Patient Resources

Patient Handouts &
Reference Guides

Downloadable guides, lab preparation instructions, glucose logs, and disease references — reviewed by our board-certified endocrinologists. Click any handout to open or download the PDF.

Lab Preparation

Lab & Procedure Instructions

Follow these instructions before your lab tests for accurate, reliable results. Please read these before your appointment — bringing incorrect samples may require you to repeat the test.

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How to Take Your Thyroid Medication

Correct timing, what to avoid, and how to maximize levothyroxine absorption.

📄 PDF

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24-Hour Urine Collection

Step-by-step instructions for completing an accurate 24-hour urine collection.

📄 PDF

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Saliva Collection (Late-Night Cortisol)

Instructions for late-night salivary cortisol testing — timing and preparation.

📄 PDF

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ACTH Stimulation Test Instructions

How to prepare for your cosyntropin/adrenal function test, including which medications to hold.

📄 PDF

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PCOS Lab Instructions

When to test, fasting requirements, and which medications to discuss before hormone labs.

📄 PDF

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Calcium & Vitamin D Guide

Daily calcium goals, food sources, supplement tips, and vitamin D guidance for osteoporosis patients.

📄 PDF

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Radioactive Iodine (RAI) Preparation

Low-iodine diet, medication instructions, and radiation safety guidelines for I-131 treatment.

📄 PDF

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ACTH Stimulation Test Instructions

How to prepare, which medications to hold, and what to expect during the cortisol stimulation test.

📄 PDF

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1mg Dexamethasone Suppression Test

Step-by-step instructions, timing, what to avoid, medication interactions, and result interpretation.

📄 PDF · New

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FibroScan Preparation — Fatty Liver Test

Fasting rules, what to avoid, what to expect, and how to read your CAP and liver stiffness scores.

📄 PDF · New

📚 More Resources Online

Explore Our Full Education Library

These handouts are printable summaries. For the complete interactive guides — including a bolus calculator, CGM setup videos, and in-depth medication articles — visit our education library at endocrine.plus/education

Visit Education Library →

Insulin & Diabetes

Insulin Dosing & Diabetes Tools

Practical reference guides for insulin users — calculating doses, managing sick days, treating low blood sugar, and using your CGM. Print these and keep them in your diabetes kit.

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Insulin-to-Carb Ratio & Correction Factor

What ICR and CF mean, how to estimate them with the 500 & 1800 rules, and a fill-in table for your personal ratios by meal.

📄 PDF · Dosing Reference

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Bolus Calculator & Sick Day Rules

Step-by-step mealtime dose calculation, insulin stacking / IOB explained, and which medications to hold when sick or vomiting.

📄 PDF · Dosing + Safety

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Hypoglycemia — The 15-15 Rule & Glucagon

Recognizing low blood sugar by severity, 15g fast-carb options, the 15-15 rule, and how to use Baqsimi, Gvoke, and Zegalogue.

📄 PDF · Emergency Guide

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Insulin Types & Timing Reference

Onset, peak, and duration for every rapid-acting and basal insulin — including Afrezza (inhaled) — plus storage and injection tips.

📄 PDF · Reference Chart

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CGM Quick Start & Clinic Code Reference

How to share FreeStyle Libre and Dexcom data with our clinic (code: diabetesplus), plus Time in Range targets.

📄 PDF · CGM Setup

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Insulin Planning Guide

Types of insulin, onset and duration, basal vs. bolus, correction doses, and your personal insulin plan.

📄 PDF

Quick Reference

Disease Reference Handouts

One-page reference guides for common endocrine conditions. Print these and keep them handy — especially the emergency guides.

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How to Treat Low Blood Sugar

The 15-15 rule, fast-acting carbohydrate options, glucagon use, and when to call 911.

📄 PDF · Emergency Guide

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Adrenal Insufficiency Guide

Sick day rules, stress dosing, adrenal crisis signs, and medical alert recommendations.

📄 PDF · Emergency Guide

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Cushing's Syndrome

Symptoms, diagnosis process, testing explained, and treatment options by cause.

📄 PDF

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Hirsutism (Excess Hair Growth)

Causes of unwanted hair in women, blood tests to expect, and medical and cosmetic treatment options.

📄 PDF

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Endocrine Causes of High Blood Pressure

When hormones drive hypertension — aldosteronism, pheochromocytoma, Cushing's, thyroid, and when to be tested.

📄 PDF

Tracking Tools

Blood Glucose Logs

Print these logs and bring them to every appointment, or take a photo and send via your patient portal. Consistent tracking helps your doctor adjust your treatment more precisely.

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Blood Glucose Log — Standard

14-day log with before/after meal readings, bedtime, and notes column. Includes target ranges.

📄 PDF · Printable

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Blood Glucose Log — Pregnancy

3-week log for gestational diabetes with tighter pregnancy targets. 4 readings per day.

📄 PDF · Printable

Recursos en Español

Spanish Language Resources

Recursos de educación médica en español para nuestros pacientes hispanohablantes. / Medical education resources in Spanish for our Spanish-speaking patients.

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