By Dr. Shari Andrews
You made the appointment. You showed up. You got your blood pressure checked. Maybe somebody ordered some labs.
And then you walked out thinking, Wait…was that it?
Your annual check-up should be more than a box you check once a year. It is one of your best opportunities to step out of “fix it when something breaks” mode and actually look at your health before a problem becomes a crisis.
But here is the part nobody tells patients: the quality of that visit depends partly on what you bring to the table.
Your doctor should guide the visit, of course. But you know what happened in your body during the other 364 days of the year. If you prepare ahead of time, you are much more likely to leave with answers, a preventive plan, and a clear understanding of what comes next.
First: know what an annual check-up is actually for
An annual visit is usually a chance to review your overall health, medical history, medications, vital signs, lifestyle, mental health, family history, immunizations, and preventive screenings.
It is also a chance to identify risks you may not feel yet. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and some cancers can develop quietly. You can feel perfectly fine while something important is changing underneath the surface.
That is why preventive care matters.
But preventive care does not mean every person needs every blood test, scan, vitamin level, hormone panel, or cancer test every year. Appropriate screening depends on your age, sex, anatomy, medications, pregnancy history, family history, personal medical history, exposures, and other risk factors.
So instead of walking in asking for “all the labs,” a better question is: “What screening do I need based on my age and risk factors?”
Before the appointment, make a one-page health cheat sheet
You do not need a binder thick enough to qualify as a weapon. Keep it simple.
Write down your current medications and supplements, including doses if you know them.
List any medication allergies or reactions.
Know your major diagnoses, surgeries, hospitalizations, and specialists.
Bring any important home readings you have been tracking, such as blood pressure, blood sugar, weight changes, heart rate, or symptom logs.
Update your family history. A parent or sibling developing colon cancer, breast cancer, heart disease, diabetes, or another major condition may change what screening is appropriate for you.
And write down the three most important things you want to discuss. If you show up with 19 unrelated concerns, it may be impossible to address all of them safely and thoughtfully in one preventive visit. Prioritize the issues that matter most and ask whether a separate follow-up visit is needed for the rest.
Symptoms you should actually mention
Please do not save important symptoms for the parking lot because you decided they were “probably nothing.”
Mention new, persistent, recurrent, or worsening symptoms—even if they seem embarrassing, vague, or unrelated.
That can include unexplained weight loss or gain, persistent fatigue, changes in sleep, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, palpitations, headaches, fainting, dizziness, changes in bowel habits, blood in the stool or urine, persistent abdominal symptoms, urinary changes, abnormal bleeding, new lumps, changes in your skin, changes in your menstrual cycle, sexual health concerns, mood changes, anxiety, depression, memory concerns, or pain that keeps returning.
You do not have to diagnose yourself. Your job is to describe what is happening as clearly as you can: when it started, how often it happens, what makes it better or worse, how severe it is, and whether it is changing.
Screening conversations worth having
The exact tests you need are individualized, but your annual visit is a good time to make sure the major preventive-care categories have been reviewed.
Blood pressure: High blood pressure often has no symptoms. Ask what your reading means, whether it has been trending upward, and whether you should monitor it at home.
Cholesterol and cardiovascular risk: Depending on your age and risk factors, your clinician may recommend lipid testing and may use that information with factors such as blood pressure, smoking history, and diabetes status to estimate cardiovascular risk.
Diabetes screening: Blood glucose or hemoglobin A1c screening may be appropriate depending on age, weight, pregnancy history, medications, family history, and other risk factors.
Colorectal cancer screening: Average-risk adults generally begin screening in midlife, but family history or other risk factors can mean starting earlier. Screening is not limited to colonoscopy; there are multiple approved strategies.
Breast cancer screening: If you have breasts, ask when mammography should begin or continue for you and whether your family history or breast density changes the plan.
Cervical cancer screening: If you have a cervix, ask whether you are due for HPV testing, a Pap test, or another recommended screening strategy based on your age and prior results.
Lung cancer screening: Some adults with a significant smoking history may qualify for annual low-dose CT screening. This is very different from getting a routine chest X-ray.
Sexual health and infectious-disease screening: HIV, hepatitis C, and testing for sexually transmitted infections may be appropriate depending on your age, history, pregnancy status, and risk factors. Do not assume your clinician automatically knows what testing you want or need—have the conversation.
Mental health: Anxiety, depression, substance use, chronic stress, and poor sleep are health issues too. Your annual physical is absolutely an appropriate place to discuss them.
Vaccines: Review whether you are current on recommended vaccines. Adult vaccine needs change with age, health conditions, pregnancy, travel, occupation, and prior vaccination history.
And yes, talk about the stuff people avoid talking about
Your doctor cannot help with information they do not have.
Be truthful about smoking or vaping, alcohol, cannabis or other substances, sexual activity, contraception, pregnancy plans, erectile or vaginal symptoms, bowel habits, sleep, stress, diet, exercise, and whether you are actually taking your medications the way they were prescribed.
If you stopped a medication because it made you feel terrible, say that. If you cannot afford it, say that. If you take it three days a week instead of seven, say that too.
We cannot make a good plan using bad data.
Questions worth bringing with you
You do not need to ask every question below. Pick the ones that apply to you.
“Based on my age and history, what screenings am I due for?”
“Are any of my blood pressure, weight, cholesterol, blood sugar, or other trends concerning?”
“Do any changes in my family history affect my screening plan?”
“Do I still need all of my current medications?”
“Could any of my medications or supplements be interacting with each other?”
“Are there vaccines I am due for?”
“What is the one health change that would make the biggest difference for me this year?”
“When should I follow up, and what should make me come back sooner?”
Before you leave, make sure you know the plan
Do not leave with a vague “we’ll see what the labs show” if you do not know what happens next.
Ask how you will receive results. Ask which results require follow-up. Ask whether you need referrals. Ask when you should return. If a medication is changing, make sure you understand what is changing and why.
And if your clinician explains something in medical language that does not make sense, say, “Can you explain that to me in plain English?”
That is not being difficult. That is informed healthcare.
The Teeny Dose
Your annual check-up works best when you treat it like a conversation, not an oil change.
Bring your history. Bring your questions. Mention what changed. Ask what you are due for. Understand your numbers. And before you leave, know the plan.
You do not need to become your own doctor.
You do need to become an active participant in your own healthcare.
That little bit of preparation can turn a routine visit into one of the most useful appointments you have all year.
— Dr. Shari
Helping you get healthy, stay healthy, and bounce back when you’re not…one teeny dose at a time.
Keep going: If your labs come back and the numbers are confusing, read How to Make Sense of Confusing Lab Results. If you need more time or clarity after a rushed visit, see Feeling Rushed at the Doctor’s Office?. And if important uncertainty remains around a diagnosis or treatment plan, read How to Know If You Need a Second Opinion on Your Diagnosis.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Preventive screening recommendations vary based on age, medical history, anatomy, medications, family history, and individual risk factors. Discuss your personal screening plan with your healthcare professional. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, seek emergency medical care.
TeenyDose is your resource for navigating the healthcare world, providing general health and wellness information to help patients and providers make informed decisions. This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Every individual’s health is unique, and what you read here may not be specific to your situation. Always consult with your primary care provider or a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns. If you love what you read here, don’t be selfish—share it with your friends. We’d love to hear from you if you have suggestions or wish to be a contributor.
Visit www.shariandrews.com and www.peakpulse.health for wellness solutions and personalized concierge services. I’m your partner in prioritizing health and making sense of your healthcare journey.
