will help you make the most of your time together. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For pheochromocytoma, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
- What's the most likely cause of my symptoms?
- Are there other possible causes for my symptoms?
- What kinds of tests do I need? Do these tests require any special preparation?
- Is this condition temporary or long lasting?
- What treatments are available?
- Do you recommend surgery?
- What are the risks associated with surgery?
- What is my prognosis if I have the surgery?
- Are there any alternatives to the primary approach that you're suggesting?
- If I have other health conditions, how can I best manage them together?
- Are there any restrictions on foods or medications that I need to follow?
- Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing me?
- Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me? What Web sites do you recommend visiting?
- Could anyone else in my family be affected?
In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment at any time that you don't understand something.
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you want to spend more time on. Your doctor may ask:
- When did you first begin experiencing symptoms?
- Have your symptoms been continuous, or do they occur sporadically?
- How severe are your symptoms?
- Does anything seem to improve your symptoms?
- What, if anything, appears to bring on or worsen your symptoms? Are they worse if you're upset or anxious?
- Does anyone else in your family have a history of pheochromocytoma or another endocrine system disorder?
- Neumann HP. Pheochromocytoma. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2902847. Accessed Feb. 20, 2009.
- Young WF, et al. Clinical presentation and diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 20, 2009.
- Fitzgerald PA. Endocrine disorders. In: McPhee SJ. Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment. Los Altos, Calif.: Lange Medical Publications. 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=14198. Accessed Feb. 20, 2009.
- Pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma. In: Kronenberg HM, et al. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/121640013-2/0/1555/94.html. Accessed Feb. 20, 2009.
- Hebert CJ, et al. Hypertensive crises. Primary Care. 2008;35:475. Accessed Feb. 21, 2009.
