Excellent article Mehmet! Not enough publicity about iatrogenic disease and fatalities. Patient beware! I picked my PCP over 20 years ago because I wanted -- all things being equal -- a physician who would outlive me, and he's gone "boutique" on me which is very annoying! But I see one of the PAs in his office who consults with him, so I feel he has my back. I have always wanted a "collaborator" not an "authority" telling me what to do. We are, after all, the experts when it comes to our own bodies!
Hi Dr. Yildiz. I know what you mean about conflict with evidence based medicine designed to work over a large population. When you're out of range they want to put you on medication right away. I just had my doctor prescribe thyroid medication without asking any questions about why I might be a little low. I did two minutes of research and realized it's likely because I eat very few carbs and am often in ketosis. It was the same with my cardiologist about my high LDL, no questions about my diet, even though I had the LMH pattern. Luckily he is very respectful of my choices but prescribed a medication that pulls LDL out of the colon. I just didn't pick it up. But it's hard to not lose my nerve. My CAC score doubled (to 200), and I almost lost my nerve, before researching and learning that soft plaque conversion to hard plaque will do that on a keto diet. I've been my own doctor since EMs showed up at my house (three days after I started statins) occasioned by my having a full blown seizure. I noticed my doctor never reported this as a potentially deadly side effect. Instead I was forced to get neurological testing with my driver's license under threat, as if it couldn't be the statins. I was fine. I did modify my keto, starting my eating in the afternoon with a big salad, with lots of vegetable fats. :-) Keep up the good work.
As I worked in the healthcare industry for half a century I am aware of these challenges. I personally approach mental health holistically as drugs are only one aspect of the solutions. There are much more we need to consider like lifestyle, diet, social connections, relationships, environmental factors and more. I feel sorry about the situation of Malhotra which seems to be a victim of sensational media which confuses and misleads the public, Thank you for writing this impactful story. I admire the clarity and passion in your piece.
This story felt like a déjà vu, bringing back countless frustrating debates I've had with GPs who barely grasp the complexities of lipids. My LDL levels have consistently been on the higher end, but my son, a caring cardiologist who cares deeply about my health—driven by the tragic premature death of my father—focuses on much more than just LDL. He diligently monitors my calcium score, insulin sensitivity, hormones, triglycerides, and various metabolic markers, just as you’ve highlighted in your piece.
I follow Dr. Aseem Malhotra closely, and I can attest that his commitment to accurate information stems from personal tragedy—his own parents, both medical professionals, suffered due to medical complications. This has fueled his mission to provide sound advice to patients, and he is by no means peddling snake oil. Yet, the media sensationalism has unjustly tarnished his career and credibility.
This situation is not just disappointing; it’s infuriating. The pervasive censorship—both overt and covert—in media regarding genuine health discussions must change. It’s time for the truth to break through the noise. I also responded to your reader on that comment as he was right for feeling that way. Thanks for writing this exceptional story. I hope Medium curators boost this story as most readers would enjoy these types of original, insightful, and memorable stories. I hope Dr Malhotra sees this story and tweets it as he has a massive following there. He even challenges Elon Musk and Elon gives him a voice there.
For those who don't know Dr. Aseem Malhotra is an award-winning consultant cardiologist and one of the world's most influential campaigning doctors. Based at the HUM2N Clinic in London, he is globally regarded for his expertise in evidence-based medicine, obesity, coronary artery disease, and preventive cardiology. Dr. Malhotra graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 2001 and has since become a medical game-changer, enlisting celebrities like Jamie Oliver and Steven Gerrard in his crusade to improve public health.
Thank you for writing this eye-opening story Dr Yildiz. It also reflects my experiences with my GPs. I always struggled in the healthcare system and never got any healing so far. I liked you educational audio very much.
I watched a video where a lady takes a binder of all her medical reports, test results, and diagnosis to every doctor's appointment. And a GP commented on how helpful that was. In this age of EMRs, this might be the new norm. Eye-opening.
