Clinic Compass

Educational information only — not medical advice. Clinic Compass is not a doctor and does not provide diagnosis or treatment. Always confirm with a licensed clinician. In an emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

Symptom lookup

Symptom lookup

"I feel ___. What should I ask for?"

A short list of common symptoms and the bloodwork or screenings a walk-in clinician can order the same day. These are talking points to bring to a clinician, not a diagnosis. If your symptoms feel severe or sudden, call 911 instead of using this page.

Emergency signs — call 911 immediately: chest pain or pressure, sudden weakness or numbness (especially one-sided), face droop or slurred speech, difficulty breathing, severe or uncontrolled bleeding, seizure, loss of consciousness, or throat swelling. Do not search — call.

Fatigue / low energy

Fatigue has dozens of possible causes. People with ongoing fatigue commonly have anemia, iron stores, thyroid, and blood sugar checked — ask your clinician which of these fit your history.

People with this symptom commonly have these checked — ask your clinician
  • Complete Blood Count (CBC)
    "Can I get a CBC with differential? I don't have a family doctor tracking my baseline."
  • Ferritin (iron stores)
    "Can we add a ferritin to check my iron stores?"
  • TSH (thyroid)
    "Can we check my TSH? Fatigue, weight changes, and mood can all trace back to thyroid."
  • Hemoglobin A1c (diabetes screen)
    "I'd like an A1c to screen for prediabetes and diabetes."
  • Vitamin B12
    "Please add a B12 level."
  • Vitamin D (25-OH)
    "Can we check my 25-hydroxy vitamin D level?"
Also worth mentioning to your clinician
  • Ask for a resting pulse and BP reading
  • Ask about depression / sleep screening
Turn this into a printable prep sheet →

Unexplained weight loss

People with unexplained weight loss commonly have diabetes, thyroid, and basic metabolic labs checked before more invasive workup — ask your clinician what makes sense for you.

People with this symptom commonly have these checked — ask your clinician
  • Complete Blood Count (CBC)
    "Can I get a CBC with differential? I don't have a family doctor tracking my baseline."
  • Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
    "I'd like a CMP — kidney function, liver enzymes, electrolytes, and glucose."
  • TSH (thyroid)
    "Can we check my TSH? Fatigue, weight changes, and mood can all trace back to thyroid."
  • Hemoglobin A1c (diabetes screen)
    "I'd like an A1c to screen for prediabetes and diabetes."
Also worth mentioning to your clinician
  • Ask for a stool test if there's diarrhea or blood
  • Ask about a chest x-ray if there's cough
Turn this into a printable prep sheet →

Frequent thirst / peeing a lot

People with these symptoms commonly have A1c and a basic metabolic panel checked — ask your clinician.

People with this symptom commonly have these checked — ask your clinician
  • Hemoglobin A1c (diabetes screen)
    "I'd like an A1c to screen for prediabetes and diabetes."
  • Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
    "I'd like a CMP — kidney function, liver enzymes, electrolytes, and glucose."
Turn this into a printable prep sheet →

Palpitations or racing heart (not severe)

If pain is severe, radiates to arm/jaw, or comes with shortness of breath, call 911 — do not use this lookup. For non-emergency palpitations, people commonly have BP, an ECG, thyroid, and lipids checked — ask your clinician.

People with this symptom commonly have these checked — ask your clinician
  • Blood pressure check
    "Please check my blood pressure and tell me the numbers so I can track it."
  • Baseline ECG
    "Can I get a baseline ECG to keep on file?"
  • Atrial fibrillation check
    "I'd like to be checked for atrial fibrillation — pulse check or ECG."
  • Lipid panel (cholesterol)
    "Please order a fasting lipid panel — total, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides."
  • TSH (thyroid)
    "Can we check my TSH? Fatigue, weight changes, and mood can all trace back to thyroid."
Turn this into a printable prep sheet →

Persistent cough (3+ weeks)

People with a lingering cough commonly have a chest x-ray discussed; for long-term smokers 50+, low-dose CT screening is often raised — ask your clinician what fits.

