Before the visit
Give the person treating you the whole picture.
Bring a list instead of relying on memory. Put your reason for seeking care at the top, followed by medicines, past health problems and questions.
Write down what you take
Include names from the labels, even when you are unsure why an item matters. Ask the person treating you to go through the list with you.
- Prescription medicines and medicines from the store.
- Supplements and any other weight treatments.
- Past medicine reactions and what happened.
- Questions about combining treatments.
Bring health and test questions
The tirzepatide labels connect the following history topics to treatment warnings, as recorded on September 26, 2026.
- Thyroid cancer in you or your family, and known inherited thyroid conditions.
- Past pancreas, gallbladder or serious stomach problems.
- Diabetes medicines and eye problems linked to diabetes.
- Birth control pills, pregnancy plans and planned surgery.
Ask what testing adds
As of September 26, 2026, general federal law does not require a blood test before every prescription. That does not decide whether you need one before tirzepatide. The decision depends on your health and state rules.
State medical board guidance says the person assessing you must arrange tests or an in-person exam if they are needed to decide about your care.
- What would this test help you decide?
- Can you use a result I already have?
- Who orders the test and explains the result?
- What would the test cost, and is it part of the care fee?
Sources for this chapter
Use these sources to check the answers above. Bring any questions to the person treating you.