GRACIAS Y FELICES
FELICES
Excellent article Mehmet! Not enough publicity about iatrogenic disease and fatalities. Patient beware! I picked my PCP over 20 years ago because I wanted -- all things being equal -- a physician who would outlive me, and he's gone "boutique" on me which is very annoying! But I see one of the PAs in his office who consults with him, so I feel he has my back. I have always wanted a "collaborator" not an "authority" telling me what to do. We are, after all, the experts when it comes to our own bodies!
Hi Dr. Yildiz. I know what you mean about conflict with evidence based medicine designed to work over a large population. When you're out of range they want to put you on medication right away. I just had my doctor prescribe thyroid medication without asking any questions about why I might be a little low. I did two minutes of research and realized it's likely because I eat very few carbs and am often in ketosis. It was the same with my cardiologist about my high LDL, no questions about my diet, even though I had the LMH pattern. Luckily he is very respectful of my choices but prescribed a medication that pulls LDL out of the colon. I just didn't pick it up. But it's hard to not lose my nerve. My CAC score doubled (to 200), and I almost lost my nerve, before researching and learning that soft plaque conversion to hard plaque will do that on a keto diet. I've been my own doctor since EMs showed up at my house (three days after I started statins) occasioned by my having a full blown seizure. I noticed my doctor never reported this as a potentially deadly side effect. Instead I was forced to get neurological testing with my driver's license under threat, as if it couldn't be the statins. I was fine. I did modify my keto, starting my eating in the afternoon with a big salad, with lots of vegetable fats. :-) Keep up the good work.
As I worked in the healthcare industry for half a century I am aware of these challenges. I personally approach mental health holistically as drugs are only one aspect of the solutions. There are much more we need to consider like lifestyle, diet, social connections, relationships, environmental factors and more. I feel sorry about the situation of Malhotra which seems to be a victim of sensational media which confuses and misleads the public, Thank you for writing this impactful story. I admire the clarity and passion in your piece.
This story felt like a déjà vu, bringing back countless frustrating debates I've had with GPs who barely grasp the complexities of lipids. My LDL levels have consistently been on the higher end, but my son, a caring cardiologist who cares deeply about my health—driven by the tragic premature death of my father—focuses on much more than just LDL. He diligently monitors my calcium score, insulin sensitivity, hormones, triglycerides, and various metabolic markers, just as you’ve highlighted in your piece.
I follow Dr. Aseem Malhotra closely, and I can attest that his commitment to accurate information stems from personal tragedy—his own parents, both medical professionals, suffered due to medical complications. This has fueled his mission to provide sound advice to patients, and he is by no means peddling snake oil. Yet, the media sensationalism has unjustly tarnished his career and credibility.
This situation is not just disappointing; it’s infuriating. The pervasive censorship—both overt and covert—in media regarding genuine health discussions must change. It’s time for the truth to break through the noise. I also responded to your reader on that comment as he was right for feeling that way. Thanks for writing this exceptional story. I hope Medium curators boost this story as most readers would enjoy these types of original, insightful, and memorable stories. I hope Dr Malhotra sees this story and tweets it as he has a massive following there. He even challenges Elon Musk and Elon gives him a voice there.
For those who don't know Dr. Aseem Malhotra is an award-winning consultant cardiologist and one of the world's most influential campaigning doctors. Based at the HUM2N Clinic in London, he is globally regarded for his expertise in evidence-based medicine, obesity, coronary artery disease, and preventive cardiology. Dr. Malhotra graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 2001 and has since become a medical game-changer, enlisting celebrities like Jamie Oliver and Steven Gerrard in his crusade to improve public health.
Thank you for writing this eye-opening story Dr Yildiz. It also reflects my experiences with my GPs. I always struggled in the healthcare system and never got any healing so far. I liked you educational audio very much.
I watched a video where a lady takes a binder of all her medical reports, test results, and diagnosis to every doctor's appointment. And a GP commented on how helpful that was. In this age of EMRs, this might be the new norm. Eye-opening.