People with this symptom commonly have these checked — ask your clinician
  • Low-dose CT (lung cancer)
    "I have a smoking history — I'd like a low-dose CT lung cancer screen."
Also worth mentioning to your clinician
  • Ask for a chest x-ray
  • Consider TB testing if travel or exposure history
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Change in bowel habits or blood in stool

People with new bowel changes or rectal bleeding commonly have iron/CBC checked and a FIT kit or colonoscopy referral discussed — ask your clinician, and don't wait for the next screening cycle.

People with this symptom commonly have these checked — ask your clinician
  • Complete Blood Count (CBC)
    "Can I get a CBC with differential? I don't have a family doctor tracking my baseline."
  • Ferritin (iron stores)
    "Can we add a ferritin to check my iron stores?"
  • Colorectal cancer screening
    "I'm due for colorectal screening. Can you order a FIT test, or refer me for a colonoscopy?"
  • Early colonoscopy (family history)
    "I have a first-degree relative with colon cancer — I need a referral for a colonoscopy."
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Headaches / brain fog

People with ongoing headaches or brain fog commonly have BP, thyroid, B12, iron, and blood sugar checked before imaging — ask your clinician.

People with this symptom commonly have these checked — ask your clinician
  • Blood pressure check
    "Please check my blood pressure and tell me the numbers so I can track it."
  • TSH (thyroid)
    "Can we check my TSH? Fatigue, weight changes, and mood can all trace back to thyroid."
  • Vitamin B12
    "Please add a B12 level."
  • Ferritin (iron stores)
    "Can we add a ferritin to check my iron stores?"
  • Hemoglobin A1c (diabetes screen)
    "I'd like an A1c to screen for prediabetes and diabetes."
Turn this into a printable prep sheet →

Depressed mood or anxiety

People with these symptoms commonly have a formal PHQ-9 (depression) and GAD-7 (anxiety) documented, and thyroid checked — ask your clinician.

People with this symptom commonly have these checked — ask your clinician
  • Depression, anxiety & minority-stress check
    "I'd like a mental health check — PHQ-9 / GAD-7. If you know of LGBTQ2S+-affirming counsellors, please share the list."
  • TSH (thyroid)
    "Can we check my TSH? Fatigue, weight changes, and mood can all trace back to thyroid."
Turn this into a printable prep sheet →

Erectile / libido changes

People with these changes commonly have hormones, blood sugar, and lipids checked — ask your clinician; vascular and endocrine causes are common and treatable.

People with this symptom commonly have these checked — ask your clinician
  • Hemoglobin A1c (diabetes screen)
    "I'd like an A1c to screen for prediabetes and diabetes."
  • Lipid panel (cholesterol)
    "Please order a fasting lipid panel — total, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides."
  • TSH (thyroid)
    "Can we check my TSH? Fatigue, weight changes, and mood can all trace back to thyroid."
Also worth mentioning to your clinician
  • Ask for total testosterone (morning draw) if libido changes
Turn this into a printable prep sheet →

Missed / heavy / painful periods

People with heavy or irregular periods commonly have iron stores and thyroid checked — ask your clinician.

People with this symptom commonly have these checked — ask your clinician
  • Complete Blood Count (CBC)
    "Can I get a CBC with differential? I don't have a family doctor tracking my baseline."
  • Ferritin (iron stores)
    "Can we add a ferritin to check my iron stores?"
  • TSH (thyroid)
    "Can we check my TSH? Fatigue, weight changes, and mood can all trace back to thyroid."
Also worth mentioning to your clinician
  • Ask about pelvic ultrasound if pain or heavy bleeding persists
Turn this into a printable prep sheet →

New lump, mole, or skin change

Bring photos with a date. Walk-in clinicians can refer to dermatology or biopsy — ask your clinician.

People with this symptom commonly have these checked — ask your clinician
  • Skin check
    "Can you look at any moles that have changed? I don't have a dermatologist."
Turn this into a printable prep sheet →

Numbness, tingling, or nerve pain (not sudden)

Sudden, one-sided numbness is a stroke red flag — call 911. For long-standing tingling, people commonly have B12, blood sugar, and a metabolic panel checked — ask your clinician.

