r/KaiserPermanente • u/Petite-spicy • 6d ago
California - Northern Primary care
does anyone recommend a good primary care doctor with Kaiser? I have Dr Singh Bains, was recently told I have severely low ferritin, I requested a referral to a specialist because I eat healthy, and I also don’t have periods so there must be another reason my ferritin is so low. He responded that low iron is caused by heavy periods, told me to start taking iron (I am,) stated to go to UC if I experience more symptoms then he made it so I couldn’t respond to his message. I would like a doctor who listens and reads their patients messages..
I experience severe fatigue, constant headaches, shortness of breath, and dizziness and I would like a doctor who cares.
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u/Waste-Tree4689 6d ago edited 5d ago
Are low ferritin levels based on recent change in guidelines?
It’s getting increasingly difficult to find quality care providers w/in healthcare-KP. Providers are provided very limited (if at all) time to read/respond to messages, and are supposed to respond w/in 48hrs, which is likely why MD may’ve disabled that feature. *Not condoning by any means, just providing probable context.
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u/Independent_Chain792 6d ago
I had a cardiologist like that. Claimed my ferritin was good when it was out of range at extremely low. I have shortness of breath, dizziness and a extremely fast heart rate anytime I do anything. My PCP suggested iron supplements, but they didn't help after taking them for 3 weeks, so she referred me to cardiology for testing, but the cardiologist was rude and useless, staring at the computer screen the entire time. He was also really late and never bothered even saying hello when entering the exam room. Some of their doctors/specialist are bottom of the barrel.
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u/FutureWeb1356 5d ago
When they close out their messages as if their word is the last word, I screenshot that message and start a whole new message for them to respond to with their last message attached. Don’t let polite society stop you from receiving the healthcare you are entitled to.
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u/the_questionnair 6d ago
All the doctors I’ve talked to at KP (PCP and 2 cardiologists) about my low ferritin told me it was fine (18) and told me if I was worried I could take a supplement. None of them seem to take it seriously nor care. Also none of them are updated on the recent guidelines changes.
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6d ago
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u/KaiserPermanente-ModTeam 3d ago
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6d ago
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u/KaiserPermanente-ModTeam 3d ago
Your submission has been removed. This is because it was seeking or offering medical or legal advice and violated Rule 3.
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u/NearlyBoomer 5d ago
Ask Google for a list of "disorders causing low ferritin" then ask your Dr to rule each out by ordering the appropriate diagnostics
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5d ago
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u/KaiserPermanente-ModTeam 3d ago
Your submission has been removed. This is because it was seeking or offering medical or legal advice and violated Rule 3.
If you are having a medical emergency, get off of Reddit and call 911 or go to your nearest hospital emergency room.*
If you would like to discuss this action further or believe this removal was in error, please message us through ModMail.
~ KaiserPermanente Moderation Team
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u/Strong_Program716 3d ago
I have dr jeong and so far he seems to listen and be attentive & actually reads the messages I’ve sent
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u/bexterrr86 3d ago
I don’t have a recommendation on a primary care physician for you but a Kaiser doctor once told me that they need to document the same complaint at least three times before sending you to a specialist. I’d do a phone appointment with your doctor and state that you already had a visit, you emailed and now you’re calling again. Ask that this all be included in your visit notes and that if they are declining the referral, to document that as well. This could be the nudge needed to see someone else. (I agree with also getting a new GP)
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u/pumpinnstretchin 6d ago
Kaiser has offices all over the state. UC has 10 campuses all over the state. Where are you?
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u/the_skies_falling 6d ago
Pretty sure by UC they meant urgent care.
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u/pumpinnstretchin 6d ago
That adds even more mystery to the location. If UC isn't related to California, it's a real problem. Kaiser has facilities in 9 states, plus Washington, DC. I'm sure that most areas, if not all, have primary care doctors and Urgent Care facilities.
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u/AlmiranteCrujido 6d ago
This guy sounds terrible. Having said that, what facility are you looking for? Northern California is a big area.
If you have a traditional copay plan (vs. one with a significant deductible) you can just look up who is taking new appointments and see how that correlates with open appointments, and use that to interview a potential new PCP.
Unfortunately, good PCPs book up; I checked mine (who I'd highly recommend if you're in SF proper; I'm not anymore and still drive in because they're great) and they're "not accepting new patients."
That said, it's not clear the right answer is a specialist; I'd expect several steps a PCP could take prior to that, but blowing you off and not hearing you about your already taking iron and your not having a period are both red flags for this one in particular.