Chapter twoBefore a visit
What would getting care involve?
Bring the problem that led you here: pain, an injury, or a claim you want checked.
A visit is a chance to ask what is known, what is missing, and what else could help.
Take a question list
Where can I have that conversation?
A telehealth visit uses video, a phone call or messages sent online.
You can have a health concern assessed through a licensed telehealth service or at a clinic in person.
The letters FDA refer to the US agency that reviews medicines: the Food and Drug Administration.
Having a visit does not change TB-500's lack of US approval as of September 2026.
Can a pharmacy make it to order?
Compounding is the preparation of medicine by a pharmacy or doctor to meet a patient's needs.
HHS (the Department of Health and Human Services) proposes to withhold enforcement for TB-500 made on a patient's prescription by state-licensed pharmacies or licensed physicians. Its draft has conditions, excludes 503B outsourcing facilities and was published October 30, 2026.
These rules apply when a pharmacy or doctor prepares prescription medicine for a patient identified by name.
A group asked the FDA to allow TB-500 as a pharmacy ingredient, then took that request back.
The FDA page showing the withdrawn request says its information is current as of April 22, 2026; it does not give the withdrawal date.
Taking the request back did not give pharmacies permission to use TB-500.
Ask what law permits any specific offer; this guide does not identify a legal supplier of TB-500.
What can I bring to a visit?
Write down when the problem began and what has been tried.
Take a list naming your current medicines and supplements, plus any records you would like to discuss.
Ask about other options, an exam, tests and follow-up.
How do I check the doctor?
Before an online appointment, confirm that the doctor has permission to practise in the state you will be in for that appointment.
Guidance checked in September 2026 calls for a licence or permission from that state's medical board; state rules govern any exceptions.
Ask for the doctor's full name.
The state medical board can show whether a doctor holds a current licence and whether it has taken disciplinary action against them.
Disciplinary action means a penalty for breaking the board's rules, such as a restriction on the doctor's licence.
Follow the licence checkCan an online questionnaire be the whole visit?
The Federation of State Medical Boards brings together the state boards that oversee doctors.
Its guidance checked in September 2026 says a doctor must not prescribe based only on a questionnaire with a set list of questions.
That group of state boards calls for follow-up questions, including questions from the patient.
State rules still differ as of September 2026.
Are blood tests part of it?
TB-500 has no FDA-reviewed instructions telling a doctor which tests or warning signs to check before or during treatment, as of September 2026.
This means checks on your health, including any blood tests, rather than a research study of the medicine.
For online care, guidance calls for the doctor to arrange tests or an exam in person when needed to understand your health problem.
Which claims need a second look?
'FDA registered' means the maker has listed its business with the FDA.
An NDC (National Drug Code) number identifies a product in the government's drug list.
Neither proves that the FDA approved the product, under rules checked in September 2026.
A certificate of analysis is a supplier's report of tests on a product, not your blood-test results.
The FDA review checked in September 2026 noted important checks missing from one such TB-500 report.
It did not check for poisons made by bacteria, clumps of the substance or unwanted material.
A 'research use only' label means the product is meant for laboratory research, not treatment.
A seller must still follow drug rules when selling a product for treatment, even with that label, under rules checked in September 2026.
A doctor's involvement does not turn a research chemical into an approved medicine or make that label permission to treat people.
What does it cost?
Get the whole bill in writing.
As of September 2026, no approved TB-500 product has either a list price from its maker or a price published through a government drug program.
A list price is the price a drug maker publishes.
For a visit, ask what the total would cover:
- The first visit and later visits.
- Tests and any separate charges.
- A membership, its renewal terms and cancellation.
- What is refunded if no treatment is prescribed.
Ask your insurer about the visit and any proposed tests separately.
Chapter notes
- Medical board guidance on online visits (PDF)
How a doctor checks your health concern, answers questions and gets permission to practise in whichever state you are in for the visit.
- Medical board guidance on prescribing (PDF)
Patients need room to ask their own questions.
- FDA's review of TB-500 (PDF)
Why TB-500 does not meet pharmacy ingredient rules, which product tests were missing and why there are no reviewed instructions for health checks.
- FDA's list of withdrawn pharmacy requests
The group asking to use TB-500 as a pharmacy ingredient took its request back; the FDA did not grant permission.
- FDA approval records
There is no approved TB-500 product for which a drug maker could publish a list price.
- FDA's guide to National Drug Code numbers
A number in the government's drug list does not prove that the FDA approved the product.
Read the evidence. Keep your questions.
Evidence & printable list