My purpose as a doctor is to help people reclaim their health.
Unfortunately, some physicians lose sight of this goal.
Maybe they refuse to adapt to modern medical research. Perhaps they’re overwhelmed and don’t have the capacity to meet your needs.
Either way, the truth is that your doctor should be working in your favor. If they’re not helping you reach your health goals, they’re not a fit for your needs.
So is it time to fire your doctor and hire another?
Here are five ways to tell.
1. They’re not measuring the right things
Good doctors keep a proactive eye on your health — not just prescribe reactive treatments. They are also strong advocates of regular blood work and deeply invested in monitoring your numbers.
This includes the five basic factors of metabolic heath:
- Blood pressure: The average adult should be under 130/85.
- Blood sugar: This should be less than 100 mg/dL.
- Waist circumference: Below 40 inches for men and below 35 inches for women.
- Triglycerides: Below 150 mg/dL is acceptable.
- HDL cholesterol: This should be greater than 40 mg/dL for men and greater than 50 mg/dL for women.
If your doctor isn’t measuring all five of these, they may not have what it takes to support your metabolic health goals.
This may also be the case if they don’t measure your numbers correctly. For example, while there is a significant connection between metabolic syndrome and cholesterol, LDL is not the sole cause of metabolic syndrome or heart disease.
If your doctor hasn’t assessed your CRP and only discusses LDL, it may be time to consider a new physician.
2. They’re not on board with your goals
It should feel natural to discuss metabolic health goals with your doctor. They should be a trusted member of your healthcare entourage, after all.
Unfortunately, not all doctors fit this description. Some may seem distant or ‘checked-out’ of your care plan, which is never a good thing in a patient-practitioner relationship.
Others may even prevent you from reaching the goals you want to achieve. I can’t tell you how many patients say their doctor refused referring for a CAC scan.
If you find your PCP standing between you and your goals, or if they seem largely disinterested in furthering the conversation, you may want to look for a different provider (preferably one with a track record of partnership).
3. They don’t listen to you or answer your questions
This is one of the biggest red flags I see in medical professionals.
Because less time talking and more time listening is the only formula for patient success.
- Only one in three patients had the opportunity to speak when their doctor is in the room
- Even then, most only spoke 11 seconds before getting interrupted
- Just one in five specialty doctors asked their patients what is wrong
Even if you do find a doctor who listens, it may be difficult to find one to investigate unconventional symptoms. More than half of us feel doctors dismiss or ignore serious symptoms. For complex presentations like metabolic syndrome, this is unacceptable.
To summarize: if your doctor is hesitant to answer questions or seems annoyed you’re ‘taking up too much time,’ immediately find a new provider. This healthcare relationship is not going to serve you well.
4. They aren’t willing to look at you as an individual
Everyone’s healthcare journey will look somewhat different, even if their goals appear similar on the surface. If both you and your spouse want better metabolic health, for example, you may take different strategies to get there.
Good PCPs take a personalized approach to metabolic health, which ultimately shapes the goals and objectives set along the way. They should be supportive, invested, and willing to brainstorm ideas to help you achieve measurable success.
But not all doctors do this, unfortunately.
Let’s look at type 2 diabetes as an example, which is one of the most common chronic diseases in the US. Some doctors propose it’s 100% genetic, which means they may be quicker to prescribe insulin than discuss the harmful impact of processed foods.
Others may prescribe cookie-cutter treatment plans that may or may not have a positive effect on your blood sugar. Some doctors recommend fully vegan diets — even if low-carb high-protein diets would be better for your specific needs.
The hard truth is that many chronic diseases are reversible. This is true of type 2 diabetes, obesity, and many others.
The key is to partner with a doctor who gets it (which means not suggesting medication as the only way to treat chronic disease).
5. They aren’t transparent with you
A well-researched doctor can back up their treatments with peer-reviewed medical research, credentials, and professional development.
If you can’t find any information about their background or résumé, you have to wonder whether or not they’re coming from a place of science.
Be careful about trusting self-proclaimed ‘experts’ on social media. Be especially careful of celebrity doctors. Their incentives may not always be transparent, and their industry credentials may be dubious at best.
I strive for 100% transparency in my medical practice.
If you ever want to know my opinion on something, you can tag me on X at @ifixhearts to get an honest answer.
How to vet a new primary care provider
Choosing the right doctor can feel overwhelming, especially if you’ve been with the same one for years. But remember: picking a PCP is a business decision. And no one has as much stake in your health as you do.
Want more guidance while looking for the perfect fit? You’re welcome to use my free vetting guide for additional advice on weighing your options.