Short answer: Dr. Om J Lakhani offers online consultations on Monday to Thursday, 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm, booked at consult.dromlakhani.com. They suit many people with diabetes, thyroid problems and other hormone conditions, especially for follow-up and for reviewing reports. Some problems still need an in-person examination, and emergencies always need a hospital.

Many people with hormone problems live far from a specialist, travel for work, or find it hard to take a day off for a clinic visit. India's Telemedicine Practice Guidelines allow registered doctors to consult by video, audio or text, with the same professional standards as an in-person visit. This guide explains how online consultation works in practice and how to get the most out of it.

Who is online consultation suitable for, and who should come in person?

Online consultation often works well for:

  • Follow-up of diabetes, when you can share recent reports and home glucose or sensor readings.
  • Thyroid problems, such as reviewing thyroid function tests and ongoing treatment.
  • Reviewing reports and getting a second opinion on a plan.
  • People living outside Ahmedabad or outside India, for whom regular travel is difficult.

An in-person visit is usually better when:

  • the doctor needs to examine you, for example a neck lump, a child's growth and puberty, or a foot wound in diabetes;
  • an on-site test or procedure is needed;
  • the diagnosis is still unclear and a full examination will help.

Your doctor may suggest an in-person visit if an online consultation shows that an examination is needed. The Telemedicine Practice Guidelines also expect the doctor to make that call when it is safest for you.

How do I book an online consultation?

Book at consult.dromlakhani.com and choose an online consultation. You can also call +91 73738 48848 for appointments. For general questions, you can send a WhatsApp message to +91 70160 34297 (queries only).

Dr. Om has recorded a short video walkthrough of the booking process: watch how to book an online consultation.

What should I prepare before the call?

Good preparation makes an online consultation almost as useful as an in-person one. Before your appointment:

  • Gather your reports in date order, especially recent blood tests such as HbA1c, thyroid tests, kidney and liver tests, and any scans. Clear photos or PDFs work well.
  • Keep a glucose log if you have diabetes: fasting and after-meal readings over the past one to two weeks, or your sensor report if you use a continuous glucose monitor.
  • Make a list of every medicine you take, including insulin, supplements and herbal products, or take clear photos of the strips.
  • Note your weight and blood pressure, if you can measure them at home.
  • Find a quiet, well-lit place with a stable internet connection, and keep your phone charged.
  • Write down your questions so you do not forget them during the call.

For help understanding your reports before the call, see the thyroid function test explained and what HbA1c means.

How do prescriptions and follow-up work?

After an online consultation, a prescription is issued in line with the Telemedicine Practice Guidelines. These guidelines limit which medicines can be prescribed online, so some treatments can only be started after an in-person visit.

Follow-up can be online or in person, depending on your condition. Your doctor will tell you which tests to do before the next visit, so that the results are ready when you talk.

Can I consult from outside India?

Many families with relatives abroad ask about this.

If you live abroad, please remember that a prescription from India may not be valid in your country of residence. Your local doctor may need to issue the prescription. Emergencies must always be handled by local emergency services.

When to see a doctor urgently

An online consultation is not for emergencies. If you have chest pain, severe breathlessness, fainting, confusion, very high sugar readings with vomiting or fast breathing, or a low sugar that does not improve, go to the nearest emergency department immediately, or call 108 or 112 in India (or your local emergency number abroad).

Read more

Book a consultation with Dr. Om J Lakhani at AB Plus Hospital, Ahmedabad, or online → consult.dromlakhani.com. Call +91 73738 48848 for appointments.

References

  1. Board of Governors in supersession of the Medical Council of India, with NITI Aayog. Telemedicine Practice Guidelines: Enabling Registered Medical Practitioners to Provide Healthcare Using Telemedicine. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India; 2020. eSanjeevani, MoHFW PDF
  2. Zhang J, et al. Effectiveness of synchronous teleconsultation for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care. 2023. PubMed
  3. American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee. 4. Comprehensive Medical Evaluation and Assessment of Comorbidities: Standards of Care in Diabetes-2026. Diabetes Care. 2026. PubMed