People with this symptom commonly have these checked — ask your clinician
  • Vitamin B12
    "Please add a B12 level."
  • Hemoglobin A1c (diabetes screen)
    "I'd like an A1c to screen for prediabetes and diabetes."
  • Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
    "I'd like a CMP — kidney function, liver enzymes, electrolytes, and glucose."
Turn this into a printable prep sheet →

Unusual vaginal discharge or odor

People with these symptoms commonly have a swab (rather than guess-and-treat) and, if there are new partners, a full STI panel — ask your clinician.

People with this symptom commonly have these checked — ask your clinician
  • HIV & STI screening
    "Please run a full STI panel — HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia (including throat and rectal swabs if relevant), and hepatitis B & C."
Also worth mentioning to your clinician
  • Ask for a vaginal swab: wet mount / NAAT for BV, yeast, and trichomonas
  • Ask for gonorrhea + chlamydia NAAT (endocervical or self-collected vaginal swab)
  • Ask about pH testing if BV is suspected
Turn this into a printable prep sheet →

Vaginal itching, burning, or pain

People with these symptoms commonly have an in-person exam and swabs for infection (yeast, BV, STI, UTI) — ask your clinician, and don't accept a phone-only diagnosis for a visible sore.

People with this symptom commonly have these checked — ask your clinician
  • HIV & STI screening
    "Please run a full STI panel — HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia (including throat and rectal swabs if relevant), and hepatitis B & C."
Also worth mentioning to your clinician
  • Ask for a vulvovaginal exam and swab
  • Ask about urinalysis to rule out UTI
  • Ask about HSV (herpes) PCR if there's a sore or blister
  • Mention lubrication / atrophy if postmenopausal or on hormone therapy
Turn this into a printable prep sheet →

Abnormal vaginal bleeding (between periods or postmenopausal)

Postmenopausal bleeding — any bleeding after menopause — should be evaluated within days, not weeks. It's the most common early sign of endometrial cancer and needs pelvic ultrasound and endometrial assessment even if the amount is small. Heavy bleeding soaking a pad an hour, bleeding with dizziness or fainting, or bleeding during pregnancy — go to the ER now. People with these symptoms commonly have pelvic ultrasound, endometrial assessment, an STI check, and a Pap review discussed — ask your clinician.

People with this symptom commonly have these checked — ask your clinician
  • Complete Blood Count (CBC)
    "Can I get a CBC with differential? I don't have a family doctor tracking my baseline."
  • Ferritin (iron stores)
    "Can we add a ferritin to check my iron stores?"
  • Cervical cancer screening (Pap / HPV)
    "I have a cervix and I'd like a Pap and HPV test. If a speculum exam is uncomfortable, can we discuss self-collected HPV swabs?"
  • HIV & STI screening
    "Please run a full STI panel — HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia (including throat and rectal swabs if relevant), and hepatitis B & C."
Also worth mentioning to your clinician
  • Ask for pelvic ultrasound + endometrial biopsy referral if postmenopausal
  • Ask when your last Pap / HPV test was and whether you're due
Turn this into a printable prep sheet →

Pelvic pain (not sudden or severe)

Sudden severe pelvic pain — go to the ER. For persistent pain, people commonly have an STI panel, urinalysis, and pelvic ultrasound discussed — ask your clinician.

People with this symptom commonly have these checked — ask your clinician
  • HIV & STI screening
    "Please run a full STI panel — HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia (including throat and rectal swabs if relevant), and hepatitis B & C."
Also worth mentioning to your clinician
  • Ask for pregnancy test (beta-hCG) if possible pregnancy
  • Ask for urinalysis + culture
  • Ask for pelvic ultrasound referral
Turn this into a printable prep sheet →

Penile discharge, burning when peeing, or urethral pain

People with these symptoms commonly have STI testing (gonorrhea, chlamydia, mycoplasma) done before starting antibiotics — ask your clinician.

