Before you arrive
Most NDs will ask you to complete an extensive intake form before the appointment — often 10 to 20 pages covering your full medical history, family history, current medications, supplements, sleep patterns, stress level, diet, exercise, and digestion. Fill it out thoroughly. The depth of your first visit depends on what's already in the form.
Bring any recent lab results, especially comprehensive metabolic panels, thyroid panels, and any specialty testing you've had done. If you take supplements, bring the actual bottles — exact dosages and brands matter.
Write down the top 3 things you want addressed before you go. First visits cover so much ground that it's easy to leave without having mentioned what brought you in.
The conversation
Expect a lot of questions you've never been asked at a doctor's office before. Sleep architecture, bowel habits, energy curves through the day, history of antibiotics, dental amalgams, water source, household stress. Naturopathic medicine looks for patterns — the questions are the diagnostic instrument.
What it costs
First visits typically run $250–$500 depending on city and practitioner experience. Insurance coverage varies widely — some plans cover NDs in states where they're licensed primary-care providers, many don't. Most NDs accept HSA/FSA. Labs are usually billed separately.