Patient Education Resources & Guides

Device setup guides, procedure prep instructions, sick day protocols, and condition-specific resources, all in one place.

on this page
Insulin Pump Setup & CGM Instructions
Prepare for Your FNA (Thyroid Biopsy)
Diabetes Sick Day Rules
Adrenal Insufficiency
other resources
New Patient Info
Established Patients
FAQ
procedure prep

Prepare for Your FNA (Thyroid Biopsy)

A Fine-Needle Aspiration (FNA) biopsy is a minimally invasive procedure used to evaluate thyroid nodules. Please review the guide below before your appointment.

Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy of the Thyroid - PDF

Official patient preparation guide, what to expect before, during, & after your thyroid biopsy

If you have questions about your scheduled biopsy or need to reschedule, please call our office at (703) 327-8510.

diabetes management

Diabetes Sick Day Rules

Illness can cause significant changes in blood sugar. These guidelines help you manage your diabetes safely when you're feeling unwell.

  1. Blood Sugar Changes When Sick
    If you get sick, your blood sugar can be hard to manage. You may not be able to eat or drink as much as usual, which can affect blood sugar levels. Your doctor may ask you to test your blood sugar more often when you're sick. That's because when your body releases hormones to fight the illness, those hormones can also raise your blood sugar levels and increase how much insulin you need. This is especially important for people with type 1 diabetes since they depend on insulin to live.
  2. Ketones and Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
    When your body doesn't have enough insulin, it starts breaking down fat as fuel, which produces ketones. When too many ketones are produced too fast, they can cause diabetic ketoacidosis, or DKA. DKA is very serious and can cause a coma or even death.
  3. Testing for DKA
    If you think you may have DKA, use an over-the-counter kit to test your urine for ketones. If ketones are present, call your doctor right away. You'll probably need to go to the hospital for treatment.
  4. Continue Your Medications
    When you are sick — even if your blood sugar is within your target range — continue taking your insulin and diabetes pills as usual.

For more information, please visit https://cdc.gov/diabetes/living-with/managing-sick-days.html

Adrenal Insufficiency

Patient education resources and sick day rules for adrenal insufficiency are coming soon. Please check back or contact our office for guidance.

Overview of Adrenal Insufficiency Management - PDF

Official patient guide, what you need to know if you have Adrenal Insufficiency