People with this symptom commonly have these checked — ask your clinician
  • HIV & STI screening
    "Please run a full STI panel — HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia (including throat and rectal swabs if relevant), and hepatitis B & C."
Also worth mentioning to your clinician
  • Ask for first-catch urine NAAT: gonorrhea, chlamydia, and mycoplasma genitalium
  • Ask about throat/rectal swabs if you have oral or anal sex
  • Ask for urinalysis to rule out UTI
Turn this into a printable prep sheet →

Sores, bumps, or rash on the genitals

People with these symptoms commonly have a visual exam plus swab and blood test (HSV, syphilis, HPV where relevant) — ask your clinician.

People with this symptom commonly have these checked — ask your clinician
  • HIV & STI screening
    "Please run a full STI panel — HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia (including throat and rectal swabs if relevant), and hepatitis B & C."
Also worth mentioning to your clinician
  • Ask for HSV PCR swab of the sore (only useful while lesion is fresh)
  • Ask for syphilis blood test (RPR or treponemal)
  • Ask about HPV wart treatment options (cryotherapy, podophyllotoxin, imiquimod)
Turn this into a printable prep sheet →

Testicular lump, swelling, or pain

Sudden severe testicular pain = ER (possible torsion). For a painless lump, people commonly have a scrotal ultrasound and, if a solid mass is found, tumour markers checked — ask your clinician the same week.

Also worth mentioning to your clinician
  • Ask for a scrotal ultrasound
  • Ask for urinalysis + STI panel if pain with peeing
  • Ask for tumour markers (AFP, beta-hCG, LDH) if a solid mass is found
Turn this into a printable prep sheet →

Erectile changes, low libido, or trouble climaxing

People with these changes commonly have diabetes, lipids, thyroid, and testosterone checked before jumping to a prescription — ask your clinician.

People with this symptom commonly have these checked — ask your clinician
  • Hemoglobin A1c (diabetes screen)
    "I'd like an A1c to screen for prediabetes and diabetes."
  • Lipid panel (cholesterol)
    "Please order a fasting lipid panel — total, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides."
  • TSH (thyroid)
    "Can we check my TSH? Fatigue, weight changes, and mood can all trace back to thyroid."
  • Blood pressure check
    "Please check my blood pressure and tell me the numbers so I can track it."
Also worth mentioning to your clinician
  • Ask for total testosterone (morning draw, ideally 2 samples)
  • Ask about prolactin and SHBG if testosterone is low
  • Mention any new meds — SSRIs, blood pressure meds, and finasteride all affect this
Turn this into a printable prep sheet →

Painful or difficult peeing

People with these symptoms commonly have a dipstick and urine culture done before antibiotics — ask your clinician for a sample-based diagnosis.

Also worth mentioning to your clinician
  • Ask for urinalysis + urine culture (with sensitivities)
  • Ask for STI NAAT if sexually active
  • Ask about prostate exam if 40+ with a prostate
Turn this into a printable prep sheet →

Contraception, Plan B, or pregnancy planning

Walk-in clinicians can prescribe most methods (pill, patch, ring, Plan B) and refer for IUD/implant insertion. For pregnancy planning, people commonly have pre-conception bloodwork — ask your clinician.

People with this symptom commonly have these checked — ask your clinician
  • HIV & STI screening
    "Please run a full STI panel — HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia (including throat and rectal swabs if relevant), and hepatitis B & C."
Also worth mentioning to your clinician
  • Ask for a BP reading before starting combined hormonal contraception
  • Pre-conception: ferritin, TSH, rubella + varicella immunity, folate, HIV, syphilis
  • Ask about emergency IUD insertion (most effective form of emergency contraception)
Turn this into a printable prep sheet →

Menopause / perimenopause symptoms

Diagnosis is clinical (not a blood test). People in this life stage commonly have hormone therapy eligibility, bone density, and cardiovascular risk reviewed — ask your clinician.

People with this symptom commonly have these checked — ask your clinician
  • TSH (thyroid)
    "Can we check my TSH? Fatigue, weight changes, and mood can all trace back to thyroid."
  • Lipid panel (cholesterol)
    "Please order a fasting lipid panel — total, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides."
  • Hemoglobin A1c (diabetes screen)
    "I'd like an A1c to screen for prediabetes and diabetes."
Also worth mentioning to your clinician
  • Ask whether MHT (menopausal hormone therapy) is appropriate for you
  • Ask for a bone density scan (DEXA) baseline
  • Vaginal dryness / painful sex: ask about local vaginal estrogen (very low systemic dose)
Turn this into a printable prep sheet →

Concern after unprotected sex or condom failure

Time-sensitive. HIV PEP works only if started within 72 hours; Plan B works best within 24 hours. People with this concern commonly have a baseline STI panel now with repeats at 2 and 12 weeks — ask your clinician.

