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Navigating Your Lab Visit: Be Prepared and Informed

August 11, 2025 | Education

Lab visits can be challenging— but with the right plan, you can make them a little less stressful, so you can focus on your health, not the hassle!

by Kimberly Dorris, GDATF Executive Director

(This post addresses navigating the actual lab visit – check the links at the end for resources on specific tests).

Ah, 2020. What a time to be a thyroid patient. I was due for lab tests that spring, and with “six feet apart” not exactly feasible for a blood draw, my local laboratory started offer curbside testing. The first time, this new process worked like a charm. The phlebotomist rolled her little cart right up to my car window, and I stuck my arm out. The whole process took about as long as a thorough hand washing. (OK, maybe a little longer – say, three or four rounds of “Happy Birthday”).

The next time I had labs due, I made another curbside appointment. This one didn’t go so well. I’ll spare you the graphic details, but if you’ve ever had a difficult blood draw, imagine that – except with your left arm hanging out of a car window. I went back to in-person lab tests after that experience (although even today, I still mask up before entering that tiny waiting room packed from wall to wall with a sea of sniffling, hacking humanity).

Are your own blood draws easy breezy – or is the experience more challenging? Either way, routine lab testing is an important part of our care for hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. The test results provide critical feedback on how well our treatment is working (or not working) and help guide our next steps.

The Timing: Before or After Your Endocrinologist Appointment?

So which comes first – your doctor’s appointment or your labs?

Some patients have labs done during each office visit with their endocrinologist, and the results (and any dosing changes) are provided in a few days via phone or online patient portal. Some patients end up in this type of routine due to office policy or insurance requirements, but I’m not a fan of this approach.

The other option is to have blood drawn prior to the doctor’s appointment. (The doctor’s office can provide a paper lab slip in advance or transmit the order electronically to the laboratory.) I personally prefer this option, as it allows me to spend the office visit discussing the test results, asking questions, and making sure I’m clear on dosing recommendations before I leave.

My local lab posts results to an online patient portal so I can review the results (and compare them to prior labs) before my endocrinologist appointment. I like being able to do this at my own pace, rather than feeling rushed to process new information during the office visit (and inevitably thinking of several important questions during the drive home).

I also appreciate that my local lab switched to online appointment booking a few years ago. No more walking in and waiting for up to an hour with that sniffling and hacking (not to mention hungry and cranky) sea of humanity!

The Pre-Lab Checklist Every Thyroid Patient Needs

Before getting labs done, be sure to ask your doctor:

Should I take my medication before or after the lab test?
Do I need to be fasting?
Should I stop taking specific supplements prior to the test? If so, for how many days? (For example, biotin is known to skew thyroid function test results.)
How many days before the appointment should I get the labs done? (Unless your doctor does labs during the office visit).
For electronic lab orders, which provider’s name is on the order? (The lab will use this to help locate your order, so this is especially important to confirm if your endocrinologist works with a nurse practitioner or a physician’s assistant – or if a different provider filled in on your last visit.)

While many patients prefer morning appointments, trying to squeeze in labs before starting the work day can definitely be extra hectic! To take some pressure off, try to check these items off your to-do list the day before:

Make sure your insurance card is in its usual spot (wallet, purse, etc.).
For paper lab orders: place the lab slip someplace where you won’t forget it (purse, briefcase, etc.)
Double check the name of the doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant who placed the order.
If you’ve made an appointment with a new lab, check the address and figure out the approximate travel time (allowing extra time for checking in and navigating potential traffic delays.)
Plan your wardrobe accordingly. Avoid tight long-sleeved tops that will be hard to get your arm out of. In addition, the Mayo Clinic recommends staying warm prior to your blood draw, so consider adding a jacket that can be easily removed.
Set an alarm on your phone so you don’t head straight to work on autopilot!

Emily Boynton (writing for UW Medicine’s “Right as Rain” digital publication) recommends focusing on hydration starting the day before your appointment, and then continuing to sip water the morning of your appointment. It’s one of the best tips for ensuring an easier blood draw.

Hate Needles? You’re Not Alone!

Still feeling a little anxious about the needle stick? You’re not alone! Harvard Health reports that up to 25% of adults experience fear of needles. Coping strategies can include doing breathing exercises or finding a mental distraction. (My lab has brightly colored tube caps and file folders on the wall – I try to pick out all the colors of the rainbow.) If you need a little more support, consider discussing your concerns with your phlebotomist or bringing a companion to the appointment. If your fears are severe enough to interfere with recommended health care like lab tests or vaccines (there’s a name for that – trypanophobia), talk to your doctor.

Should You Watch? What the Experts Say

Depends on who you ask. Dr. Michele Bedard-Gilligan, a clinical psychologist at the UW Medical Center – Roosevelt Psychiatry Clinic says that by “looking away from the injection or distracting yourself, you can subtly reinforce the idea that needles are dangerous.”

However, Dr. Robert H. Shmerling (a rheumatologist and a current member of the corresponding faculty in medicine at Harvard Medical School) disagrees: “Don’t watch! It’s not helpful to watch all of the preparation for the needle stick or see the needle itself. Watching may make things worse.”

Your own mileage may vary – but I’m with Dr. Shmerling on this one. It’s important to be informed before your lab visit (be sure to check out the additional resources below), but in this case, I think ignorance is bliss.

Was this blog post helpful to you? Did we miss your favorite tip for navigating your labs? Let us know! Fill out the Contact Form on our website and select “I Have a Suggestion / I’d Like to Provide Feedback”.