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Frequency of Doctor Visits

These are suggested guidelines for how often you should see your doctor based on medical condition. Following this table is another table of suggested frequency of doctor visits for other purposes, such as physical exams and Pap smears.


Medical
Condition		 Frequency of
Doctor Visits
(Months)		 Frequency of
Lab Tests
(Months)		 Frequency of
Refills
(Months)
High Blood Pressure 6 12 12
High Cholesterol 6 3 3
Diabetes 3 3 12
Heart Disease 6 6 12
Depression 12 12
Anxiety 12 12
Migraines 6 12
Thyroid Disease 12 6 12
Asthma 12 12
Attention Deficit Disorder 12 1
Emphysema 6 12
Heart Failure 3 3 12
Arthritis 6 12
Kidney Disease
(Mild)		 6 3 12
Kidney Disease
(Moderate)		 3 1 12
Acid Reflux 12 12
Anemia 6 6 12
Irritable Bowel Syndrome 6 12
Osteoporosis 12 12 12
Stroke 6 12
Rheumatoid Arthritis 3 3 6
Acne 2 12
Weight Loss Program 1 1
Chronic Pain 1 1
Smoking Cessation Program 1 1

Frequency of General Physical Examinations

These are suggested guidelines for how often you should get a full physical, based on age. See elsewhere in this website for a listing of everything that is done at a general physical examination visit.


Age Frequency of General Physical Examinations
Less than 2 Years of Age 4 days, 2 weeks, 1 month, 2 mo, 4 mo, 6 mo, 9 mo, 12 mo, 15 mo, 18 mo
2-21 Years of Age Annually
22-39 Years of Age
With No
Chronic Conditions		 Every 5 Years
40-49 Years of Age
With No
Chronic Conditions		 Every 3 Years
50 Years of Age and Above Annually
Any Age with Chronic Conditions Annually

Other Reasons for Periodic Doctor Visits

These are suggested guidelines for how often you should see your doctor for the purposes listed.


What Who Purpose Frequency of Doctor Visits
Pap Smear Sexually active women Prevent Cervical Cancer Annually
Cholesterol Screening Test All over 18 Prevent Heart Disease Annually
Prostate Exam Men over 50 Prevent Prostate Cancer Annually
Men over 40 with a family
history of prostate cancer
Colonoscopy Anyone over 50 Prevent Colon Cancer Starting at age 50, then
every 10 years if no problems
were found
Mammogram Women over 35 Prevent Breast Cancer Every 2 years until age 50, then annually
Breast Exam Women over 35 Prevent Breast Cancer Annually
Diabetes Screening Test All who are obese
and adults with a family
history of diabetes		 Prevent Diabetes Annually