People with this symptom commonly have these checked — ask your clinician
  • HIV & STI screening
    "Please run a full STI panel — HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia (including throat and rectal swabs if relevant), and hepatitis B & C."
  • PrEP / DoxyPEP conversation
    "I'd like to talk about HIV PrEP, and DoxyPEP for bacterial STI prevention."
Also worth mentioning to your clinician
  • Ask about HIV PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) — must start within 72 hours
  • Ask about emergency contraception if pregnancy possible
  • Book a repeat STI panel at 2 weeks and again at 12 weeks
Turn this into a printable prep sheet →

Sore, tender, or swollen breasts

Most breast pain is cyclical and hormonal. People with new, persistent, one-sided, or non-cyclical pain commonly have a clinical breast exam and, sometimes, targeted imaging — ask your clinician.

Also worth mentioning to your clinician
  • Ask for a clinical breast exam
  • Note whether pain is cyclical (with periods) or constant
  • Ask about imaging (ultrasound if <30, mammogram +/- ultrasound if 30+) for focal or persistent pain
  • Mention any new hormonal contraception, HRT, or SSRIs
Turn this into a printable prep sheet →

Breast lump or thickening

People with a new lump, thickening, or area that feels different commonly have diagnostic imaging arranged (not just routine screening) — ask your clinician and don't wait for the next screening cycle.

Also worth mentioning to your clinician
  • Ask for a clinical breast exam and diagnostic imaging referral (not just screening)
  • Under 30: ultrasound first. 30+: mammogram + ultrasound
  • Ask what triggers a biopsy referral and the expected timeline
  • Mention any family history of breast, ovarian, or prostate cancer
Turn this into a printable prep sheet →

Nipple discharge or changes

People with spontaneous, bloody, or one-sided discharge — or a newly inverted nipple — commonly have prolactin and/or imaging discussed — ask your clinician promptly.

People with this symptom commonly have these checked — ask your clinician
  • TSH (thyroid)
    "Can we check my TSH? Fatigue, weight changes, and mood can all trace back to thyroid."
Also worth mentioning to your clinician
  • Ask for prolactin level if discharge is milky and you're not breastfeeding
  • Ask for imaging if discharge is bloody, clear, or from a single duct
  • Mention any medications (antipsychotics, some antidepressants raise prolactin)
Turn this into a printable prep sheet →

Skin changes on the breast

People with dimpling, puckering, orange-peel texture, persistent redness, or eczema-like nipple changes commonly have urgent breast imaging arranged — ask your clinician within days, not weeks.

Also worth mentioning to your clinician
  • Ask for urgent breast imaging (mammogram + ultrasound)
  • Ask whether a skin punch biopsy of the nipple is warranted for eczema-like changes
  • Photograph the change to track progression
Turn this into a printable prep sheet →

Chest tissue lump or tenderness (people with chest tissue)

Anyone with chest tissue — including men, trans men post-top surgery (residual tissue), and non-binary folks — can develop breast cancer or gynecomastia. People with a new lump commonly have a clinical exam and ultrasound arranged — ask your clinician.

Also worth mentioning to your clinician
  • Ask for a clinical exam and ultrasound
  • Cis men: ask about testosterone, estradiol, LH, prolactin if gynecomastia is bilateral
  • Trans men post-top surgery: residual tissue can still develop cancer — mention surgical history
  • Mention any anabolic steroid, spironolactone, or estrogen use
Turn this into a printable prep sheet →

This is not medical advice. Clinic Compass is an educational tool to help you prepare for a walk-in visit. It does not create a doctor–patient relationship, does not diagnose or treat any condition, and is not a substitute for the judgement of a licensed healthcare professional who knows your history. Never delay, avoid, or change medical care because of something you read here. In an emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

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